Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann. Special ACN.TV (American Collectibles Network) Edition.
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DESCRIPTION: Hardcover with printed/laminated covers. Publisher: Sterling (2000). Pages: 311. Size: 7¾ x 5¼ x 1 inches; 1½ pounds. “Gemstones of the World” is truly the single volume that every hobbyist, jeweler, jewelry maker, and rockhound needs: it’s the cornerstone of the field. And this updated edition contains a host of new findings on “Gemstones for Collectors,” additional gems in the “Table of Constants,” and the “double fraction” figures that experts have long wanted—a very special new feature.
All the gemstones are treated in their many variations: more than 1,500 full-color photos showcase each precious and semiprecious stone in both its rough, natural, and its polished and cut renditions. Each entry offers complete information on the gemstone’s formation, structure, physical properties, and characteristics, along with the best methods of working, cutting, and polishing it. There are even full treatments of lesser-known gems, from andalusite to vesuvian, and a special section is devoted to rocks as precious stones, including alabaster, onyx, obsidian, and fossils. Organic gem materials are also covered, such as coral, ivory, amber, and pearl. Charts and tables help collectors identify unknown gemstones and check for genuineness.
This is the ACN.TV "Special Edition" published in 1999. For those who might not know, ACN.TV was the forerunner or predecessor of JTV.com, Jewelry Television Network.
CONDITION: LIKE NEW. New (albeit mildly shopworn) hardcover w/dustjacket. Sterling Publishing/ACN Edition (1999) 280 pages. Unblemished except for very faint edge and corner shelfwear to dustjacket and covers, and a very mild bump to the lower open corner of the front printed/laminated covers. Pages are pristine; clean, crisp, unmarked, unmutilated, tightly bound, and "unread", though of course it's always possible that a few bookstore browsers may have flipped through the book while it was on the bookseller's shelf - which is always a possibility with any book which traveled through normal retail distribution channels which would include traditional shelved ("brick and mortar") book stores. Our observation is that though the book is "unread" in the sense that clearly no-one ever actually went through the book page by page. it's likely the book was flipped through once or twice while on the bookseller's shelf. There's no real indications of reading wear, it's just that the book feels as if it were flipped through a few times. Shelfwear is principally in the form of faint "crinkling" to the four open corners ("tips") of the dustjacked (top and bottom, front and back open corners). Beneath the dustjacket the book possesses plastic laminated, printed covers of the same design as the dustjackt. Being plastic laminated, even a slight bump against a bookshelf the result of careless or sloppy shelving will result in tiny wrinkles to a cover corner. If the book is held up to the light and scrutinized intently (yeah, we're nitpicking), it becomes evident that this is the case with this book. If you remove the dustjacket and scrutinize the front cover closely, you can see that the bottom open corner of the front cover is very slightly bumped. The bump is so light that it is NOT "echoed" in the pages following (the page corners are not likewise bumped). Condition is entirely consistent with a "new" (albeit "shopworn) book from a traditional brick-and-mortar open-shelf book store (such as Barnes & Noble, Borders, or B. Dalton, for example) wherein patrons are permitted to browse open stock, and so otherwise "new" books often show a little handling/shelf/browsing wear. Satisfaction unconditionally guaranteed. In stock, ready to ship. No disappointments, no excuses. PROMPT SHIPPING! HEAVILY PADDED, DAMAGE-FREE PACKAGING! Meticulous and accurate descriptions! Selling rare and out-of-print ancient history books on-line since 1997. We accept returns for any reason within 30 days! #8363k. #8363.6a.
PLEASE SEE DESCRIPTIONS AND IMAGES BELOW FOR DETAILED REVIEWS AND FOR PAGES OF PICTURES FROM INSIDE OF BOOK.
PLEASE SEE PUBLISHER, PROFESSIONAL, AND READER REVIEWS BELOW.
PUBLISHER REVIEWS:
REVIEW: Gemstones of the World is truly the single volume that every hobbyist, jeweler, jewelry maker, and rockhound needs: its the cornerstone of the field. And this updated edition contains a host of new findings on Gemstones for Collectors, additional gems in the Table of Constants, and the double fraction figures that experts have long wanted – a very special new feature.
