Customer Reviews

Guide to Gems (Firefly Pocket series)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Cally Oldershaw's Guide To Gems is provides a rich and thoroughly "user friendly" field guide to the identification and use of gemstones provides even the most novice beginner with a fine introduction to not only identification, but the chemistry and geological properties of gems. Over a hundred varieties of gemstones accompany over 850 photos and 50 drawings, making for a colorful treasure trove in and of itself.

Color illustrations are terrific. Makes one want to dive into

the world of gemstones. The only thing I didn't like about the

book was that the writing was way too small. The print needed to

be a lot bigger for those of us who need it. Otherwise, great book.

I feel this is an excellent book to purchase now in learning as beginners, to identify gemstones. It is in color and has a lot of detailed information on each gemstone. I highly think you need this book in the beginning in identifying gemstones.

I was very impressed with the detail and content of this book. I own 30 plus books on gems and minerals and consider this one to be a great source of information. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a real interest in learning about gemstones.

This small book is very good for the person who already has an understanding of crystal and or rock growth. It gives general ideas about identifying but you still can't be sure til you learn the ropes of light refraction and growth patterns along with hardness scales.

As a jewelry designer and lover of gems and fossils I have many books about them. This is by far my favorite and the one I go back to again and again. Detailed information, great photographs, and a fantastic index. I recommend it for the casual fan of gems and for the serious student who wants an easy to use guide to keep on hand!

The bible for rock hounds. A needed guide for those who work with stones and gems.

As a gem stone collector, this is my favorite little book. It has the refractive indices for all the stones, specific gravity. etc.. If you are starting a gem stone collection, this is the best book to start with. L. Ratte' Nashville TN

The next best thing to having the real thing is to have good pictures of the item. And this book is loaded.

Th book is well organized and has information from where to find the gems and pictures of their natural forms to ha to make the best cuts. We get chemical makeup and their history of trade.

An added plus is a section on organics such as pearl, shell, coral, and amber.

I am using this book to help determine what I am looking at on online auctions.

Gemstones (Smithsonian Handbooks)