GEMSTONES gem testing diamond grading synthetic stones

ISBN 041227390X

Size = 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" Tall

Gemstones is the first attempt in English to bring together the geological, mineralogical and gemmological developments that have taken place during the last 30 years. Though there have been many gemstone books published in that time, most have been concerned, understandably and rightly, with the science of gem testing and have covered that area very well.

Details of the geological occurrence of many of the classic gemstones, and of nearly all those which have only recently been discovered, have been less adequately dealt with. Coverage has been restricted to a number of papers in a wide variety of geological and mineralogical journals. Gemstones hopes to get the balance right.

In the preparation of the book all the journals and monographs in the field have been consulted so that the book should stand for some years as the authority to which gemmologists and others turn in the first instance. Ease of reference and depth of coverage make Gemstones both a reference book and a bench book.

CONTENTS:

Colour plates appear between pages 146-147 & 178-179
Glossary

1. Formation & occurrence of gemstones
Formation of inclusions
Inclusions in the major gemstones
Photographing inclusions

2. The nature of gemstones
Valency
Bonding
The building blocks of crystals
Polymorphism & isomorphism
The classification of minerals
Crystal structure
Properties of crystals
Gem crystals

3. Gem testing
Hardness
Gemstones & light
Specific gravity

4. Recent developments in gem testing
Thermal conductivity
Measurement of refractive index
Measurement of reflectivity
Surface assessment
X-ray topography
The electron microscope
The electron microprobe
Electron paramagnetic resonance
Energy dispersive X-ray spectrophotometry
UV spectrophotometry

5. Colour
The physics of colour
The chemistry of colour
Colour filters
The spectroscope
Alteration of colour

6. Fashioning
Fashioning of diamond
Other stones

7. Gemstones in commerce
Diamond grading
Buying gemstones

8. Descriptive section: inorganic materials

9. Descriptive section: organic materials

10. Synthetic and imitation stones
Crystal growth from solution
Growth by flame-fusion
Hydrothermal growth
Crystal pulling
Flux-melt growth
Manufacture of important stones
Composites
Glass
Metals
Ceramics
Plastics

Appendix A Identification tables
Specific gravity
Refractive index
Birefringence
Dispersion
Hardness
Cleavage
Less common and trade names

Appendix B Useful sources of information
Appendix C Birthstones

BIbliography
Index

372 pages with photos. Hard cover with UNCLIPPED dust jacket. Ex-Library.

Weight = 950 g

BOOK / DUST JACKET CONDITION = VERY GOOD / VERY GOOD

NEW: This book has been designated by the seller as brand new.

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GOOD: Average used book with all pages present. Possible loose bindings, highlighting, cocked spine or torn dust jackets.

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POOR: All text is legible but may be soiled and have binding defects. Reading copies and binding copies fall into this category.