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Gemstones Symbols of Beauty and Power
by Eduard Gübelin and Franz-Xavier Erni
Hard cover, 12" x 10", 240 pages, copyright 2000
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Sample page Gemstones Symbols of Beauty and Power offers the reader deep insight into the fascinating world of gemstones. It provides exact description of the individual gems and goes into their origins and their extraction. In his graphic style, Eduard Gübelin reports on the events deep inside the earth eons ago that lead to the creation of these superlative, sparkling natural products and their colorful radiance. Even if these wonders of nature can be reduced to chemical formulae, they nevertheless lose nothing of the fascination that they have had for humans since time immemorial.
Franz-Xavier Erni offers the reader a spellbinding tale of how gemstones have loyally accompanied humans throughout history. How gemstones have served women as jewelry and men as symbols of their power. The loveliest of gems adorn women's jewelry as well as the crowns and insignia of worldly and spiritual rulers.
Throughout the ages, individual gems have been allocated to the months of the year and to the signs of the zodiac and imbued with special healing powers in popular imagination. This book offers qualified answers to all questions relating to gemstones; it is not only an exciting read but also a reference work that can be consulted as required.
Gemstones: their characteristics and their origin covers 8 The exquisite rarity, 16 The causes of color variety, and 20 A commitment to eternity.
Gemstones: their extraction and processing covers 24 The extraction of gemstones, 32 The cutting of diamonds, 34 The cutting of color gemstones, 36 Polishing Agate, and 37 Glyptography.
Portraits of the gemstones covers 42 The beauty of color gems, 44 The beauty of the phenomena gems, 46 Diamond: King of gemstones, 56 Corundum: the colorful palette, 60 Ruby: divine crystal spark, 66 Sapphire: symbol of the firmament, 72 Beryl the palette of pastel colors, 76 Emerald: glittering like leaves in may, 82 Chrysoberyl: an exquisite trio, 86 Feldspars: a major company, 90 Garnets: a courtly household of noble vassals, 94 Opal: humming bird and firebird, 100 Peridot: green-golden ray of sunshine, 104 Quartz: bustling globetrotter, 108 Spinel: the corundum's disguised twin, 112 Spodumene: phoenix from the ashes, 114 Tanzanite: blue patrician from black africa, 118 Topaz: chalice of golden crystal, 122 Tourmaline: alpha and omega, and 126 Zircon: dizzying quick change artist.
Portraits of ornamental gems covers 132 The beauty of ornamental gems, Agate: fire and flames, 136 Charoite: reed pipes from the russian karst, 138 Jade: Metaphor for luck, 142: Lapis lazuli: incarnation of the starry firmament, 144 Malachite: master of the green shades, 146 Rhodochrosite and rhodonite, 148 Sugilite: budding mallow spur, and 150: Turquoise: morning fresh bloom of heaven.
Gemstones: symbols of authority and power covers 174 Exquisite treasures, 180 Noble gems for the word of god, and 188 Votive and consecretion crowns.
Beauty, magic and medicine covers 194 Famous jewels and their history, 202 Of seals, amulets and talismans, 208 Stones of the month - birthstones and 214 Gemstone medicine.
The fascination of internal life covers inclusions in gemstones.
A passion for collecting covers collecting rare gemstones such as benitoite, andalusite, danburite, sillimanite, kornerupines, sinhalite, sphene, taaffeite, scapolite, and others.
Natural or not? covers synthetics, composites and gemstone imitations.
Anyone interested in the mineralogy, creation, history and lore of gemstones will appreciate Gemstones Symbols of Beauty and Power as an authoritative, must have read and reference for their personal library.

