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Below is a selection of books that I have pulled
together that represents
the best available literature
across the entire spectrum of minerals, gems, and lapidary.
In fact I personally own most of the books listed below
Of course many will disagree and propose their own selections, please do!
Send me an e-mail here with your favorite book!
I love to read and I particularly love to read about gems and minerals, although ocassionally I must admit to just looking at the pictures!
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DROOL BOOKS
The Collections in various museums shown in magnificent detail.
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This is a fantastic book showing many incredible gem crystals and finished gemstones that boggle the mind and the imagination.
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If you have ever been to the Smithsonian then you know just how incredible the photos in this book are. Also includes historical information about the collection and the museum.
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This astounding book shows off the many important gemstones and minerals found in North America.
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EDUTAINMENT
The Fred Ward Gem Book Series features many photos and a short history of the gem in focus.
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INDEPTH EDUTAINMENT
Scholarly and fascinating readings on gems and minerals
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If you want to learn the history of diamonds through mining, cutting and as jewels, then you will appreciate the detail and scope that this book gives you. Many splendid photos of diamonds in the rough and cut are also included.
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MicroWorld of Diamonds
For those of us who can't get enough! This scholarly and exhaustive compendium of diamonds and their formation is a thrilling view into the world of mineralogy and natural diamond genesis.
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This book brilliantly details the struggles endured by scientists as they learned the arduous skills and stupendous environments required to create diamonds.
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This is the definitive reference for ruby and sapphire knowledge as a mineral and as a gem.
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This engrossing book details the fascinating gem industry in Mogok
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A comprehensive and enduring reference guide for the mineral and the gem family of Beryl.
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GEM & MINERAL IDENTIFICATION
How to identify gems and minerals using simple tools and how to photograph them.
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This an excellent detailed rock and mineral guide to help you learn and identify many different species of minerals.
The high quality pictorial representation of each mineral class is invaluable for classification. A must have for any mineral collector.
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This is an awesome and copious guide to gems and their optical and mineralogical properties. A must have reference for any gem collector or cutter.
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This is a great reference guide for minerals and gemstones, in the Eyewitness Book Series, that will overwhelm you with pictures and stories. The most entertaining of the gem and mineral reference book available.
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If you want to identify gems and minerals then this book is the best all around reference. Guiding you through the different tools available and instructions on each one, you will quickly gain a solid understanding of how to identify gems and minreals.
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A complete and thorough guide to accurately using a spectroscope in identifying gems and minerals.
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Jeff Scovil is a renown photographer of gems and mineral specimens. Many of his world famous photographs are in the books available on this page. Don't miss his excellent introduction to taking your own pictures of gems and minerals.
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FACETING
Fundemental books on how to facet gemstones
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This is the book to read if you are interested in faceting. An excellent tutorial of the fine art of faceting gemstones and preparing for your first gemstone. Also serves as an excellent reference once you have begun faceting.
This book convinced me to dive into faceting and I haven't looked back! |
If you are trying to work through the peculiarities of a particular material this exhaustive reference will guide you as to the properties of lapidary matierals and how to work with them for the best possible results.
I have referenced this book many times to resolve questions about cutting and polishing difficult lapidarymaterials
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When you are looking for master cutting results and you want a reference to follow, this book will lead the way.
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