Amber, the Golden Gem of the Ages

Rice, Patty C.

ISBN 10: 0442261381 / ISBN 13: 9780442261382

Published by Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1980

About this Item

AMBER, THE GOLDEN GEM OF THE AGES by Patty C. Rice, hardcover with dust jacket (price clipped), 1st American edition, 1st printing, illustrations (B/W and color), 1980. BOOK CONDITION: near fine. The text block and illustrations are in fine condition, with no marks, tears, or dog-ears. Not a library book nor remainder. There is no bookplate nor signature of prior owner. Tight binding. The black boards are in near fine condition. The dust jacket is in good condition (some shelf rubbing and scratches; museum bookstore price tag still affixed to back of jacket). 10 ¼ x 7 ¼, 289 pages, 30 ounces. XX. (From the dust jacket flap) From history and lore to modern sources and commercial usage, AMBER: THE GOLDEN GEM OF THE AGES brings you a wealth of information on every aspect of amber. It is as completely up to date as it is all-encompassing and is the first definitive study of amber to be published in fifty years. The author pinpoints the original sources of amber and its variety of colors and textures, then describes its historical usage. She recounts its use by early man during the Stone Age and Bronze Age, the ancient amber trade routes and the use of amber in classical cultures. Dr. Rice then traces the amber industry's growth from the guilds of the Middle Ages to current development and mining techniques in the Baltic regions. You'll find interesting descriptions of archaelogical finds of ancient amber, intriguing facts on mystical beliefs and folklore associated with amber .and fascinating historical illustrations of the first fake inclusions recorded in amber. Data on physical and chemical properties are accompanied by appropriate tests and methods for identifying genuine amber. The book features summaries of scientific studies conducted by leading researchers, geological descriptions of regions where amber is found. and biological information on findings of fossil insects and other arthropods in amber, as well as on the use of amber as a botanical product to gain knowledge of plant evolution. A complete review of amber's commercial aspects includes commonly used imitations and substitutes ranging from early Bakelite jewelry to modern Bernit. Detailed methods are provided for pressing or reconstructing small amber chips and using them with plastic to make "polybern" ornaments. Additional step-by-step directions tell you how to cut, drill, and polish rough amber into radiant jewelry. When you want to know more about the Russian amber room, Chinese amber carvings or amber art from the Middle Ages or the mythology surrounding amber in various cultures?consult AMBER: THE GOLDEN GEM OF THE AGES. [ABOUT THE AUTHOR] Patty C. Rice earned her Ph.D. in Education, Child Development, and Language Arts, with an undergraduate major in science, at Michigan State University. Her extensive amber collection has received trophies and first place awards in the educational exhibits of numerous gem and mineral shows. She has traveled abroad extensively to observe amber industry and mining techniques, as well as to add unique ornaments to her collection. Her work in jewelry design has been shown by fashion designer Efrocene of Washington, D.C., as well as featured in Gems and Minerals International. Her articles on amber have appeared in American Way, Gems and Minerals International, Lapidary Journal, and Rocks and Minerals.

Seller Inventory # 001085

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Amber, the Golden Gem of the Ages
• Publisher: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York
• Publication Date: 1980
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0442261381
• ISBN 13: 9780442261382
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Printing: 1st Printing
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Good
• Weight: 30 ounces
• Seller catalogs:
  • Gems
  • Folklore
  • Jewelry

About this title

Synopsis

Amber: Golden Gem of the Ages, Fourth Edition is unique --· because it describes the Baltic amber industry which has utilized amber as a gem stone throughout the ages. It also describes a variety of fossil resins, their characteristic and locations. It includes the most recent research and directs other researchers to sources such the internet and publications. · The mining of amber in Kaliningrad and Gdansk hydraulic extraction are featured in a photo-documentation format. This feature is very unique. The book also includes photos of mines dug in Bayaguana and Santiago, Dominican Republic. · It includes illustration and descriptions of outstanding amber artists as well as the leading scientists studying amber as a fossil resin. The description of the Amber Room and its restoration that opened to the public in May 2003 is current and unique.The original version of this book was considered a definitive work-- a reference for other amber researchers and scientists. In the late 1980's modern scientific equipment revolutionized the thinking about amber. The fossil insects were studied to reveal information about evolution of the fauna and flora of prehistoric times. TheFourth Edition includes descriptions of work of David Grimaldi, Rob DeSalle, George Poinar, and Raul Cano, pioneers in DNA research from amber fossils. George Poinar donated photographs of many of his discoveries of "first" published representatives of various classes of insects and parasites. This book includes something for everyone studying amber from a variety of points of view. Even archaeological finds and mythological information gives amber a humanistic side since amber was used by primitive people in many cultures. &

About the Author

Dr. Rice received her Ph.D. from Michigan State University. Her extensive amber collection has received numerous trophies and first-place awards in mineral shows through out the U.S. ands Canada. She has travelled extensively to observe first-hand the amber industry and mining techniques, is a popular amber lecturer, has authored many articles in professional gem and mineral journals, and is an expert appraiser of amber holdings.Her work as a jewelry designer has received wide recognition.. She has lectured at Gem and Mineral Shows throughout U.S.A., Canada, and Poland.Dr. Rice has presented for Burgess-Jastak Arts Foundation andUniversity of Delaware Gallery, Wilmington, DE.; Loyal College Gallery, Philadelphia, Penn.; Kansas City Mineralogical Society, MO.; Toronto Gem and Mineral Society, Canada; American Polish Engineering Association, Detroit, MI.; Friends of Polish Arts, Detroit; Midwest Mineralogical Society, Detroit; Mt. Clemens Gem and Mineral Society,Ann Arbor Mineralogical Society, and Flint Mineral Society, MI. She was invited to present her "Artistry in Amber Exhibition" materials at the World Conference on Amber at the Museum Zeimi, Warsaw, Poland, in 1988, and to consult on amber in Bresia, Italy in 1996. She attended the International Symposium on Amber at the Gdansk Archaeology Museum in 1998 and visited the restored amber room in 2003 in Russia.