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This definitive work
is the first of its kind, an introduction to the quality and
beauty of gemstones that assists in judging their value and
price. Though there are many publications that deal with the
mineralogical properties of gemstones, books that discuss the
essence of their beauty, how to verify their quality, and how to
judge their value are almost non-existent.
Using full-page,
high-quality color photographs and a powerful system of quality
and value assessment, the first chapter examines 24 gemstone
varieties, explaining the subtle nuances that contribute to
their unique beauty, the wide range of quality levels they occur
in, common treatments, and how these factors interact to affect
their value in the marketplace.
Chapter 2 discusses
gemstones in the context of their relationship with people, from
mining, cutting, and manufacturing, to buying and selling,
wearing, and secondary markets.
While simple enough
for a layperson to understand, with a glossary of gemological
and trade terms, the concepts introduced in this book are
powerful enough to be useful to members of the gemstone and
jewelry industry, whether they be cutters, wholesalers,
appraisers, or retailers.
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