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Genuine Diamonds Found In Arkansas
by Glenn W. Worthington
Soft cover, 11" x 8.5", 178 pages, copyright 2007.
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Sample Page Genuine Diamonds Found In Arkansas is a superlatively researched and illustrated read on the geology, history, techniques and lore of mining diamonds in Arkansas. It features 218 photographs, maps and charts to help illustrate and explain the story of diamond mining in Arkansas, including 32 pages of color photographs showing Arkansas diamonds in their natural, uncut forms. This book is authoritatively written by an author involved in both commercial Arkansas diamond mining operations as well as years of digging alongside other dedicated diamond diggers and more casual visitors to the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas.
The role of continental drift and crustal faulting associated with the Appalacian and Ouachita Mountains related to the formation the diamond bearing lamproite pipes occuring in Arkansas is examined. Why there are diamonds in Arkansas and how they have become concentrated in enriched surface material through the processes of weathering and erosion is explained. Learn about the history of commercial diamond mining in Arkansas and how Crater of Diamonds State Park came to be a unique place in the world where visitors can search for and keep any diamond they find.
Genuine Diamonds Found In Arkansas is rich in human history and weaves a colorful tapestry of the many stories behind diamond mining in Arkansas, beginning with the 1906 discovery of diamonds in Arkansas by illiterate hog farmer John Wesley Huddleston on the 160 acre tract he purchased with the down payment of a mule. Enjoy the inspiring saga of "Diamond James Archer" whose persistence and tenacity over a 30-year span of diamond digging in Arkansas made him a legendary icon who has found literally thousands of diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park, including an astounding 85 diamonds over one carat in weight. Marvel at the beginner's luck of Oklahoma state highway patrolman Marvin Culver, who attended the park's introductory course "Diamond Mining 101" on his family's first visit to the park and then found a flawless, 4.21 carat golden canary diamond after washing just one and a half buckets of lamproite.
The Uncle Sam, the largest diamond ever found in the United States, is an Arkansas diamond. The 40.23 carat, pinkish-white Uncle Sam was recovered during Arkansas Diamond Corporation operations preceeding the purchase of the Crater of Diamonds by the State of Arkansas in 1972 for development as a state park. The 3.03 carat Strawn-Wagner Diamond was found at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in 1990. After being cut, the Strawn-Wagner Diamond is the most perfect diamond ever certified by the the American Gem Society, receiving a perfect grade of O/O/O (Ideal cut/D color/ Flawless), or "Triple Zero," the highest grade a diamond can achieve. Did you know that over 25,000 diamonds have been found by diggers and visitors to Crater of Diamonds State Park since it was established, with over 740 of those exceeding a carat in weight? Over 1000 diamonds were found by visitors to Crater of Diamonds State Park in 2007. If you are planning to visit and try your own luck at Crater of Diamonds State Park, or are simply interested in the geology and history behind diamonds and diamond mining in Arkansas, Genuine Diamonds Found In Arkansas is a highly recommended book that belongs in your personal library.

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Jade
by Fred Ward In Jade, Fred Ward presents the history and lore of jade. Chapters include In the Beginning, China and the Stone of Heaven, The Olmec, Maya and Aztec in Mesoamerica, The Maori in New Zealand, Jade today in Burma, China, Canada, New Zealand, Guatemala, Russia and the United States, and Buying and Caring for Jade. Any reader with an interest in gemstones and jade will appreciate this beautifully illustrated book. Soft cover, 6" x 9", 64 pages.

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Legendary Gems or Gems that Made History
by Eric Bruton This absorbing and often astonishing history of legendary gems is told with style and wit by expert gemologist Eric Bruton. Amid legends and intrigue are hard facts about gems - classification, valuation and engraving. Prospecting and mining details, plus the inside and sometimes sordid stories of how enormous stones were cut and dispersed in great secrecy, make this book a must for the gem fancier, collector, gemologist and jeweler. Much of the background for Legendary Gems or Gems that Made History was gleaned first hand by Bruton in the gem mines of India, Africa, Asia and South America. Hard Cover, 7" x 9.5", 239 pages.

