Gemstones of the World

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. The book also fully covers the optical features of gems - light and colour, luminescence, refraction and inclusions - and key information about the densities and chemical elements of each stone, with fascinating details on different cuts, polishing, gems, hardness, cleavage, classification, trade names, rarity and more.

There are also many charts and diagrams as well as magnificent colour photographs of the stones with data about them on the facing page. If you want only one book on gemstones in your library, this would be the one!

About the Author

Walter Schumann is a leading expert and researcher on gemstones. In addition to the perennially successful Gemstones of the World, first published in 1976, he has authored Collins Guide to Rocks, Minerals, and Gemstones and Handbook of Rocks, Minerals, and Gemstones, among other authoritative guides. He lives in Germany.