In this companion to her Gemstone Buying Guide, Newman, a gemologist and author of other gem and jewelry guides, offers a guide to rare gemstones used in jewelry and their identification, geographic sources, cleaning and care, quality evaluation, retail price ranges, and treatments. Information is given for their chemical formula, characteristics from luster to toughness to crystal shape, and color, cut, clarity, carat, and history. Color photos show gems set in jewelry as well as loose. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
A full-color guide to identifying, evaluating and caring for rare and unusual gems, including information on their identification properties, history, geographic sources, treatments, imitations, durability, uses, and pricing.