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Gemstones (Collins Gem) by [Cally Oldershaw]

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Cally Oldershaw

Gemstones (Collins Gem) Kindle Edition

by Cally Oldershaw (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

31 ratings

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A handy guide identifying over 170 types of the world’s gemstones with beautiful colour photography taken from the Smithsonian Institution’s archives.

‘Gem Gemstones’ is an indispensable guide for amateurs and enthusiasts alike. This pocket-sized book explores the fascinating history of ornamental stones, discussing their different social and cultural meanings and monetary values through the ages.

Each page features specific details about the crystal system, hardness, composition, lustre and gemstone ‘family’ of each gem.

Full colour photography for each specimen with cut and uncut examples from the Smithsonian Institution’s archives are included throughout, as well as up-to-date information on where to go to view such gems.

Simple illustrations show the crystal structure of each stone for ease of identification and a complete glossary and bibliography show where to go for further information.

Print length

192 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Collins
Publication date

November 28, 2013
File size

4809 KB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"'Aesthetically pleasing, enjoyable, accurate, succinct... One could say a gem among books of its kind.' New Scientist on the first edition." --This text refers to the paperback edition.

About the Author

Cally Oldershaw worked on the development of exhibitions in the geological galleries at The Natural History Museum. A Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (GAGTL), she now works at the Geological Society. She continues to work as a freelance author, editor and consultant. Christine Woodward prepared and produced geological exhibitions at the Museum until 1990. She still works with the Museum delivering adult education courses. Roger Harding is Director of the GATL, a body providing membership, educational outreach and gem testing services. He was curator of gemstones at the Museum, from 1972-90. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00FOOIMEI
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Collins (November 28, 2013)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 28, 2013
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 4809 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
Lending ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #1,146,224 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #41 in Mineralogy (Kindle Store)
- #296 in Mineralogy (Books)

Customer Reviews:
31 ratings

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Cally Oldershaw

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Customer reviews

5 star		50%
4 star		18%
3 star		21%
2 star		5%
1 star		5%

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Top reviews from the United States

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P. LEFF

Overview of gemology

Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2010

Verified Purchase

The author does a pretty good job of generally educating the reader about the more common gems on the market today. Photos are good and information is helpful. BUT, I would like to have seen more detailed information on how to spot fakes quickly and easily without carrying a whole laboratory on our backs. There are so many crooks out there passing off fakes, many from the very sources we should be able to trust.

Helpful

GhostFrappe

Great book; bad size

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2009

Verified Purchase

This is a small book that can be carried in a purse or in a pocket, so it's definitely travel-sized. It is a very informative book, but the small size paired with the thickness of the book make it a little physically difficult to read it. I agree with the previous reviewer that the book itself is great, but the size is not so great.

Helpful

J. Malnar

really nice, comprehensive

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2006

Verified Purchase

For a book of this format and number of pages, covers amazing qty of infor on a large number of gemstones. Also includes very informative section on properties, currtting and polishing, real vs fake and a full page on resources for further reading and info. Pictures abound, color, high quality, beautiful. One of my favorite gem books.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Elizabeth Gatterdam

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2016

Verified Purchase

I love exploring gem stones. Good book

Helpful

In love with Gemstones!

Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2001

The cover of "Gemstones" makes this a wonderful coffee table book. The book is filled with a color photo collection of cut and uncut stones, exquisite pieces of jewelry and exotic sculptures. Some photos show gems in their natural state and you will just be amazed at how they can be polished and cut to perfection.
An introduction entices you into reading about how gem minerals form, then the author delves into gemstones in history, why they are called gemstones, crystal structure, reflection and refraction, color and then cutting and polishing. Some stones are given special attention. There are full pages for diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, aquamarine, opal, amethyst, citrine, agate, jasper, tourmaline, topaz, peridot, zircon, garnet, chrysoberyl, spinel, jade, turquoise, lapis lazuli, moonstone, and labradorite stones.
Since attractive rocks and minerals have the potential for being any ornament, some softer materials are ideal for carving. There is a section that shows rare and curious gemstones I had never seen before. Who knew that fossilized wood could also be carved and polished. A two-page map shows where gem deposits are found. The country name is followed by the gems found in that region.
A grandmother may wear the birthstones of her grandchildren all in one ring or mothers may wear a necklace. One of the most beautiful rings I have seen had a diamond, emerald, amethyst and ruby and it secretly spells out "dear." I am in love with Moonstones for some reason. The clear ones are so amazing and can be worn as a necklace. They are said to be bits of moonbeams.
Here is a wonderful quote about Gemstones:
The rational person accepts that sapphire, September's birthstone, is an aluminum oxide crystal colored by traces of iron, titanium, vanadium, or chrome. But peering into the gem, you can just as well imagine, as did the ancient Persians, that it is a chip off the precious pedestal on which the earth balances, whose dancing reflections create the multifarious colors of the sky. They command your gaze. They escort you into the depths and facets of their crystalline and ordered universe. Gems-to-be are spewed from volcanoes and tossed up by ocean waves. Or they rest quietly in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rock, waiting to be unleashed by water, wind, or the pickax of a miner. -Suzanne Winckler
This book might encourage greed.
I only want one of each! Is that too much to ask for? ;)

19 people found this helpful

Helpful

C. Bednarik

Gem Identifications

Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2007

This is a very small pocket size book, maybe 3"x4". It is a good book to carry with you when you go shopping for gemstones but with it being so small I don't like it. It is a very detailed book and a color for each precious gemstone but not enough information as the other books I reviewed. I think if they enlarged the book it would be easier to use. For a beginner I don't recommend this book for now but can be added to your reference library later.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Rock Man

Misleadingly SMALL

Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2008

I had no idea that this book was as small as it is. I was very disappointed when I received it and did not see anything in the description that would make the buyer aware of this fact. You better read the fine print, if that's where the small size information is! I would not give it the minimum one star rating.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Onno Hoogendoorn

Gemstones, a great book for beginners

Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2000

In this book is explained the different kinds of stones, how they are cut, where to find them, collections, etc. A great book for a beginner to learn more about gemstones. Includes a beautiful pictures. Recommended!

18 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Hugh

A gem of a purchase.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 18, 2015

Verified Purchase

Gemstones (Earth) by Cally Oldershaw, Christine M. Woodward, Roger R. Harding (2001) Paperback
This book was exactly what my wife wanted. It arrived promptly and in clean unused condition - a successful purchase.

angelique

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 2, 2015

Verified Purchase

not a bad read

Rick

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 5, 2016

Verified Purchase

Great item for the price.

John Jamieson

Five Stars