Gem Identification Made Easy, 2nd Edition: A Hands-On Guide to More Confident Buying & Selling (Hardcover)

~ Antoinette L. Matlins (Author), Antonio C. Bonanno (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Focusing on gemology as a science rather than a fine art, the authors have written an honest and straightforward book that lays the groundwork for identifying gemstones in an easy-to-read-and-understand volume. They outline useful information on setting up a lab, securing proper lighting, and identifying the essential and optional instruments used in successful gem identification. They also explain how to identify the myriad inclusions and blemishes found in natural and synthetic gemstones and devote a section to enhancement techniques found in antique and estate jewelry. Recommended.
- Stephen Allan Patrick, East Tennessee State Univ. Lib., Johnson City
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

"Authoritative and well-organised" - Tundraco's Diamonds, Gemstones, Jewelry, March 2004. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 322 pages
• Publisher: Gemstone Press; 2nd edition (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0943763169
• ISBN-13: 978-0943763163
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #631,702 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get to know Gems!, November 28, 1999

By	Dawn Leonard (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

If you are a hobbyist, or desire a career in the gemological field, this book is something you should not be without. I would recommend all jewelry stores have their staff read this book BEFORE talking to potential customers. From using instruments to identifying stones, this book has it all! Technical books are usually so dry and boring, but this one is different. It actually covers the material in an easy-to-read, fun format! Have a good time with your gems - and LEARN! Get a copy for yourself.

59 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is Easy NO GG Diploma Required For EVEYONE, January 27, 2000

By	Leah Talley "Leah Talley" (Alabama) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is comprehensive, detailed, and it is not Dry Dull Reading as so many similar texts can be. If you are in the Gem and Jewelry business, or just a collector you will get something out of this book. Well worth the money!

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reference for Consumers, Hobbyists, Jewelers Interested in Gemstones., July 18, 2007

By	mirasreviews (McLean, VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This review is from: Gem Identification Made Easy, Third Edition: A Hands-On Guide to More Confident Buying & Selling (Hardcover)

"Gem Identification Made Easy" opens up the world of gem identification to the jeweler, hobbyist and the curious. I didn't come away with the impression that gem identification is easy, but that some kinds of identification are easy, inexpensive and FUN! Antoinette Matlins makes it clear that the bar to entry into gemology is low. Practice, diligence, and three small instruments that cost less than $200 will enable you to identify 80% of colored gemstones and their look-alikes as well as diamonds and most of their imitations. Since there are at least 3 different gemstones on the market in every color and no shortage of synthetics and enhancement treatments, the skills within the pages of "Gem Identification Made Easy" are invaluable to anyone shopping for gemstones. If gems fascinate you, this book will help you discover if you would like to pursue gemology as a career or serious hobby.

The bulk of "Gem Identification Made Easy" are descriptions of the instruments involved in gem identification, detailed instructions on how to use each, and what they can show you, including many charts which will help you identify stones. The 3 essential instruments that everyone will need are: loupe, Chelsea filter, and dichroscope. The loupe magnifies the stones, revealing inclusions, blemishes, and fillers. The Chelsea filter differentiates between some gems and synthetics. The dichroscope distinguishes single-refracting stones from double-refracting and allows identification of stones by the colors they exhibit. In addition, Ms. Matlins provides instructions for additional tools that one would need to set up a lab: UV lamp, refractometer, microscope. Less essential: spectroscope, polariscope, and immersion cell. For diamonds: SSEF diamond-type spotter and electronic diamond tester. These could cost nearly $3000, but shopping on eBay will bring the price tag down.

The author also dedicates a chapter to "Antique and Estate Jewelry", in which she discusses imitation and alteration techniques frequently found in antique and period jewelry. She advises on how to detect them and includes tables of synthetics and imitations, when they appeared on the market, and characteristics that will help identify them. This is followed by many useful Appendices: a list of gems and look-alikes by color, gem hardness, specific gravities, refractive index tables, tables of dispersion and birefringence, glossary of terms, list of organizations offering gemology workshops or training, equipment suppliers. These are in addition to the many tables and lists in the instrument chapters. Color photos are limited to a center insert, where there are photos of gemstone inclusions and a few other identifying features. "Gem Identification Made Easy" is an easy to understand, practical entry to the fascinating world of gemstones.