Since it was first published in 1962 'Gems' has become universally recognised as the most comprehensive and authoritative treatise on gem materials in the English language. In this sixth edition, chapters, appendices and tables have been revised for relevance to today's practice and include an expanded encyclopedic section. 'Gems' caters for the professional jeweller and student gemmologist, collector of gems and those with an insatiable interest in precious stones. NB: The gem testing section has been removed as this is covered extensively in Gemmology 3e.
Contents Include; Origin of recovery of gemstones; Diamond; Ruby and sappire; Emerald, aquamarine and other beryls; Chryoberyl and spinel; Topac and tourmaline; Zircon, perdot and spodumene; The garnets; Moonstone and other feldspare gemstones; Silica group; Opal; Turquoise and lapis-lazuli; The jades; Natural glasses; Lesser known ornamental and gem materials; Synthetic gemsontes; Gemstone simulants; Composite gemstones; Fashioning of gemstones; Pearls; Coral, shell and operculum; Hardness, cleavage and fracture; Specific gravity; Light and optical effects; Coloru and colour enhancement; Refractive index, reflectance and thermal conductance; Inclusions; Luminescence; Electrical and magnetic phenomena; Chemistry of gemstones; Appendices; Identification tables.
It is one of the more valuable texts available to mineralogists, gemologists, and advanced collectors Gems should be kept on a handy shelf. I use my copy almost on a daily basis and consider it a very valuable tool, as well as a useful reference. Bob Jones, Rock & Gem Reviews of the previous editions: Any serious gemologist should have a copy available for ready reference. Gems and Gemology ...a truly magnificent book. New World ...this quintessential textbook and reference will serve yet another generation of students of gemology. The Australian Gemologist