REVIEW: "Gemstones of the World" is truly the single volume that every hobbyist, jeweler, jewelry maker and rockhound needs: it's the cornerstone of the field. And this updated edition contains a host of new findings on "Gemstones for Collectors," additional gems in the "Table of Constants" and the "double fraction" figures that experts have long wanted - a very special new feature. Over 1,500 full-color photographs showcase stones in their rough, natural, and polished & cut renditions. Charts and tables help collectors identify unknown gemstones and check for genuineness
REVIEW: This is the standard reference for over twenty years, now completely revised and updated with many new illustrations. "Gemstones of the World" is the most comprehensive and informative color manual of the world's gemstones and includes more than 1,400 examples. Opposite each illustration the text provides an exact description of the particular stone, including details of the properties and chemical composition which makes the stone unique. Information on location of major deposits, alternative names, stones most easily identified incorrectly, and diagrams of their crystal habits are also given. The tables on gemstones' properties and constants provide a basic system of elimination for all unidentified stones. There are also eleven tables listing commercial and mineral names, refractive indices, dispersion, pleochroism, fluorescence, absorption spectra and specific gravities of gems. From the historical to the scientific, this extraordinary reference source is filled with fascinating facts about gemstones, both precious and semi-precious. It's also a worldwide scientific survey, with stunning color photographs of each gem and its varieties.
REVIEW: More than 1,500 full-color illustrations of all types of gemstones and hundreds of semi-precious stones accompany guidelines for identification and classification and articles on mining, cutting, and the properties and characteristics of each, in this newly updated edition.
PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS:
REVIEW: This definitive guide takes the mystery out of appreciating, buying and selling gemstones. It covers everything from the romance and history of gemstones to their geographic locations; scientific, physical and color properties; and the way they are formed, structured and mined. The book also fully covers the optical features of gems--light and color, 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 color 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!
REVIEW: First published in English in 1976, Walter Schumann’s Gemstones of the World has served as a handy reference guide to gemologists of any level. The text begins with a brief mineralogical and gemological study, focusing on such topics as basic crystallography and crystal systems, hardness, refractive index, and other pertinent features of gem materials. Schumann largely focuses on minerals but does give proper descriptions of organic and synthetic materials as well. These first few sections serve as an excellent introduction to, or refresher on, many of the basic concepts that help make identification easier. The text is easily comprehensible to those at least somewhat familiar with the science of gemology, and it does a reasonably good job explaining the concepts for a novice. For someone completely new to the science, the jargon may be difficult, although Schumann attempts to bypass this issue by providing a brief list at the beginning of the book of terminology that may be unfamiliar.
Schumann devotes the most space, logically, to the most well-known and economically significant gemstones, such as diamond, sapphire, ruby, and emerald. Lesser-known and rare gems are not neglected, however, and he has compiled a fairly exhaustive list of gemstones, complete with color, hardness, density, refractive index, crystal system, and chemical composition. "Gemstones of the World" is a conveniently sized and organized reference book for both the casual and serious gemologist. Because it is fairly compact, it would be easy to take on field trips for use as a handy guide. The comprehensive listing of gem materials that includes many of the most important identifying features makes it useful for identifying both common and unusual gemstones. For a first-time buyer in particular, it would be a wise investment.
REVIEW: As with the companion book, "Minerals of the World", this book is superb. It is fully illustrated with splendid photographs of the various types of mineral.0 The front section of the book has a fairly comprehensive and explicit treatise on the technical and scientific aspects to minerals . Thus the book can be a companion to the professional, or to the collector, or to the amateur gemstone enthusiast. The quality of presentation is superb and I highly recommend this book . The price of the publication is misleadingly low.
REVIEW: A great asset to any jeweler or layman who works with gems. This is an excellent reference book. ARBA. One of the 100 outstanding Sci-Tech books of the Year. Invaluable to rock hounds of all ages. Beautiful illustrations, excellent quality. 143 photographs and 1,423 specimens in color plus 166 line drawings, bibliography and index.
REVIEW: I have been a gemologist for 20 years. I run an Independent Lab in Manhasset NY. I have used this book for years as an accurate reference guide. Put it on your book shelf if you are into the mineralogy world. [Deborah Villepigue GG, RMV, NAJA, AGA].
REVIEW: Every bead worker should have this book. It offers 1,500 full-color photos of precious and semiprecious stones, and gem cutting and mining processes; also provides chemical origin, nomenclature, and property information. [Beadwork Magazine].
REVIEW: I perform jewelry appraisals and gem identifications and this book has helped me more than any other. It is a MUST for buying and selling (does not list prices). I have worn mine out and have just ordered a new one. I have had it for approximately ten or more years. You will be fascinated even if you are not buying or selling. Peruse it and enjoy!!!
REVIEW: The newly expanded, revised third edition of a classic gemstone reference is a top pick for jewelry makers, rockhounds, and any fascinated by gems. It offers up new insights on collectibility, provides new 'double fraction' figures that experts have wanted, and provides over a thousand color photos profiling each precious and semiprecious stone in its rough, natural and polished versions. Chapters cover geology and working with gemstones alike, making it an excellent all-around reference and a top pick for both geology and crafts libraries.
REVIEW: More than 1,400 specimens. Discover what gems are, how they are classified and named, their physical properties, and how they are cut and polished. "Invaluable to rockhounds of all ages. [Science Teacher].
REVIEW: "One of the 100 outstanding Science-Technology books of the year. [Library Journal].
REVIEW: Anyone interested in minerals and gems will want a copy of this beautifully-illustrated book. [Science Books & Films].
REVIEW: The excellent index takes you right to any stone. [Bead & Button].
REVIEW: THE reference book on everything to do with gemstones. Handy size, packed full of photos and locations of precious Gems, stones and other related minerals. Everything about gemstones and the normal precious stones but also includes fossilized wood, amber, coral, Mother-of-Pearl, Operculum, Jet and Ivory.
REVIEW: Authoritative reference work, with color photographs of more than 1400 specimens, many shown before and after cutting. Special sections on fabricated and synthetic gems, recognizing gems by color, birthstones and organic gems such as coral and pearl. Includes technical data on gemstone properties, formation and structure of gems and cutting.
READER REVIEWS:
REVIEW: It’s unusual to find a gemstone reference that can be used by scientists, jewelers, collectors, and laypeople, but such is this book, complete with color photos of over 2500 gemstones, both finished and in natural state. The volume is heavy for its size because it’s published on high quality glossy paper. As the author warns us, the text is small and in some cases abbreviated and condensed. This is to cram the maximum amount of information into a guidebook that’s quite portable. One interesting note about the photos is that often average specimens, rather than be-all, end-all quality gems are depicted. No space is wasted; even the inside covers show different gemstone cuts and a world map of gemstones respectively. Yet because of clever use of headers, shaded sections, illustrations, and white space, the text never seems cramped.
The book begins with descriptions of gemstone identification properties. Moh’s scale of hardness, basic mineral chemistry, specific gravity, cleavage and fracture, refraction and absorption, pleochroism, and fluorescence are described in sections followed by charts of these properties for selected gemstones. Later, these concepts are referenced and quantified in specific descriptions for each gemstone. Short, useful sections on mining, polishing, and faceting follow.
The listings of common gemstones follow in logical order, starting at the top of the Moh’s scale with diamond and working down to sodalite and malachite. Physical and chemical properties of each gem or gem group is identified in a header on the top of the left page, followed by notes of interest and specific varieties. On the right page are the photos of the gems described on the left. It is easy to see which gemstones are most closely related chemically and it is particularly interesting to see the large number and variety of colors and forms that quartz (silicon dioxide) exhibits in different gemstones. The volume is well-referenced, in that if another gem or mineral is referenced the author includes a page number for ease of comparison. This formatting continues throughout the next section, the lesser-known gemstones which are becoming more popular, such as fluorite, apatite, and chrysocolla.
The section called Gemstones for Collectors contains quite a few pages of gemstones that are either too soft, too brittle, endangered, or too rare to be of interest to anyone other than collectors. This section is not very well edited and appears to be a listing of such stones in no particular order. I would like to know, for example, which stones are too soft or brittle, and which are rare or endangered. Chemical information is not always consistent either. Still, it is rather fascinating to view the radioactive gems such as Ekanite, and to read about how Sulfur is so sensitive to heat that it bursts when warmed in one’s hand (how did they facet it for the photo without generating heat?).
