Customer Reviews

Emeralds (The Fred Ward Gem Book)

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This is a highly attractive book; the photographs actually almost made me salivate. The majority of emeralds in the marketplace are reprehensible--the ones pictured here prove that emeralds done right are among the most transcendently lovely objects on earth.

Ward clearly knows his emeralds (and other gemstones); he effectively and clearly transmits the basic information important to emerald novices. For example, he's correct to note that most people don't realize their emeralds have been oiled, and he puts to rest any criticisms of oiling--it makes the stone the best it can be be, after all.

I can tell he started out as a journalist. He has a very investigative-journalist, breathless tone. I think it works for the most part, especially when he's rhapsodizing over discoveries of sunken treasure or fabulous royal jewels attached to epic legends and lore.

But he is mildly biased against certain types of stones. He excessively disses the Egyptian mines. I'm glad he delves into the history of Cleopatra's mine, and I even appreciate his attempts to theorize as to the real chemical composition of the alleged "emeralds" from Egypt. However, he sprinkles in derogatory references to the Egyptian mines throughout the entire text, finding them vastly wanting. I think this is overkill. Colombians are the best--we get it.

Also, he frequently disparages ancient South American (Incan, for e.g.) and Egyptian empires' facility with stonework and knowledge of stones. He writes things akin to, "while we would never find such simply drilled, untumbled stones attractive, the ancients knew no better.." Actually, I quite liked the simple, untumbled emeralds he showcased; some of the ancient jewelry was quite stunning, and while it's not to my tastes to wear, I know several schools of people who are into that whole "organic" look.

By the way, this is a very slim volume. It's suitable either for complete novices or for collectors who want anything on their favorite stones.

I read Fred Ward's book "Emeralds", a part of his gem series, for an oral report I had to do for school. This book is packed with information on emeralds, from general info, to the cutting process; this book has it all! Not only is Fred Ward a talented author and researcher, but also he takes magnificent photographs. This book has lots of beautiful pictures of emeralds from all over the world. Fred Ward gives you a history of emeralds and their importance with the ancients. And shows and tells you about some of the beautiful jewelry that emeralds are in today, as well in the past. It even has a buying guide that shows what to look for when buying emeralds. I did tons of research for my report, and used a lot of books, but none of them even came close to "Emeralds".

This book is a fairly short book on Emeralds. Ward gives the reader a great introduction to the world of emeralds without losing the reader in a bunch of scientific jargon. Though the book is very short for its price,it is full of great color pictures and information. The photography in this book alone makes it a must have for emerald lovers. The only complaint that I have about the photograph is that many of the pictures are taken zoomed in so the reader has a tough time determining the actual size of the subjects. Ward touches on the ancient history of these beautiful gems and explores modern day sources of the world's emeralds. Ward also discusses treatments of emeralds before sale, care of emerald jewlery, and there is a particularly interesting section on the making of synthetic emeralds. I would recomend this book to anyone with an interest in emeralds, but I would not recomend it to those looking for a particularly scientific book or a buyer's guide. This little book is packed with information and photographs that won't let you down.

This is a lovely, thorough, captivating look at the entire scope of emeralds. In true National Geographic form, Mr. Ward takes us through the history, the science, the lore of these amazingly varied gems. As a gemologist, he walks us through the mining and chemistry of beryl. Fred and Charlotte Ward are collectors and world-travelers obviously, because there are exquisite examples from every corner of the globe. From the priceless to the contemporary, he has photographed the major pieces to convey the range of color, clarity, and beauty. And with his obvious journalism background, the pace is detailed enough to challenge while enticing enough to feel drama. You feel the grit of discovery to the awe of true natural beauty.

For many reasons you will reference these books in conversation, over dinner, with friends...I have read them cover to cover and they are the standard for understanding and appreciating the jewels we covet.






http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1887651152/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title

I love this book. It is a small book packed with a lot of punch. Very heavy into the Brazilian mines and life. Lot's of beautiful color photographs.
For a short history on Emerald mining, this book seems to have it all.