Gemstones (Smithsonian Handbooks)

Beautifully photographed and explained, this look at gemstones dazzles the eye and mind. A color key section groups genstones according to color; other information is also available including formation, properties, enhancement, Mohs scale ratings and more. 160 pages, paperback. more

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1-10 out of 26

From: Amazon
Posted: Feb-02-2009

More of a science school book

It had great descriptions and wonderful pictures but I think this book would benefit a jeweler more than the average consumer. A novice would easily get confused because the author uses more scientific words than the everyday name of the stone. For example: you want to search the book for...

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From: Amazon
Posted: Nov-29-2008

Informative

Well written and informative. The author is very knowledgeable, the book itself is very interesting and easy to understand.

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From: Amazon
Posted: Jun-18-2008

Good for real gems, but...

I'm a new beader, and while this is a beautiful book, many of the stones I buy are not listed when I look them up in the color-code index. My hopes were that when I forgot what the stone was called, or wanted more info to tell my customers, I could find it. There are so many color variations...

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From: Amazon
Posted: Jan-29-2008

Gemstones Galore!

This book is very informative of the types of gems. Look who wrote it, that tells the rest of the story. Would recommend buying this book.

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From: Amazon
Posted: Jan-07-2008

pocket sized

Its a very thorough reference guide. Kind of like a field guide that you could carry with you. It is organized very well and gives some good in depth information. I think for some users they may find some of the information quite over their heads. Being a Smithsonian publication it of course...

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From: Amazon
Posted: Dec-18-2007

Absolutely beautiful and informative book.

This is great reference gook if you are interested in gemstones and where they are found. I first checked this book out of the library to see if I wanted to buy it. I definitely wanted my own copy. I keep this by my computer, along with a copy "Gemstones of the World" by Walter Schumann, when...

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From: Amazon
Posted: Dec-02-2007

Great Reference Tool

I Guess I'm part Crow; Shiney, Sparkley things definetly attract my attention, while the human side of me wants to know what they are, where they come from, and how they are formed. This book actually appeals to both sides. The color plates are very eye appealing, so my crow self is happy and my...

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From: Amazon
Posted: Nov-27-2007

Great little book.

This is a great little book. I bought a copy for my rock and gem club's library, and we liked it so well that we bought another copy and donated it to our local public library. I especially like the way it shows the gems and minerals in their natural state, then cabochoned, cut and polished also.

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From: Amazon
Posted: Sep-03-2007

A handy quick reference guide that is easy to use.

I fear that I am a bit of a magpie. I like shiny sparkly things, and the usual response is Ooooh! Shiny! And as a young one, when taken on various trips, I started to take an interest in rockhounding and geology. It was finding gemstones that were the real fun, seeing these little bits of...

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From: Amazon
Posted: Aug-14-2007

Gemstones Handbook

Great Book...full of useful information. The pictures really give you an indepth but brief description of the item discussed. This book is absolutely essential to the amature hobby collectors out there.

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