Gems - A lively guide for the casual collector

Whether you have always wanted to know more about the precious possessions you already own or are still planning to make your first serious jewelry purchase, Gems: A Lively Guide for the Casual Collector is just what you have been waiting for.

A user-friendly guide combining facts and folklore, it addresses the needs of the casual gem buyer who may not know a topaz from a sapphire, and it does so in a lighthearted style.
The first chapters examine our fascination with gems and the many remarkable effects produced by their interaction with light; follow the often surprising route gemstones take from rough stone to cut, polished, and set jewelry; and describe important factors to understand before making a purchase. The book then looks at more than 100 different gemstones in detail, from diamonds (which get their own chapter) and rubies to garnets, opals, and a host of less familiar gems, An extended look at jade is followed by the organics, treasures such as pearls and amber that are derived from animals or plants.

 The final chapter contains a wide variety of reference lists, ranging from helpful hints about buying and caring for jewelry to information about birthstones and astral stones.

• Condition: Used - Good
• Type: Hardback
• Dimensions: 21 x 26 x 2cm