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Secrets of the Gem Trade: The connoisseur's Guide to Precious Gemstones
Second enlarged and expanded edition published in November, 2016. Divided into two parts, this comprehensive gemstone grading manual describes the criteria used to quality grade faceted gems, cabochons, pearls, opals, star stones and Catseyes. It applies the grading criteria to 35 of important gemstones.
The 2nd edition is 127 pages longer, adds 11 new chapters, 5 new introductory essays and 161 additional photographs.
The 2nd edition is 127 pages longer, adds 11 new chapters, 5 new introductory essays and 161 additional photographs.
292 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2003
8 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Richard W. Wise
5 books106 followersRichard Wise is the author of four books. His latest novel, THE DAWNING; 31,000 BC (2022), is set in the Aurginacian Period in Southern France.
His REDLINED, A NOVEL OF BOSTON (2021), is a mystery thriller set in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood. PublishersWeekly raves: "Fans of suspense fiction with a social conscience will be pleased." Midwest Book Review describes REDLINED as "An original and simply riveting novel." REDLINED was nominated for the National Book Award and the Benjamin Franklin Award in fiction. www.richardwbooks.com
His previous books include Secrets Of The Gem Trade, The Connoisseur's Guide To Precious Gemstones. First published in 2003, the book became a critically acclaimed bestseller. The revised and expanded second edition was published in November 2016. www.secretsofthegemtrade.com
The author's second book and first novel, The French Blue (2010), chronicles the adventures of 17th-century gem dealer and adventurer Jean Baptiste Tavernier and tells the back story of the Hope Diamond. The French Blue was an "Award Winning Finalist" at the 2011 International Book Awards. www.thefrenchblue.com
His REDLINED, A NOVEL OF BOSTON (2021), is a mystery thriller set in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood. PublishersWeekly raves: "Fans of suspense fiction with a social conscience will be pleased." Midwest Book Review describes REDLINED as "An original and simply riveting novel." REDLINED was nominated for the National Book Award and the Benjamin Franklin Award in fiction. www.richardwbooks.com
His previous books include Secrets Of The Gem Trade, The Connoisseur's Guide To Precious Gemstones. First published in 2003, the book became a critically acclaimed bestseller. The revised and expanded second edition was published in November 2016. www.secretsofthegemtrade.com
The author's second book and first novel, The French Blue (2010), chronicles the adventures of 17th-century gem dealer and adventurer Jean Baptiste Tavernier and tells the back story of the Hope Diamond. The French Blue was an "Award Winning Finalist" at the 2011 International Book Awards. www.thefrenchblue.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 3, 2014
The consummate work for anyone interested in gemstone connoisseurship. Wise has a facile mind and his approach to grading and classifying is at the same time traditional and innovative.
In a prescient article in 1991 he predicted that Paraiba would set a new standard for the evaluation of tourmaline.
His four C's of Connoisseurship which adds "Crystal" or level of transparency as an overt grading category helps to make sense when evaluating the best of the best in virtually every gem variety.
A must read, must have for every gemologist, jeweler and gem collector.
In a prescient article in 1991 he predicted that Paraiba would set a new standard for the evaluation of tourmaline.
His four C's of Connoisseurship which adds "Crystal" or level of transparency as an overt grading category helps to make sense when evaluating the best of the best in virtually every gem variety.
A must read, must have for every gemologist, jeweler and gem collector.
July 9, 2010
I throughly enjoyed this book. I come to it with a basic knowledge of gems and found this book provided the education I have been looking for. Whether a novice or an expert, the author provides a wealth of information that will prove helpful to all of us who have an interest in learning more about gems. I find that I keep referring to it. Highly recommended. Thank you for another fine read, Richard.
I gave this book 5 stars, but Goodreads isn't saving the ratings.
I gave this book 5 stars, but Goodreads isn't saving the ratings.
December 26, 2020
This is the Special collector's limited edition of Secrets Of The Gem Trade, The Connoisseur's Guide To Precious Gemstones. Edition of 100, slipcased, signed and numbered. It is available directly from Brunwick House Press.
The book comes with a bonus signed hardcover of my historical novel of the 17th century gem trade, The French Blue FREE SHIPPING in the U.S.A. www.secretsofthegemtrade.com
The book comes with a bonus signed hardcover of my historical novel of the 17th century gem trade, The French Blue FREE SHIPPING in the U.S.A. www.secretsofthegemtrade.com
February 22, 2012
the next best thing to traveling the world unearthing the stones yourself.
