Gemstones (Dk Handbooks) [Paperback]

Cally Hall (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dk Handbooks | Publication Date: April 13, 2000

"The Dorling Kindersley Handbook of Gemstones" is packed with more than 800 vivid full-colour photographs of more than 130 varieties of cut and uncut stones organic gemstones and precious metals. With authoritative text clear photography and a systematic approach, this concise guide to identification enables you to recognize each gemstone instantly. This book features a photo-encyclopedic approach. Each expertly written entry combines a precise description with annotated photographs to highlight the gemstone's chief characteristics and distinguishing features. Additional colour illustrations and photographs show uncut stones colour variations and a range of popular cuts while colour-coded bands provide at-a-glance facts for quick reference. "Identification Made Easy For beginners" and established enthusiasts alike the "Dorling Kindersley Handbook of Gemstones" explains what a gemstone is how and where gemstones occur, what natural properties they possess and how they have been fashioned and imitated through the ages. To help you in the initial stages of identification a colour key illustrates the variety of colours found within natural and synthetic gemstones. A concise glossary explains the relevant scientific and technical terms.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Plc P/B (April 13, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 075132731X
• ISBN-13: 978-0751327311
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,209,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A super introduction to a fascinating subject., June 11, 2001

By 

William L. Gilstrap - See all my reviews

This review is from: DK Handbooks: Gemstones (Paperback)

I have been interested in amateur gemstones since 1962 and this is the best introductory book I've ever seen about the subject. It's full of outstanding pictures that illustrate just about everything most beginners might want to know. It starts with an excellent and concise section on general gem lore, gem properties, and gem handling. Then it has the best color key to gems that I've seen. This key makes it easy to find the information about a given gemstone without using the index. If one prefers, there is a good index too. After the Color Key, there are pages about specific stones with a description, where they are found and remarks. All standard gem properties are shown, with excellent pictures to illustrate the color, crystal shape, cleavage, uses, etc. All in all, this is the introduction to gemstones to judge others by. It's also useful for more advanced "rockhounds" as a reference and field guide. The binding is quite durable and should stand up to a lot of travel. I wish this book had been available 40 years ago.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE THIS BOOK!, July 12, 2001

By 

Judith Miller (Bluemont, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DK Handbooks: Gemstones (Paperback)

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS AND THIS BOOK HAS TERRIFIC PICTURES AND VERY CLEAR AND CONCISE DESCRIPTIONS. EVERYTHING THAT I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE SUBJECT IS ANSWERED IN THIS BOOK. THERE'S A VISUAL GUIDE TO OVER 130 GEMSTONE VARIETIES AND A COLOR KEY FOR EVERY GEMSTONE. THERE ARE SO MANY INTERESTING BITS OF INFORMATION HERE THAT THE READER GETS A COURSE IN HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, SCIENCE AND FOLKLORE. FOR INSTANCE, THE CUSTOM OF WEARING BIRTHSTONE JEWELRY STARTED IN 18TH CENTURY POLAND; THE MASK OF TUTANKHAMEN WAS MADE OF LAPIS FROM AFGHANISTAN AND THE BEAUTIFUL PINK MORGANITE WAS NAMED AFTER J.P. MORGAN. THIS IS A SUPER REFERENCE BOOK!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HALL'S Way to Gemstones, May 13, 2000

By 

Linda Brooks (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DK Handbooks: Gemstones (Paperback)

Very good reference book to gems, stones and bones used in jewelry and ornamentations. The hardness scale guide, is inserted right there with the stones ID. (No page flipping) I like the color guide section too. Excellent photos and character trait explanations.