These arcane stones are followed by sections called “Rock as Gemstones” (obsidian, moldavite, fossils, etc.) and “Organic Gemstones” (coral, jet, ivory, etc.). Quite a large section on cultured pearls is included. Next is a section about the art and craft of imitation and synthetic gemstones, followed by a section on heating, irradiating, coloring, and otherwise enhancing gemstones—including what must be disclosed to the buyer, legally speaking. Next is a section of “new on the market” gemstones such as sugilite, unakite, and petrified wood; an odd assortment of new and not-so-new offerings.
The book concludes with charts of traditional astrological stones, the more recent birthstone-by-month designations, and some remarks on medicinal uses of stones (clearly not recommended by the author, but added for the curious). The book ends with a chart of gemstone listings by color.
Anyone who is interested in gemstones, for whatever reason, will enjoy this book. Whether the reader wants to look at the chemistry behind the stones, find out where various gemstones come from, learn about diamonds, rubies, emeralds, jaspers, or other specific stones, or simply look at pretty photographs, this is the book to use.
REVIEW: I love gems. I have a Graduate Gemologist degree (in addition to a physics degree). I do some high-end faceting and purchase gems and rough for faceting, jewelry making and simply for fun. My lab capability is better than that of most jewelry stores. Schumann's “Gemstones of the World” has been a mainstay of my reference library. This has been a valuable and well-organized reference book complementing other materials for gemstone identification. It often has more information than other texts about the stones themselves. It has a lot of good information about the various properties of gems, a small amount on mining and a good overview of production methods. The entries for common gemstones are quite complete, but it also covers a very wide range of less common stones and materials that are more recently commercialized. This work should be in the library of any gemologist. It's also simply a good reading book, with interesting information throughout the entire work.
REVIEW: I got this book for my fiancé who is an avid gem collector and aspires to become a gemologist. He absolutely loved the book, read it in one night! The pictures are out of this world, it almost looks like you're looking at real gems. Very informational! I would suggest that anyone interested in gems get this book. You start learning once you open the front cover.
REVIEW: I bought this book many years ago and have used it so often it is untrue. The lay out is easy to understand and the stones are grouped logically, with everything from crystal formation to MOH hardness to chemical formula. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in gemology, as it contains the detailed information for professionals, as well as plenty of information for the enthusiastic amateur. In short it's a comprehensive reference book that I keep turning to again and again, and though I have other gem books, this one is all you need. If you're going to buy a gem reference book, buy this one.
REVIEW: This is probably the best gemstone reference book that I've seen. If you are someone interested in gems, looking to buy gems online, or even a jeweler you'll find this book indispensable. The book teaches you the basic properties of gemstones, hardness, cleavage/fracture, color, refraction, dispersion, etc. It gives you an overview of cutting and polishing gemstones with a chart of the different types of cuts available.
But the best part of the book is the description of gemstones. This book covers virtually all known gemstones! Not just the big 4(diamond, emerald, ruby, sapphire) but over 100 different gems, many that you've probably never even heard of! The gems are broken down into groups, the beryl group, corundum group, etc. Each group then gives the different gems from that group and gives the physical characteristics of that gem. It lists the different sources and colors of each gem and tells you which gems you might confuse the stone with.
And finally each gemstone comes with a full page picture of different cuts, colors and rough of that gem. All in all this is a MUST HAVE BOOK for anyone interested in gems.
REVIEW: This book is a wonderful reference for anyone that has in interest in gemstones or geology. The book has three main parts. The first is an introduction into the terminology that is used in the gemology industry. I found this section to be very inclusive and easy to understand. This section covers everything from the types of crystal structures to cutting techniques and density. This is a great section for those that are new in the world of gemology and would like a more in depth explanation of gemstones.
The next major section deals with well known gemstones. Every stone you can think of from diamond to emerald is covered in this section. The section is reserved for stones that most everyone has heard of and are readily available at any store. This section is laid out in a field guide type format as opposed to an in depth paragraph discussion. Each stone has a description of its characteristics and colored photos of multiple examples. The photos are beautifully done with several different examples of each stone shown.