September 11, 2012
A gemological home run for the novice and those who are highly skilled in the jewelry trade. A must read if you have passion for this subject matter.
October 4, 2021
Despite all the hype about this book, I didn't find it all that interesting. Something about the layout perhaps. I can't put my finger on it but it really didn't hold my attention. It's not a book I would use as a reference.
September 21, 2017
I have been a Bangkok based gem dealer for over 30 years and I can say with authority that the information provided in the 2nd. Edition of Secrets Of the Gem Trade is the straight stuff. The author has written a book that tells the true story in a manner that has never been attempted before.
The author and I traveled together sourcing ruby and sapphire in the famous Valley of The Serpents, Mogok, Burma and more recently to the gem mines near Luc Yen, Vietnam to do research for his updated chapters on spinel. The first edition was an exceptional book. The second edition is magnificent. It has been completely revised, updated and expanded with new chapters and many exceptional images and the latest information on the newest, most important gem finds in Asia and Africa.
Whether you are a dealer, a jeweler or just a lover of gems. Buy Secrets Of The Gem Trade (2nd Edition) and read it. You’ll find tips and insights in the book that you’ll find nowhere else.
Joseph Belmont
The author and I traveled together sourcing ruby and sapphire in the famous Valley of The Serpents, Mogok, Burma and more recently to the gem mines near Luc Yen, Vietnam to do research for his updated chapters on spinel. The first edition was an exceptional book. The second edition is magnificent. It has been completely revised, updated and expanded with new chapters and many exceptional images and the latest information on the newest, most important gem finds in Asia and Africa.
Whether you are a dealer, a jeweler or just a lover of gems. Buy Secrets Of The Gem Trade (2nd Edition) and read it. You’ll find tips and insights in the book that you’ll find nowhere else.
Joseph Belmont
September 24, 2017
Friends,
This is the 2nd edition of my Secrets Of The Gem Trade, The Connoisseur's Guide To Precious Gemstones. Totally rewritten and expanded the 2nd edition is 127 pages longer with 11 new chapters and 5 new introductory essays. I've added lots of new images, 161 are new.
If you liked the 1st edition, you will love the 2nd.
Good reading,
Richard
This is the 2nd edition of my Secrets Of The Gem Trade, The Connoisseur's Guide To Precious Gemstones. Totally rewritten and expanded the 2nd edition is 127 pages longer with 11 new chapters and 5 new introductory essays. I've added lots of new images, 161 are new.
If you liked the 1st edition, you will love the 2nd.
Good reading,
Richard
January 16, 2018
Excellent resource. A must-have for anyone serious about their gemstones.
September 27, 2020
A great read full of inside knowledge and insight behind the scenes of the gem market, as well as a tutor to appreciate the best of the best of gems. You really don’t want to settle for mediocre “commercial quality” gemstones after reading this.
It’s only faults, and the reason I’m not giving it 5 stars, are the inconsistencies in spelling and frequent wrongly structured sentences, as well as some minor formatting, editing and printing faults. It makes for annoying reading and only because the information contained in the book is so great, can it be sort of forgiven. But I definitely expected better from a book of this price. Examples of these things are: mixing the spelling of the emerald country as both Colombia and Columbia; spelling “purest” as “purist” repeatedly; mixing the spellings “garimpeiro” and “gariempiero”. It just distracts from the content. I would be happy to edit the manuscript for a small fee if RWW is willing.
Edit: finished the book now and really, the number of errors I have come across... astonishing! Cut and paste editing done in a rush! Or RWW has dyslexia (then it can be forgiven).
It’s only faults, and the reason I’m not giving it 5 stars, are the inconsistencies in spelling and frequent wrongly structured sentences, as well as some minor formatting, editing and printing faults. It makes for annoying reading and only because the information contained in the book is so great, can it be sort of forgiven. But I definitely expected better from a book of this price. Examples of these things are: mixing the spelling of the emerald country as both Colombia and Columbia; spelling “purest” as “purist” repeatedly; mixing the spellings “garimpeiro” and “gariempiero”. It just distracts from the content. I would be happy to edit the manuscript for a small fee if RWW is willing.
Edit: finished the book now and really, the number of errors I have come across... astonishing! Cut and paste editing done in a rush! Or RWW has dyslexia (then it can be forgiven).
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews