Gems: A Lively Guide for the Casual Collector (Rocks, Minerals and Gemstones)

If you love the beauty of gems but have trouble distinguishing a topaz from a sapphire, this book is for you. How can you make sure you are getting good value for your money? Just buy this book! Dan Dennis, the gem show host whose popularity with Home Shopping Network viewers nationwide has helped to fuel the recent explosion in the gem collecting market, offers a wealth of useful facts and fascinating lore about gems in this funny yet practical illustrated guide.

With the same passion and entertaining, informative style that has marked his television appearances over the past 15 years, Dennis covers in detail more than 100 different gems-from diamonds, pearls, and rubies to emeralds, jade, opals, and a host of less-familiar stones as well. The book describes the often surprising route a gem takes from rough stone to polished and set jewelry; lists birth and astral stones; and offers helpful tips on how to buy jewelry and how to care for your treasures once you do.

60 illustrations, 55 in full color, 8 x 10"

DANIEL J. DENNIS, JR., is a gemstone specialist and senior gem show host for the Home Shopping Network. Dennis, his wife Linda, and family reside in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Registered gemologist Newman understands this. In her two new guides, Newman continues her tradition of user-friendly texts that are technical enough to help consumers make wise purchases. Like her other well-regarded guides (e.g., The Gold Jewelry Buying Guide), this book is profusely illustrated with color photographs"most by Newman"showing not only the beauty of finished jewelry but close-ups and magnifications of details such as finish, settings, cut, clarity, flaws, and fakes. Sections on testing and judging the real from the fake are sophisticated enough for professionals to use. All three books are enjoyable reading, but Newman!s guides are the ones to take along when shopping. Gems will find a place in larger collections in need of a broad, basic guide. Newman!s books are highly recommended for both academic and public libraries of all sizes."Therese Duzinkiewicz Baker, Western Kentucky Univ. Libs., Bowling Green
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