Customer Reviews

Gemstones of the World, Revised Edition

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This book should be in everyone's library. There is something here for everyone--from kids who collect rocks (because that's what kids do), to the serious gemstone collector. In fact, any nature lover would thoroughly enjoy this book for its stunning color photos. From Diamonds to Pearls and everything in between, Schumann's revised and updated reference provides a wealth of information for every level of interest.

This is probably the best gemstone reference book that I've seen. If you are someone interested in gems, looking to buy gems online, or even a jeweler you'll find this book indispensable.

The book teaches you the basic properties of gemstones, hardness, cleavage/fracture, color, refraction, dispersion, etc.

It gives you an overview of cutting and polishing gemstones with a chart of the different types of cuts available.

But the best part of the book is the description of gemstones. This book covers virtually all known gemstones! Not just the big 4(diamond, emerald, ruby, sapphire) but over 100 different gems, many that you've probably never even heard of!

The gems are broken down into groups, the beryl group, corundum group, etc. Each group then gives the different gems from that group and gives the physical characteristics of that gem. It lists the different sources and colors of each gem and tells you which gems you might confuse the stone with.

And finally each gemstone comes with a full page picture of different cuts, colors and rough of that gem.

All in all this is a MUST HAVE BOOK for anyone interested in gems.

Even as a jeweler I can't remember everything, so when I go to gem shows to buy my stones this book is my pocket bible which keeps me from getting cheated! Even if you aren't a jewelry professional, if you are buying stones online, at gem shows, or from your local jeweler, you can learn more about the stones you want, and learn more about the stones that are available (don't you get tired of always seeing ruby-sapphire-emerald?). I advise all my clients who are serious stone shoppers to buy this book, to become familiar with stones and minerals in general, and to start asking questions about the durability, hardness and practicality of the stones they buy for their custom jewelry. It has beautiful photos too!

This book is a wonderful reference for anyone that has in interest in gemstones or geology. The book has three main parts. The first is an introduction into the terminology that is used in the gemology industry. I found this section to be very inclusive and easy to understand. This section covers everything from the types of crystal structures to cutting techniques and density. This is a great section for those that are new in the world of gemology and would like a more in depth explanation of gemstones.
The next major section deals with well known gemstones. Every stone you can think of from diamond to emerald is covered in this section. The section is reserved for stones that most everyone has heard of and are readily available at any store. This section is layed out in a field guide type format as opposed to an in depth paragraph discussion. Each stone has a description of its characteristics and colored photos of multiple examples. The photos are beautifully done with several different examples of each stone shown.
The final section is reserverd form more uncommon gemstones. This section will be sure to surprise you. For example petrified wood is shown as a more uncommon gemstone. Even the most experienced gemologist will learn something new in this section..The pictures and layout of this section are the same as in the previous section.
I highly recommend this book to people with an interest in geology or gemology. This book is not a book that is best read cover to cover. It is better used as a reference because of its layout and abundance of information. No matter what you use it for you will be fascinated with the information and captivated by the photography. A wonderful book that will keep you entertained for hours.

This book is ok. However if you are looking for a text which helps you to understand how to judge whether or not a gemstone is worth its price, this is not the right one.

A gemologist friend of mine introduced me to this book, and I had to have one. It is the best Gemstone reference book, especially at it's price. It includes color pictures and shows the gem in both the rough and finished state, and includes information on synthetic gemstones. Get this book for a REAL education on Gemstones.

Upon viewing the pages contained withing this hardback, I immediately smiled. A great purchase. The information given on each family of gemstones was incredible. Not only was in depth information given on the standard stones (diamonds, rubies, emeralds, opal, garnet and etc.), but also rarely seen varieties were also shown, giving the "collector" a unique perspective. Before reading this publication, I never knew there were green, yellow, orange or colorless garnets, I never heard of "heliodor" or Uvarovite, Andradite garnets, Dravite Tourmaline, etc and etc. What a wealth of information. Gemology, folklore, scientific and geographic information on each and every variety listed within!!! WOW. What an exhaustive reference! GOOD SHOW!

This is a great gem book for the amateur rock hound/lapidary. A great reference for the more experienced. Lots of info. on physical characteristics, history, mining, and geographic distribution of stones. The best part is the pictures, every stone is in color in both the raw and processed states.

The only disappointment was there was not a whole lot of new material from the 1977 edition. A few new stones and some new age and metaphysical stuff was added. But if you don't own one of the previous editions, I highly recommend.

For decades I wore only white diamonds (nothing colored of any kind) simply because they went with everything and to me they were the easiest gems for the layperson buyer to become 'intelligent' about. Having recently found an excellent jeweller who's also a goldsmith and graduate gemologist, I'm now venturing into the world of colored gems, including colored diamonds. Very confusing! This book has helped enormously, though. For each gem there's all the usual basic info such as Mohs' scale hardness, along with other stuff that'll make your jeweller sit up and take proper notice of ya! : chemical composition, refractive index, density, fluorescence, double refraction and pleiochroism (if any), and so on and so forth. Not to worry, those are all explained in separate sections. There's also : info on all the colors each particular stone comes in, plus useful pictures ; a section for each stone on which others look similar enough to be confused with it ; sections on various treatments (usually for color enhancement) and on created & artifical stones ; and much much more. Simply packed with useful, well-organized info, very well laid out and easy on the eyes despite being fairly small for a hardbound book.

I do jewelry appraisals and gem identifications and this book has helped me more than any other. It is a MUST for buying and selling (does not list prices). I have worn mine out and have just ordered a new one. I have had it for approximately ten or more years. You will be fascinated even if you are not buying or selling. Peruse it and enjoy!!!
Katherine Beasley G.G., A.J.P. (GIA)