The Story of the Gems [Paperback]

Herbert P. Whitlock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 10, 1997

Comprehensive, profusely illustrated handbook for the layperson offers a fascinating excursion into the many-faceted world of gemstones. Fact-filled discussions of gems in ancient times, the art of the lapidary, gem cutting, famous diamonds and other precious stones, unusual gemstones, much more. A rich and rewarding book for students and casual readers. 76 illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (July 10, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486299384
• ISBN-13: 978-0486299389
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,875,231 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science > Nature & Ecology > Rocks & Minerals
  • #40 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science > Nature & Ecology > Natural Resources

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Charming older book, wish the publisher had done an updated print, May 17, 2008

By 

K. Varraso (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Story of the Gems (Paperback)

This is a reprint of a much older book, a classic which tells tales about each of the gems we still know and love today, as well as some which are not as common. The book is a true copy, and looks like someone put the old book on a photocopier and copied the pages as they were, old-fashioned, hard to read typeface and all. And that's my only gripe. The content of this book is amazing, and it's as applicable today as it was when it was first published. I wish that the people who reprinted it had cleaned up the pictures and used a better typeface, but I found the material valuable enough to give it a good try and read it regardless.

It was well worth it. I think you'll feel the same way as you read stories that you'll never forget, but don't trust me. This book is remarkably inexpensive, so I'd take a look for myself.