Opals [Import] [Hardcover]

Fred (text and photographs) Ward (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Gem Book Publishers (1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963372386
• ISBN-13: 978-0963372383
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,825,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Many of our armchair adventures began by flipping pages of a National Geographic Magazine. Glimpses of foreign cultures, the beauty of the planet from the majestic to the minute, or a look toward the heavens above or secrets below have come from the images of National Geographic photographs. As photographer and writer over the past four decades, Fred Ward has opened our eyes to special and spectacular views of the world. His contributions to Time, Newsweek, Life, and, of course, National Geographic have led him through adventures that we merely read about. If the adventure makes the man, his retelling makes his audiences a part of the action.

Fred Ward has simply done it all. His travels for Geographic led him through more than 130 countries, piloting experimental aircraft and his own helicopter, and diving underwater, all in search of the perfect picture and the most interesting story. His photography has won numerous national awards, and his work--including historic images of President Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Gerald Ford¬--is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Library of Congress. His journalism has also collected a variety of honors.

Fred's gemstone series for National Geographic evolved into nine published gem books. His connections in the industry gave him the opportunity to become not only a gem dealer but also the owner and founder of Jade Designs, Blue Planet Gems, and ultimately, Gem Book Publishers. Along the way, he produced and directed two National Endowment for the Humanities films on Mexico, and various TV commercials and corporate documentaries, and he served as a special gem consultant for National Geographic television.

Without a doubt, through his explorations in the world, this man shares his legendary experiences with the rest of us.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great quick reference for Opals, December 12, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Opals (Hardcover)

The book gives a good overall insight into how opals are formed, types of opals, where they are mined, how they are mined and many stories surrounding opals and opal miners. It was informative and entertaining. Would have liked to have seen a little more information that would clue you into how to select and price black opals.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All the facts and more..., June 18, 2003

By 

Cybamuse (Fuzzy Europe) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Opals (Fred Ward Gem Book) (Paperback)

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!

7 of 7 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 review is from: Opals (Fred Ward Gem Book) (Paperback)

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!