Opals (Fred Ward Gem Book) [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Opal-chameleon of a thousand colors...essence of every gem distilled into one...shimmering stone of love and hope...a gift delivered from heaven in bolts of lightning...talisman of..." (more)
Key Phrases: opal fossils, opal market, boulder opal, Lightning Ridge, Goober Pedy, Coober Pedy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Beautifully photographed...researched with Ward's usual thoroughness...easily understood. -- Gemmological Association of Australia

Beautifully photographed...researched with Ward's usual thoroughness...easily understood. -- Gemmological Association of Australia <br /><br />Opals from A to Z...detailed, concise, and personally researched at the mines...incredibly informative and a joy to read. --Greg Sherman, FGAA, renowned Australian opal dealer

Opals from A to Z...detailed, concise, and personally researched at the mines...incredibly informative and a joy to read. -- Greg Sherman, FGAA, renowned Australian opal dealer

Product Description

This is a revised edition of OPALS and part of the Fred Ward Gem Book Series. The lavishly illustrated all-color book continues in the quality tradition of the other gem seven books in the series. Opals from Australia, Mexico, the USA, and other sites are included, as are mining, processing, sales, and care. This is a compact, beautiful, and informative coverage of this fascinating gemstone.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Gem Guides Book Company; Revised edition (September 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887651047
• ISBN-13: 978-1887651042
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #328,156 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All the facts and more..., June 19, 2003

By	Cybamuse (Fuzzy Europe) - See all my reviews

This slim little book taught me more about opals than rummaging around in the opal stores and book stores of Sydney ever did... Fred and Charlotte have managed to add lots of juicy information about opals - how they are made, history, cutting, what makes them special etc and present it in a very easy to read manner. A great book to give anyone an indepth knowledge of opals!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book, April 20, 2001

By	Bob Cook (North Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This is the most informative and fun to read book on opals ever published. As a collector and opal dealer, I highly recommend this book to learn about the opal history of Australia with lots of great stories!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Next Best Thing to a Trip to the Mines . ., January 13, 2005

By	Todd Chenoweth (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

I liked the description of the miners and their culture at Lighting Ridge. But if you want information on how to select and price an opal, especially a black opal, you need Paul Downing's Opal Identification & Value.