Diamonds (The Fred Ward Gem Book) [Paperback]

Fred Ward (Author), Charlotte Ward (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1993 | Series: The Fred Ward Gem Book

Part of the Fred Ward Gem Book Series. This lavishly illustrated book in the all-color series includes History and Lore, Hunt for Treasure, Romancing the Stone, Jewels and Artifacts, Synthetic and Industrial Diamonds, and Buying & Caring for Diamonds. This book provides the ideal introduction to the world's most famous gem. Follow author Fred Ward around the world in search for the most important examples of these beautiful and historic gemstones.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

(This book) represents an impressive and succinct rsum of the (diamond) business and certainly made for enjoyable reading and viewing. -- Dr. M.G. Rees, DeBeers

...part of a set of seven of the most elegant and informative small books ever written on a carefully selected set of gem topics... new photographs from the Smithsonian's gem collection, all new pictures from Australia's Argyle mine, new images from the Crown Jewels of Iran, and a beautiful new cover photograph of the Hope Diamond... this is a heck of a lot of changing (in a revision). -- John White, Smithsonian Curator

Your extensive research on diamonds is quite impressive and we look forward to seeing the dazzling diamonds jump from the pages of your new book. -- Van Cleef & Arpels --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

For fourteen years Fred Ward created, wrote, and photographed National Geographic Magazine's legendary gemstone series. He has now greatly expanded his classic work into the 8-book Fred Ward Gem Book Series, complete with new photographs and text. His easy-to-read accurate text provides you what you need to know to buy and enjoy the world's most historic and beautiful gemstones. Mr. Ward's award-winning photographs make each page a visual feast. This book is part of "America's Most Popular Gem Book Series." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Gem Book Pub (October 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963372327
• ISBN-13: 978-0963372321
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,200,150 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Many of our armchair adventures began by flipping pages of a National Geographic Magazine. Glimpses of foreign cultures, the beauty of the planet from the majestic to the minute, or a look toward the heavens above or secrets below have come from the images of National Geographic photographs. As photographer and writer over the past four decades, Fred Ward has opened our eyes to special and spectacular views of the world. His contributions to Time, Newsweek, Life, and, of course, National Geographic have led him through adventures that we merely read about. If the adventure makes the man, his retelling makes his audiences a part of the action.

Fred Ward has simply done it all. His travels for Geographic led him through more than 130 countries, piloting experimental aircraft and his own helicopter, and diving underwater, all in search of the perfect picture and the most interesting story. His photography has won numerous national awards, and his work--including historic images of President Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Gerald Ford¬--is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Library of Congress. His journalism has also collected a variety of honors.

Fred's gemstone series for National Geographic evolved into nine published gem books. His connections in the industry gave him the opportunity to become not only a gem dealer but also the owner and founder of Jade Designs, Blue Planet Gems, and ultimately, Gem Book Publishers. Along the way, he produced and directed two National Endowment for the Humanities films on Mexico, and various TV commercials and corporate documentaries, and he served as a special gem consultant for National Geographic television.

Without a doubt, through his explorations in the world, this man shares his legendary experiences with the rest of us.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars amazingly good, August 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Diamonds (Fred Ward Gem Book Series) (Paperback)

I just finished reading the Fred Ward books "Diamonds" and "Rubies and Sapphires" in his gem series, and I was very pleasantly surprised. These books are entertaining as well as informative, and found myself telling obscure facts about the different gemstones to my friends and family. I was in the market for a ring with my fiance, and so found the books particularly insightful. Along with the writing, the color photography was absolutely sinful, with the most striking pictures of jewelry I have ever seen. Breathtaking. Definitely a must read, even if you think you aren't that interested in gems in the first place. I did think that the price of the books was exceedingly high, however, and I wish they would market them as an entire collection instead of just the separate books.

But all in all, wonderful read!