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Opals
by Fred Ward
Soft cover, 6" x 9", 64 pages, copyright 2000.
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Sample page In Opals, Fred Ward presents the history and lore of Opal. Chapters include History and Lore, Black Opal, Boulder Opal, Light Opal, Crystals and Fossils, Mexican Opal, Assembled Opals, Synthetics, and Simulants, Buying and Caring for Opal, and Play-of-Color. Any reader with an interest in gemstones and opals will appreciate this lavishly illustrated book.

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Pearls
by Fred Ward
Soft cover, 6" x 9", 65 pages, copyright 2002.
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Sample page In Pearls, Fred Ward presents the history and lore of pearls. Chapters include History and Lore, Natural Pearls, Cultured Saltwater Pearls, Cultured Freshwater Pearls, Mother-of-Pearl and Shell Products, Imitation Pearls, Buying and Caring for Pearls, and Determining Pearl Quality. Any reader with an interest in gemstones and pearls will appreciate this lavishly illustrated book.

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Rubies and Sapphires
by Fred Ward
Soft cover, 6" x 9", 64 pages, copyright 1998.
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Sample page In Rubies and Sapphires, Fred Ward presents the history and lore of rubies and sapphires. Chapters include History and Lore, The Hunt for Treasure, Romancing the Stone, Jewels and Artifacts, Lab-Grown Corundum and Stimulants, and Buying and Caring for Rubies & Sapphires. Any reader with an interest in gemstones and rubies and sapphires will appreciate this lavishly illustrated book.

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Secrets of the Gem Trade
by Richard W. Wise It took 5,000 years, but glory hallelujah, at last a book about gemstones that puts the customer in the driver's seat. Whether you are a jeweler, collector, dealer or just plain jewelry lover, you will learn the true principles of connoissership, criteria that have, until now, been the exclusive property of a chosen few. Over 100 color photographs including some of the world's rarest and most costly gems including the Hope Diamond, the Dresden Green Diamond, the Caplan Ruby and the Rockefeller Sapphire. Major Sections include Becoming a Connoisseur, A New List of Precious Gemstones, and detailed discussions and photographs of Alexandrite, Amethyst, the Beryl Family, Chalcedonies, the Garnet Group, the World of Pearls, Ruby and Sapphire, Opal, Tourmaline, Fancy Color Diamonds, Lapis Lazuli and Spinel. This book is sure to be appreciated by anyone with an interest in gems and gemstones. Highly recommended. Hard Cover, 8" x 12", 273 pages.

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The Spectroscope and Gemmology
by Basil Anderson and James Payne
Soft cover, 9" x 6", 269 pages, copyright 2006
Sample page The Spectroscope and Gemmology is the first book devoted exclusively to the spectroscope and its use in gemstone identification. Until 1933 the refractometer and microscope were the two principle tools in gem testing. Then B.W. Anderson introduced the hand spectroscope which quickly became the third vital instrument for the UK gemmologist. The publication of Anderson's papers in the mid -1950s alerted gem laboratories world wide to the importance of this instrument. Today its use is universal.
Anderson and his life long colleague, Payne, both of the world's first full-time gemmological laboratory, were the pioneers in recognizing the vast potential of the spectroscope for this purpose. The Spectroscope and Gemmology, as the extensively edited, updated and enlarged version of Anderson's original papers, provides a vital textbook wherever gemmology is used or taught. The distinguished gemmologist R. Keith Mitchell has undertaken the editing and has added chapters on the Pye spectrophotometer and on lasers. He has also reproduced new line drawings of spectra in three aspects to accommodate the prism instrument in both the British version and that favored by American gemmologists, and in another version as seen through the diffraction grating instrument.
Written for gemmologists everywhere and incorporating the latest developments this book will prove indispensable to all engaged in gemstone identification. The Spectroscope and Gemmology is organized into two major sections, The History and Development of Spectroscopy and Absorption of Gem Materials. A 5 page appendix provides references and notes. The History and Development of Spectroscopy covers 'The Celebrated Phenomena of Colours', The Yellow Lines of Sodium, The Absorption Spectra of Solids, Other Uses of the Spectroscope, Emission Spectra, The Quartz Spectrograph and The Spectrophotometer.
Absorption of Gem Materials covers Absorption Spectra, Light Sources - The Causes of Color, Absorption and Fluorescent Spectrum of Ruby, Absorption and Fluorescent Spectrum of Red Spinel, Absorption Spectra of Pyrope and Topaz, Absorption Spectrum of Emerald, Absorption Spectrum of Alexandrite, Absorption Spectrum of Jadeite, Absorption Spectrum of Demantoid Garnet, Other Chromium Spectra, Absorption Spectrum of Almandine Garnet, Absorption Spectrum of Blue Spinel, Absorption Spectra of Peridot and Sinhalite, Absorption Spectra of Enstatite and Diopside, Absorption Spectra of Kornerupine and Axinite, Absorption Spectra of Absorption Spectra of Green Tourmaline and Iolite, Absorption Spectra of Idocrase, Actinolite and Serpentine, Absorption Spectra of Sapphire and Chrysoberyl, Absorption Spectra of Aquamarine and Orthoclase: Spodumene and Jadite, Absorption Spectra of Andradite and Epidote, Absorption Spectra due to Manganese, Absorption Spectra due to Cobalt and Vanadium, Absorption Spectra due to Copper: The Spectrum of Turquoise, Absorption Spectra of Zircon, The Rare Earth Elements, Absorption Spectra of Diamond, Miscellaneous Spectra, Absorption in Synthetic Gemstones, Absorption Spectra of Glasses, Fluorescence Spectra, and Summary of Absorption Spectra.

