Rocks Books / recommendations / feed

Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World

Back to home
 
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $45.00
Sale Price: $28.21
Free Shipping Available
Buy Now
 

About the Book
Gems are objects of wealth, icons of beauty, and emblems of the very best of everything. They are kept as signs of prestige or power. Given as tokens of love and affection, they also come in a kaleidoscopic array of hues and can be either mineral or organic. Gems can command a person’s gaze in the way they play with light and express rich color. And they can evoke feelings of passion, greed, mystery, and warmth.

For millennia, gems have played an important role in human culture: they have significant value, both financially and within folklore and mythology. But just what are gems, exactly? This lavishly illustrated volume—the most ambitious publication of its kind—provides a general introduction to gems and natural gemstones, conveying their timeless beauty and exploring similarities among different species and varieties. Gems and Gemstones features nearly 300 color images of the cut gems, precious and semiprecious stones, gem-quality mineral specimens, and fine jewelry to be unveiled in a new Grainger Hall of Gems at The Field Museum in Chicago this October. The book and exhibition’s overarching theme will be the relationship between finished gems and their natural origin: while beautiful as faceted and polished pieces of jewelry, gems are often just as lovely—or even more so—as gemstones in their natural state. For example, an aquamarine or emerald as originally found in a mine with its natural crystal faces can be as stunning as any cut and polished gem prepared for a ring, bracelet, or charm.

Thoughtful of both ancient and modern times, Gems and Gemstones also includes fun-filled facts and anecdotes that broaden the historical portrait of each specimen. When Harry Winston, for instance, donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian in 1958, he sent it through the U.S. mail wrapped in plain brown paper. And for anyone who has ever marveled at the innovations of top jewelry designers, Gems and Gemstones features a dazzling array of polished stones, gold objects, and creations from around the world. Diamonds, sapphires, rubies, amethysts, pearls, topaz, amber—every major gem gets its due in what will be an invaluable source on the subject for years to come.

Extra Info
  • ISBN13: 9780226305110
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

What those that bought it thought...
Outstanding new book on gemstones
 
Review Date: January 11, 2010
Reviewer: Snooper's Mom, Hudson, NH USA
Wonderful new book on gemstones really delivers! Instead of a few tiny color photos at the back, like other books, this book actually is primarily composed of color photos. The accompanying information will inspire even more investigation for the amateur gemologist--there is a map of mining locations, for instance.
There are photos of both the original minerals and jewelry made from the resulting gems.
This is one of the best books I have ever encountered on the subject, very thoughtfully organized and entertaining as well. Highly recommended !
Well presented, balanced information
 
Review Date: February 20, 2010
Reviewer: T. McMahon,
Well balanced in terms of geological information, history, and aesthetic presentation (images are outstanding and the book is well designed.) Much of the text is legitimately interesting to read; I found myself reading through large portions, which is rare for gem book. The book begins with well written introduction that properly prepares the reader for the information laid out throughout the book. Short chapters at the end on simulated stones, mining, and ethics were welcome additions.

My only gripe (not important enough to detract from my rating)is that materials from the Grainger Hall of Gems collection that were too soft for practical use were omitted with exceptions for commonly used organic materials, e.g. pearls, amber, ivory. This was somewhat frustrating, and I'm sure they would have used beautiful images to represent them. A condensed "too soft for jewelry" chapter would have been nice., the chapter on metals, aptly titled "Precious Metals (Primarily Gold)" only deals with gold; I expected at least silver to get an equal treatment. Of course, this book is plenty satisfying already, and a great buy for the price

Related Books


No comments

Leave a comment