
Gem Identification Made Easy, 4th Edition
A Hands-On Guide to More Confident Buying & Selling
By: Antoinette Matlins, Antonio C. Bonanno
eBook | 17 July 2012 | Edition Number 4
At a Glance
384 Pages
eBook
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Gem Identification Made Easy is the first and only book that explains in non-technical terms how to identify diamonds and colored gems, and how to separate natural gems from imitations, treated stones, synthetics, and look-alikes. The books approach is direct and practical, and its style easy to understand. In fact, with this highly accessible guide, anyone can begin to master gem identification.
Using a simple, step-by-step system, the authors explain how to properly use essential but uncomplicated instruments to identify stones, what to look for gemstone by gemstone, and how to set up a basic lab at modest cost. Three of the instruments are inexpensive, portable, pocket instruments that, when used together, can identify almost 85% of all precious and popular stones.
The key to avoiding costly mistakes and recognizing profitable opportunities is knowing both what to look for and what to look out for.
Gem Identification Made Easy will help you:
- Open your eyes to the types of treatments, imitations, synthetics, look-alikes, and fakes in the gem market today.
- Learn how to tell the difference between them. Quickly spot:
- Synthetics, including synthetic emeralds and diamonds
- Filled diamonds
- Diffused blue sapphires and red rubies
- HPHT-treated diamonds
- ... and much more!
- Determine how to spot the newest composite imitations.
- Learn how to identify recently discovered gems such as Mandarin garnet, red emerald, and North Carolinas chromium-rich emeralds.
- Discover new treatments such as surface coatings to create fancy color diamonds and improve or change the color of many gemstones.
- Know when to seek help from a professional gemologist or lab.
- Become more professional in your business or hobby.
on
Contents
List of Tables ? xi
List of Color Plates ? xii
Preface to the Fourth Edition ? xiii
Acknowledgments ? xvii
Introduction by Anna M. Miller ? xix
PART 1
Before Beginning
1. Before Beginning ? 3
PART 2
Getting Ready
2. Setting Up the Lab ? 11
3. Proper Lighting for Gem Identification ? 35
PART 3
The Essential Instruments-What They Are and How to Use Them
4. The Loupe and Dark-Field Loupe ? 47
5. The Chelsea Filter and Synthetic Emerald Filter ? 73
6. The Dichroscope ? 89
7. The Ultraviolet Lamp ? 107
8. The Refractometer ? 127
9. The Microscope ? 145
PART 4
Optional Instruments-When and How to Use Them
10. The Spectroscope ? 171
11. The Polariscope ? 185
12. The Diamond-Type Spotter and Blue Diamond Tester-
Essential Tools for Diamond Buyers ? 191
13. The Immersion Cell ? 207
ix
14. The Electronic Diamond Tester ? 219
15. The Carbide Scriber-An Essential Tool
for Diamond Buyers ? 227
16. The "Synthetic Diamond Detectors" ? 233
PART 5
Antique and Estate Jewelry
17. Antique and Estate Jewelry-
The True Test of Gem Identification Skill ? 241
PART 6
Appendices
Gemstone Property Tables ? 283
Glossary ? 293
Recommended Reading ? 301
Where to Go for Additional Gemological Training ? 307
International List of Gem Testing Laboratories
and Gemologists ? 319
International List of Associations ? 337
Selected List of Gem Identification Equipment Suppliers
in the United States and Canada ? 344
INDEX ? 347
ISBN: 9780943763897
ISBN-10: 0943763894
Published: 17th July 2012
Format: ePUB
Language: English
Number of Pages: 384
Audience: General Adult
Publisher: GemStone Press
Edition Number: 4
