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Turquoise
Mines, Mineral & Wearable Art
by Mark P. Block
Soft cover, 11" x 8.5", 160 pages, copyright 2007.
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Sample Page Explore the fascinating story of turquoise, its history from ancient times to the present, and the influence of native artists in making this gemstone part of popular culture in America. Lavishly illustrated with over 390 dazzling color images, this book shows turquoise from New Mexico to Nevada, China to Iran, and all the important localities in between, in its natural state, cut, polished and set into silver and gold jewelry. Detailed text discusses its values and many mines that have relinquished turquoise over thousands of years. This comprehensive guide introduces more information on turquoise than you have ever anticipated or seen before.
Chapter 1. The Mineral, describes turquoise as a mineral, the history of turquoise mining and trade in antiquity, and its spiritual significance in Native American cultures. Chapter 2. Gem of Beauty, explains grades and treatments of turquoise, and how turquoise is valued. Criteria are presented for classifying turquoise as very high grade, high grade, jewelry grade, good grade and chalk or bulk grade. Chapter 3. Countries of Origin, provides an overview and discusses historic and contemporary sources of turquoise.
Chapter 4. Turquoise Mines, Mineral & Wearable Art is by far most extensive chapter in Turquoise, presenting a lavishly illustrated 132 page photo gallery of rough and cut turquoise from numerous localities including Bisbee, Blue Gem, Blue Jay, Candelaria, Carico Lake, Castle Dome, Cerrillos, China, Cripple Creek, Damele, Dry Creek, Easter Blue, Emerald Valley, Fox, Godber and Burnham, Hachita, Indian Mountain, Kingman, Lander Blue, Lone Mountain, Manassa, Mojave, Morenci, Number 8, Orvil Jack, Paiute, Persia, Peru, Red Mountain, Royston, Sleeping Beauty, Stennich, Stormy Mountain, Timberline, Turquoise Mountain, and Tyrone. Many of the photos illustrate the turquoise as cut and polished stones incorporated in outstanding examples of Native American jewelry. Hundreds of the illustrative pieces incorporate current price guides useful to anyone involved in appraising and valuing turquoise stones and jewelry. A glossary, bibliography and index are also included.
Whether you are a turquoise fancier and appreciator, turquoise or Navtive American jewlery collector, or a jewelry maker interested in turquoise and Native American styles and techniques, Turquoise is a must-have working reference and dream book for your personal library.

