Gems and Jewels: A Connoisseur's Guide
- ISBN-10
- 0500973172
- ISBN-13
- 9780500973172
- Category
- Gems
- Pages
- 248
- Language
- English
- Published
- 1984
- Author
- Benjamin Zucker
Description
Gems and jewels have, since the beginnings of civilization, been prized as tokens of love, as symbols of wealth and social status, or as objects endowed with magical or religious significance. In "Gems and Jewels," internationally renowned gem expert and dealer Benjamin Zucker reveals much of the history and mystique surrounding these precious objects. Divided into chapters devoted to rubies, sapphires, emeralds, white diamonds and colored diamonds, pearls, amber, lapis lazuli, jade, turquoise, opals, and garnets, "Gems and Jewels" features compelling descriptions and insights into the chemical composition of these stones, the methods and styles of cutting them in different periods, discussions of outstanding specimen stones-such as the Tiffany diamond-and comparisons of key differences in shades of color within one type of gemstone-as in the case of opals from Australia and Mexico, and sapphires from Kashmir and Ceylon. A gorgeous illustrated book for lovers of gems and jewels and an important volume for professionals, this unique volume also provides the vital clues that enable the expert eye to distinguish between natural and synthetic stones, and between natural and cultured pearls, and also supplies guidelines on methods of grading and on relative market values.
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