Since it was first published in 1962 'Gems' has become universally recognised as the most comprehensive and authoritative treatise on gem materials in the English language. This sixth edition, has been revised for relevance to today's practice and includes an expanded encyclopedic section.

Newly published in a fifth edition, this definitive guide takes the mystery out of appreciating, buying and selling gemstones. It covers everything from the romance and history of more than 1,800 gemstones to their geographic locations; scientific, physical and colour properties; and the way they are formed, structured and mined.

A comprehensive reference guide to gem and ornamental materials, this book deals with each gem species, outlining all the features a gem tester has to know before making an identification.

Covers such materials as Amber and Copal; Jet; Ivory; Bone; Antler; Rhino horn; Horn; Tortoiseshell; Pearl; Shell; Coral, and other materials of plant and animal origin that have been used as gem or ornamental material. This book describes how to recognize them and how to distinguish them from the materials most commonly used to imitate them.

A comprehensive and visual gemology resource featuring more than 100 prominent gemstones.

Chapters on Diamonds, Turquoise, Topaz and Tourmaline, the Garnet group, Beryl, Corundum, Sapphire, Quartz, Feldspar and many others.

Arranged by mineral, each chapter features history and uses.

Browse to the Gemstones chapter in the U.S. Geological Survey's Commodity Statistics.