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Turquoise and the Navajo
by Lee Hammons and Gertrude Frances Hill Turquoise and the Navajo introduces the Navajo and his turquoise to the layman in non-technical language. This work is a sketch of the Navajo people; a picture more than a chronology. The emphasis is placed heavily on the part that turquoise has historically played in both the spiritual and the everyday aspects of Navajo lives. Soft cover, 6" x 9", 34 pages.

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Turquoise Unearthed
An Illustrated Guide
by Joe Dan Lowry and Joe P. Lowry
Soft cover, 9" x 6", 74 pages, copyright 2002.
Sample page Turquoise Unearthed showcases exquisite examples of rough and polished natural turquoise from more than twenty famous "classic" mines, including Lander Blue, Number 8, Brisbane, and Lone Mountain. Appealing to rock hounds and serious collectors alike, Turquoise Unearthed is a definitive, contemporary visual guide.
Here, too, are spectacular works by modern jewelers, along with fascinating ancient and historic Native Americian turquoise jewelry and cremeonial objects. Chapters include: Turquoise: The Sky Stone, Working With Turquoise, Buying Turquoise, Classic Southwestern Turquoise Mines, and Museums And Collections. An index and appendix of recommended reading is also presented.

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World of Gemstones
by Rudolf Duda and Lubos Rejl
Hard cover, 5.5" x 8", 191 pages, copyright 1996
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Sample page Gemstones have a magical life of their own. Passed on from generation to generation, they are silent witnesses of the distant past...
Here in 260 vivid color photographs are over 80 species and varieties of gemstones from across the world - In their natural shapes, cut and mounted in jewelry. Included are not only the classic gemstones and precious metals, but also many recently discovered stones, others made by living things - pearls, amber, and coral - and even some common rocks, whose uniqueness stands out only after they have been cut and polished. Read about their origin and properties, their history, astrology and legendary healing powers - and you might find a gemstone that could change your life!
World of Gemstones is organized into three major sections. The introductory section provides basic information about gemstones and their properties, as well as how to identify, process, and care for them. It explains physical and chemical terms, host rocks and occurrences, treatment, different methods of processing, and problems with the care of gemstones; it also touches on their reputed healing effects. Supplied with useful illustrations, the main part of the book serves as a monograph on gemstones. Particular properties are grouped together so that readers can identify gemstones directly, either by visual observation or with simple laboratory tests. The final part includes additional information, a list of recommended reading, and an index. Contents include: Definition of the Term Gemstone; Names of Gemstones, Chemical Formulas, Visually Observable Properties; Properties Determined Using Simple Instruments or Tools; Treatment; History of Gemstones; Astrology and Gemstone Healing; Host Rocks and Occurrences; Processing; Identification; Imitations; Care of Gemstones; Gemstones Illustrated; Rare Gemstones and Synthetic and Imitation Gemstones.

References for Rockhounds
Gemstones

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Optical Crystallography
by F. Donald Bloss Optical Crystallography isn't a text about faceting or gemstone design per se. But this is an essential text and reference for any faceter or gemstone designer desiring a more than superficial understanding regarding how light actually behaves in mineral crystals. There's significantly more to the behavior of light in gemstones than presented in typical faceting related texts, and optical crystallography is the scientific study of the behavior of light in crystals. This is a college level text published by the Mineralogical Society of America - be prepared for technical language and a fair amount of mathematics involved the presentation. Chapters include Light and Related Phenomena, Light in Isotropic Media, Lenses and the Compound Microscope, The Polarizing Light Microscope, Optical Examination of Isotropic Substances, Optical Indicatrices and Ellipses, The Interference of Light, Optical Examination of Uniaxial Crystals, Introducing the Spindle Stage, Biaxial Crystals, Optical Examination of Biaxial Crystals, Spindle Stage Study of Biaxial Crystals and Rapid Optical Determination of Asbestos Fibers by Dispersion Staining. Read an in-depth Book Review of Optical Crystallography originally published in the American Mineralogist.