Gemstones

DK Smithsonian Handbooks

by Cally Hall

"The Dorling Kindersley Handbook of Gemstones" is packed with more than 800 vivid full-colour photographs of more than 130 varieties of cut and uncut stones organic gemstones and precious metals. With authoritative text clear photography and a systematic approach, this concise guide to identification enables you to recognize each gemstone instantly. This book features a photo-encyclopedic approach. Each expertly written entry combines a precise description with annotated photographs to highlight the gemstone's chief characteristics and distinguishing features. Additional colour illustrations and photographs show uncut stones colour variations and a range of popular cuts while colour-coded bands provide at-a-glance facts for quick reference. "Identification Made Easy For beginners" and established enthusiasts alike the "Dorling Kindersley Handbook of Gemstones" explains what a gemstone is how and where gemstones occur, what natural properties they possess and how they have been fashioned and imitated through the ages. To help you in the initial stages of identification a colour key illustrates the variety of colours found within natural and synthetic gemstones. A concise glossary explains the relevant scientific and technical terms.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Science, Gemstones, Geology, Jewellery, Nature

Paperback

First published March 15, 1994

Reviews

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book as I've rekindled my interest in collecting gemstones of various types and was looking for a guide to help me on the way.

The book is beautifully laid out with great colour images of each type of gemstone, facts on where the gemstones are found, historical bits about the stones, hardness of stones and so much more.

It also discusses how gemstones are formed and the different processes involved in taking them from their raw form to be a beautiful stone in a piece of jewellery. Overall it's a very informative and useful book.

The reason I don't rate it five stars is that it doesn't include some modern day gemstones that have now been discovered. So do check the publishing date if buying this. I had bought some black spinel and it's not included at all in this book despite being a new, popular gemstone.

Also, the gemstones are not put in alphabetical order in the book. There is an index which is, but it would make more sense to have the whole book alphabetical in my opinion.

A good book for the beginner-medium level gemstone enthusiast or collector. Not deep enough for the more serious enthusiast.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if it's a bad thing, but I have a minor, well ok, major, obsession with gemstones. So, reading this book was my blessing. I've probably read it about 20 times or so, scanning through, reading about all things from malachite to watermelon tourmaline. It's really informing and interesting.

[Emma Blackery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a book for beginners, but that's a lapse of judgement on my part! As a total novice to gemstones, this was quite hard to get into with the many terms used (cleavage, birefringence, fire, lustre) but towards the end of the book, I found myself understanding these terms in relation to other gems. Glad I picked this up, though - learned about many beautiful gems I'd never seen before!

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

A drool-worthy, informative book, with tons of beautiful photos.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good overview of general information, and nice descriptions and pictures of specific stones.

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

less professional than the other handbook, but useful despite its flaws

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. My main complaint was the focus--what I really wanted was more info on the gemstones used in jewelry, and this book focused more on gemstones in general, thus spending a lot of space on the rare and unsuitable for jewelry. Also, the book includes so many pictures of rare variations, that it gives a skewed idea of what the stone normally looks like. (Especially for fluorite!) I did come to understand one main source of confusion. Scientists today know a lot more about chemical structure, and use that to differentiate rocks, paying little or no attention to aspects such as color, which tends to be caused by impurities. But from the jewelry-making aspect, color is all important, and in the past different stones of the same color often got lumped together and thought of as the same (see emeralds, jade, rubies, sapphires, etc.) Still, as a jewelry maker, I am more interested in learning to recognize the commonly sold gemstones than learning about the difference in specific gravity between two rare stones I will never come across. Nice photography.

[Shaoola · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gemstone guide on gemstones : )

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a 'basic' guide to gemstone quality minerals that is lavishly illustrated and has a massive amount of information. In many cases, likely more for the serious collector rather than the amateur hobbyist.

