Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World [Hardcover]

Lance Grande (Author), Allison Augustyn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2009

Gems are objects of wealth, icons of beauty, and emblems of the very best of everything. They are kept as signs of prestige or power. Given as tokens of love and affection, they also come in a kaleidoscopic array of hues and can be either mineral or organic. Gems can command a person’s gaze in the way they play with light and express rich color. And they can evoke feelings of passion, greed, mystery, and warmth.

For millennia, gems have played an important role in human culture: they have significant value, both financially and within folklore and mythology. But just what are gems, exactly? This lavishly illustrated volume—the most ambitious publication of its kind—provides a general introduction to gems and natural gemstones, conveying their timeless beauty and exploring similarities among different species and varieties. Gems and Gemstones features nearly 300 color images of the cut gems, precious and semiprecious stones, gem-quality mineral specimens, and fine jewelry to be unveiled in a new Grainger Hall of Gems at The Field Museum in Chicago this October. The book and exhibition’s overarching theme will be the relationship between finished gems and their natural origin: while beautiful as faceted and polished pieces of jewelry, gems are often just as lovely—or even more so—as gemstones in their natural state. For example, an aquamarine or emerald as originally found in a mine with its natural crystal faces can be as stunning as any cut and polished gem prepared for a ring, bracelet, or charm.

Thoughtful of both ancient and modern times, Gems and Gemstones also includes fun-filled facts and anecdotes that broaden the historical portrait of each specimen. When Harry Winston, for instance, donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian in 1958, he sent it through the U.S. mail wrapped in plain brown paper. And for anyone who has ever marveled at the innovations of top jewelry designers, Gems and Gemstones features a dazzling array of polished stones, gold objects, and creations from around the world. Diamonds, sapphires, rubies, amethysts, pearls, topaz, amber—every major gem gets its due in what will be an invaluable source on the subject for years to come.

Gems and Gemstones is the basis for the iPad app, available in the Apple iTunes App Store, Gems and Jewels.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Tired of regular jewelry gifts? Take a tour through the mineral world, from Alexandrite, known for its color-changing properties and named after Russia''s Czar Alexander II, to Zoisite, which only attains its blue color after a 700-degree Fahrenheit heat treatment. Created as a companion to the 2009 opening of the Grainger Hall of Gems at Chicago''s Field Museum, the volume dazzles with its displays of gems and other precious jewelry. A feast for the eyes, and a break for the wallet compared with the treasures it contains, Gems delves into the science and crafting of gems — and brings the bling, too.”—USA Today

(USA Today )

“Since 1854, my family has run a small Iowa City jewelry store specializing in quality gem stones. I inherited the love for diamonds, but with my writer’s salary, money’s better spent on the lush pictures in Gems and Gemstones. Penned by the senior veep of the Field Museum, this new tome is the definitive book on precious stones. Hey, diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, but a good book is also a good friend...um, yeah.”—Time Out Chicago

(Time Out Chicago )

“Published to coincide with an expanded Grainger Hall of Gems in Chicago''s Field Museum, Gems and Gemstones displays beautiful gemstones (cut and uncut) and explains the geography and science behind their creation. Photos of creations such as the Aztec "Sun-god Opal," in which a human face is cut into a spectacular 35-carat white opal, show just how long gems have retained their hold on the human imagination.”—Seattle Times

(Seattle Times )

“Eye candy abounds in this volume on gems based on the newly revamped Grainger Hall of Gems at the Field Museum in Chicago. The book covers such topics as how gems form in nature, how they are classified, and the fascinating history of humanity’s love of jewels.”—Scientific American

(Scientific American )

About the Author

Lance Grande is senior vice president and head of collections and research at The Field Museum. He is a curator in the geology department and a general content specialist for The Field’s new Grainger Hall of Gems exhibit. He is also a member of the Committee on Evolutionary Biology at the University of Chicago and is an adjunct professor of biology at the University of Illinois. Allison Augustyn, a funding specialist at The Field Museum, was previously an exhibition developer there, where she prepared such exhibits as The Ancient Americas, George Washington Carver, and The Grainger Hall of Gems.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (November 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226305112
• ISBN-13: 978-0226305110
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #335,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Field Guides > Rocks & Minerals
  • #69 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Mineralogy
  • #100 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Rocks & Minerals

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding new book on gemstones, January 11, 2010

By 

Snooper's Mom (Hudson, NH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World (Hardcover)

Wonderful new book on gemstones really delivers! Instead of a few tiny color photos at the back, like other books, this book actually is primarily composed of color photos. The accompanying information will inspire even more investigation for the amateur gemologist--there is a map of mining locations, for instance.
There are photos of both the original minerals and jewelry made from the resulting gems.
This is one of the best books I have ever encountered on the subject, very thoughtfully organized and entertaining as well. Highly recommended !

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well presented, balanced information, February 20, 2010

By 

T. McMahon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World (Hardcover)

Well balanced in terms of geological information, history, and aesthetic presentation (images are outstanding and the book is well designed.) Much of the text is legitimately interesting to read; I found myself reading through large portions, which is rare for gem book. The book begins with well written introduction that properly prepares the reader for the information laid out throughout the book. Short chapters at the end on simulated stones, mining, and ethics were welcome additions.

My only gripe (not important enough to detract from my rating)is that materials from the Grainger Hall of Gems collection that were too soft for practical use were omitted with exceptions for commonly used organic materials, e.g. pearls, amber, ivory. This was somewhat frustrating, and I'm sure they would have used beautiful images to represent them. A condensed "too soft for jewelry" chapter would have been nice., the chapter on metals, aptly titled "Precious Metals (Primarily Gold)" only deals with gold; I expected at least silver to get an equal treatment. Of course, this book is plenty satisfying already, and a great buy for the price

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gems and Gemstones, December 3, 2009

By 

Elizabeth A. Hamilton (NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World (Hardcover)

This is a beautiful book with exquisite photographs of gems and gemstones. Very informative text. It is great for both experienced collectors or novices interested in crystals. Also would make a wonderful gift item. Highly recommended.