I’m just beginning to use stones (semi-precious cabs) in my jewelry
and I don’t really know much about them. Could someone recommend a
good book on identifying and learning the composition and qualities of stones.
Phil and Ann, I would recommend “Description of Gem Materials” third
edition by Glenn & Martha Vargas. It is one of my main reference
books written by two of the most knowledgeable gem cutters I know.
Gerry Galarneau
Hello, My favorite book for quick stone reference is “Gemstones of the World” by Walter Schumann. There are many field guides and other
gem/mineral books available at larger book stores and rock shops.
“Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Rocks & Minerals” is another good
one, but if you only want to get one book, I’d go with “Gemstones of the World”. If you’re interested in the metaphysical aspects of some
of the more unusual stones I’d go with “Love Is in the Earth: A Kaleidoscope of Crystals” by A. Melody. These are all available at
Amazon.com and often at bookstores. Here’s my list of favorites with
links: Amy O'Connell Books
Enjoy!
Amy O’Connell
Amy O’Connell Jewelry
Dear Phil and Ann, You are going to get buried with replies on this
subject, but I would like to share a little discovery that I just
made on a visit to our local used book store. I stumbled onto
"Gemstones" by Cally Hall. Cally is the gemology curator at the
British Museum of Natural History. The Brits have been putting out
some of the best elementary books I know of on earth science and
gemology and this book has no peer ! It has over eight hundred color
illustrations within its 158 pages ! Schuman’s “Gems of The World” is
also good, but I place Cally’s book over it because of the very
excellent graphics, superior color rendition and highly readable
format.
“Gemstones” ,Cally Hall, first American Edition, 1994, Eyewitness
Series, DK Publishing, New York, N.Y. $19.95 ( could be more now )
Ron at Mills Gem, Los Osos, CA
Hi, Here are 2 books which I recommend
The McDonald Encyclopaedia of Rocks & Minerals - has over 350 Rocks
and minerals illustrated in Color , with details of Appearance ,
Formation and uses.
gemstones by Cally Hall -Has visual guide to more than 130 Gemstone
Varieties. very good book
Hope this helps
Ahmed shareek