Examples of cut gems in their favored varieties from faceted, cabochon, polished flats and cameos. What the natural crystals look like alone, as a water-tumbled pebble or still in their matrix. Actual chemical composition and different names for different colors (like ruby and sapphire are different versions of corundum), hardness, locations or occurrence where found, remarks, luster, specific weight. Natural inclusions from insects in amber to rutile needles. Fracturing and cleavage. What causes the "cat's eyes" or the stars. The major metals used for settings - gold, silver and platinum.
And far more. As I said, perhaps more for the collector especially since many of the softer gemstones are not even cut unless requested by those fanciers.

Of course, the "pretty pictures" is what catches the eye as someone flips through the pages before the reader stops to read just a bit more. Then there are the historic examples from a Mayan jade mask to a blue john fluorite vase.

Even if it's to look up the qualities of your own birthstone or find which stone to look for to get that deep, rich blue (might be lapis or azurite), the book doesn't take long to go through and the brilliant examples would satisfy a temporary need for glitter and flash.

2022-127

[Silvia Letture caldi abbracci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una guida fotografica sintetica è utile per chi vuole conoscere le gemme.
Le gemme sono trattate in base alle loro caratteristiche naturali e distinte in base alla loro origine. L’ho acquistato usato perché sono amante dei cristalli. Infatti le 3 stelle sono dovute a questo. L’ho trovato riduttivo e scientifico, poco adatto a chi come me vuole avvicinarsi alle gemme non solo per l’aspetto della cristalloterapia.
Ma le informazioni essenziali ci sono e le foto sono utili.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 4 out of 5]

247 - 2017

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book taken out from the library for referencing purposes.

[Dorraine Rooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book to go gem hunting. I am so glad I did! The clear descriptions and pictures helped a lot

[Lindsey Haderlie Boulier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved learning about the different gems and how they can help the body.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The information seem ok, but the layout is scattered and the pictures are poor thus it's hard to use

[Denise Elwyn McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't exactly a book you read from cover to cover. Its a resource. I know absolutely nothing about gems, but this was excellently presented that novices like me could understand.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent reference book with clear images and nice technical details !

[Sami Ullah · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's very helpful for gemstone

[Issy Furiosi · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is so fire i loved my copy 10ish years ago as an autistic kid with a rock hyperfixation lol
10/10 would recommend to anyone who likes rocks or just wants to learn about them
(also if anyone knows where to buy one, please lmk i lost mine)

[Anastassiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This laconic book gave me a good introduction into the esoteric world of gemstones. A great, consice description of each gem. The photos are incredible, most of them I later discovered in the Natural History Museum (London).

The most spectacural of gems being Watermelon Tourmaline! Well pehaps after Chysoberil Alexandrite!

[Rebecca Huston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely little book on gemstones, full of pictures and straightup data, along with some history. Great for those of us who like bright shiny things that make us go 'Ooooooooh!'

For the full review please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Smiths...

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good reference book for gemstones for geologists or gemologists. Includes information such as color, crystal system, cleavage, fracure, hardness, specific gravity and refractive index for each gemstone. Discusses where in the world gemstones are found, how they are formed and how they are mined. Includes beautiful color photographs of gemstones of all shapes and sizes.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is basically the best gem handbook that I've found for anyone who doesn't have a professional certification. It gives all of the necessary information on a variety of stones, and some very interesting and useful history and information about other aspects of gemology.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very in depth and uses a lot of BIG words that even I can't understand

[Winnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kept reading this over and over again while I was obsessed with gemstones and jewels, this is a very handy guide.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good nonfiction book. It is richly illustrated with color photographs. The groupings of stones are logical, both by color and chemical composition. The science is also fascinating.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good pictures and highly informative. I read it because I wanted a beginner's overview, but a friend of mine has a copy that she uses for more depth than I am ready for.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

My quick go to book whenever I see a stone that interests me. Having a degree in Geology & a certification in Diamonds I from GIA helps me to understand at a glance what the stone is all about.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this world within a world the gemmologist may turn detective, being able to distinguish between two outwardly similar stones, or between a natural stone and a fake.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love