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Gemstones of the World


Newly Revised Fifth Edition

Gemstones of the World
Only $24.99
Gemstones of the World is one of the most popular books ever written about gems and gem materials. Over one million copies have been sold. The book contains 320 pages. About 1/3 of them contain basic information about gemstones. The other 2/3 of the pages are dedicated to descriptions and photos of individual gems and gem materials. It includes photos of 1900 gems in rough and polished states. Written for high school level and up.

The book is written for people who have no special training in geology or gemology. It explains how and where gems are found, how gems are mined, how they are cut, how some of them are treated, their physical properties, and how they are used by people. We use this book for learning and reference weekly. If we could have just one book about gems, this would be it!


Gemstones of the World
Table of Contents

  Preface
7
  Introduction
8
    Gemstones and Their Influence
8
    Terminology
10
    The Nomenclature of Gemstones
12

Origin and Structure of Gemstones

14
    Crystal Systems
17

Properties of Gemstones

20
    Hardness
20
    Cleavage and Fracture
24
    Density and Specific Gravity
25
    Weights Used in the Gem Trade
30
    Optical Properties
31
        Color
31
        Color of Streak
32
        Changes in Color
33
        Refraction of Light
36
        Double Refraction
40
        Dispersion
41
        Absorption Spectra
44
        Transparency
48
        Luster
48
        Pleochroism
49
        Light and Color Effects
52
        Luminescence
55
    Inclusions
58

Deposits and Production of Gemstones

61
    Types of Deposits
62
    Mining Methods
64

Cutting and Polishing of Gems

68
    Engraving on Stones
69
    Cutting and Polishing Agate
70
    Cutting and Polishing Colored Stones
71
    Cabochon Cutting
71
    Faceting
72
    Ball Cutting
74
    Cylinder Cutting
75
    Drilling Gemstones
76
    Cutting and Polishing Diamond
77
    Types and Forms of Cut
79
        Types of Cut
79
        Forms of Cut
80

Classifications of Gemstones

82
        Scientific Classification
82
        Commercial Classification
84

Value of Gemstones

85

Description of Gemstones

85

Best-Known Gemstones

86
    Diamond
86
        Diamond Occurrences
88
        Diamond Production
89
        Diamond Trade
90
        Valuation of Diamonds
92
        Famous Diamonds
94
        Development of the Brilliant Cut
96
    Corundum Species
98
        Ruby
98
        Sapphire
102
    Beryl Species
106
        Emerald
106
        Aquamarine
110
        Precious Beryl
112
    Chrysoberyl
114
    Spinel
116
    Topaz
118
    Garnet Group
120
    Zircon
124
    Tourmaline Group
126
    Spodumene Species
130
        Hiddenite
130
        Kunzite
130
    Quartz
132
        Rock Crystal
132
        Smoky Quartz
132
        Amethyst
134
        Amethyst Quartz
134
        Citrine
136
        Prasiolite
136
        Rose Quartz
138
        Aventurine
138
        Prase
138
        Blue Quartz
138
        Quartz Cat's-Eye
140
        Hawk's-Eye
140
        Tiger's-Eye
140
        Chalcedony
142
        Carnelian
142
        Sard
142
        Chrysoprase
144
        Bloodstone
144
        Dendritic Agate
146
        Moss Agate
146
        Agate
148
        Layer Stones
158
        Jasper
162
        Petrified Wood
164
    Opal Species
166
    Jade
170
    Peridot
174
    Zoisite Species
176
        Tanzanite
176
        Thulite
176
        Anyolite
176
    Hematite
178
    Pyrite
178
    Feldspar Group
180
        Amazonite
180
        Moonstone
180
        Orthoclase
180
        Labradorite
182
        Aventurine Feldspar
182
    Rhodochrosite
184
    Rhodonite
184
    Turquoise
186
    Lapis Lazuli
188
    Sodalite
190
    Azurite
190
    Malachite
192

Lesser-Known Gemstones

194
    Andalusite
194
    Euclase
194
    Hambergite
196
    Iolite
196
    Phenakite
196
    Dumortierite
198
    Danburite
198
    Axinite
198
    Benitoite
200
    Cassiterite
200
    Epidote
200
    Idocrase
202
    Sinhalite
202
    Kornerupine
202
    Prehnite
204
    Petalite
204
    Scapolite
204
    Diopside
206
    Beryllonite
206
    Brazilianite
206
    Amblygonite
208
    Enstatite
208
    Lazulite
208
    Dioptase
210
    Apatite
210
    Sphene
210
    Kyanite
212
    Scheelite
212
    Variscite
212
    Fluorite
214
    Hemimorphite
214
    Smithsonite
214
    Sphalerite
216
    Cerussite
216
    Chrysocolla
216
    Serpentine
218
    Stichtite
218
    Ulexite
218
    Tiger's-Eye Matrix
218

Gemstones for Collectors

220

Rocks as Gemstones

244
    Onyx Marble
244
    Tufa
244
    Landscape Marble
244
    Orbicular Diorite
246
    Obsidian
246
    Moldavite
246
    Alabaster
248
    Agalmatolite
248
    Meerschaum
248
    Fossils
248

Organic Gemstones

250
    Coral
250
    Jet
252
    Cannel Coal
252
    Ivory
252
    Odontolite
252
    Amber
254
    Pearl
256
    Operculum
265
    Mother-of-Pearl
265

Imitation and Synthetic Gemstones

266
    Imitations
266
    Combined Stones
267
    Synthetic Gemstones
267
    Treatment
271
    Genuineness Test for Diamond
274

New on the Market

276

Symbolic and Beneficial Gemstones

283
    Cosmic-Astral Symbolic Stones
283
    Medicinal Stones
287
  Bibliography
293
  Table of Constants
295
  Index
312