Firefly Guide to Gems

by Cally Oldershaw

A reference guide to gems, semi-precious stones and crystals. Gemstones and crystals are used for jewelry, industry, lasers and precision technology. Firefly Guide to Gems is a practical, compact guide to the identification and use of precious and semi-precious stones, novelty stones, agates and crystals. An introduction explains geology, chemistry and gemstone properties in clear and accessible terms. Key aspects of gemstones are explained such as crystal structures and optical and physical properties. The first section of the book focuses on precious gems in their many forms, with illustrations of priceless jewelry. Practical information The second and main section supplies complete descriptions of a wide range of gems, organized by chemical composition, for A fascinating profile of each gem is accompanied with color photographs of the raw crystal, common cuts, and finally polished for use in jewelry. At-a-glance charts provide technical details such as refractive index, crystal group, luster, hardness and cleavage for each gem. Easy-to-read and abundantly illustrated, Firefly Guide to Gems is ideal for collectors and rockhounds.

Genres: Reference, Science, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Eevee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Firefly Guide to Gems” is a very informative book and a must-have for anyone interested in collecting or perhaps even cutting gems. It provides a short summary of most gems out there, famous and obscure, along with pictures. It’s a fantastic starting point for anyone who wishes to know more about gemstones, like me. There is also a short chart for each gem on its various properties, like the ability to change color, how it fractures, and its usual colors, among other useful details. At the beginning of the book, it provides a short introduction to gems, the ways one can cut a gem, and the formations that a gem can form in, among other things. I do have a critique about it though. Some of the images of the gems are not completely accurate. This is to be expected, as it is hard to capture the exact refractions of gems through a 2D medium, but some images do not quite give the gems the look they deserve. One such gem that got this treatment is sphene, which was supposed to have a brilliant fire, but in the picture it looks dull brown. But that is a small issue, as you can just look up a picture of it.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plenty of color pictures

The next best thing to having the real thing is to have good pictures of the item. And this book is loaded.

The book is well organized and has information from where to find the gems and pictures of their natural forms to ha to make the best cuts. We get chemical makeup and their history of trade.

An added plus is a section on organics such as pearl, shell, coral, and amber.

I am using this book to help determine what I am looking at on online auctions.

[Sole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. A must have if you like gems.

[Orestedes Ramírez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente me nutrió de información

[Carrie Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good reference book.