The final section is reserved for more uncommon gemstones. This section will be sure to surprise you. For example petrified wood is shown as a more uncommon gemstone. Even the most experienced gemologist will learn something new in this section. The pictures and layout of this section are the same as in the previous section. I highly recommend this book to people with an interest in geology or gemology. This book is not a book that is best read cover to cover. It is better used as a reference because of its layout and abundance of information. No matter what you use it for you will be fascinated with the information and captivated by the photography. A wonderful book that will keep you entertained for hours.
REVIEW: Even as a jeweler I can't remember everything, so when I go to gem shows to buy my stones this book is my pocket bible which keeps me from getting cheated! Even if you aren't a jewelry professional, if you are buying stones online, at gem shows, or from your local jeweler, you can learn more about the stones you want, and learn more about the stones that are available (don't you get tired of always seeing ruby-sapphire-emerald?). I advise all my clients who are serious stone shoppers to buy this book, to become familiar with stones and minerals in general, and to start asking questions about the durability, hardness and practicality of the stones they buy for their custom jewelry. It has beautiful photos too!
REVIEW: This is THE gemstone resource book that everyone needs...I passed my older version on to a friend before noticing that the publish date for this one had been extended and I have never been so lost! This book's small format lends itself to tucking in a briefcase, purse, backpack, whatever...it is indispensable at Gem or Jewelry Shows! I have yet to look up a stone that is too obscure to be included and the revised version has even more in depth listings of Rare/Collector stones. The photos are a true representation and usually include rough, cab and facet examples. Along with the basics: Structure, Refractive Index, Color, etc...Schumann includes a brief history and lore of the gem as well as locations of current mines. This is as accurate a resource as you will find for an industry that is literally changing as I write this.
REVIEW: I'd waited years for a recent edition of this book, even used, at a reasonable price. Now it's finally affordable as a new hardback. I was kinda hoping for a book that would let me compare my gemstones to pictures and identify them. This book helped me understand why that kind of book is NOT possible. The best part, for people like me, is the way the many testing techniques and tools are explained, logically and in layman's terms. The book helped me see that learning to use techniques and tools to identify gemstones on my own is possible, and it will undoubtedly help me figure out which tools to invest in first.
REVIEW: This book should be in everyone's library. There is something here for everyone--from kids who collect rocks (because that's what kids do), to the serious gemstone collector. In fact, any nature lover would thoroughly enjoy this book for its stunning color photos. From Diamonds to Pearls and everything in between, Schumann's revised and updated reference provides a wealth of information for every level of interest.
REVIEW: A gemologist friend of mine introduced me to this book, and I had to have one. It is the best Gemstone reference book, especially at its price. It includes color pictures and shows the gem in both the rough and finished state, and includes information on synthetic gemstones. Get this book for a REAL education on Gemstones.
REVIEW: Upon viewing the pages contained within this hardback, I immediately smiled. A great purchase. The information given on each family of gemstones was incredible. Not only was in depth information given on the standard stones (diamonds, rubies, emeralds, opal, garnet and etc.), but also rarely seen varieties were also shown, giving the "collector" a unique perspective. Before reading this publication, I never knew there were green, yellow, orange or colorless garnets, I never heard of "heliodor" or Uvarovite, Andradite garnets, Dravite Tourmaline, etc and etc. What a wealth of information. Gemology, folklore, scientific and geographic information on each and every variety listed within!!! WOW. What an exhaustive reference! GOOD SHOW!
REVIEW: For decades I wore only white diamonds (nothing colored of any kind) simply because they went with everything and to me they were the easiest gems for the layperson buyer to become 'intelligent' about. Having recently found an excellent jeweler who's also a goldsmith and graduate gemologist, I'm now venturing into the world of colored gems, including colored diamonds. Very confusing! This book has helped enormously, though. For each gem there's all the usual basic info such as Moh’s scale hardness, along with other stuff that'll make your jeweler sit up and take proper notice of ya! Chemical composition, refractive index, density, fluorescence, double refraction and pleiochroism (if any), and so on and so forth. Not to worry, those are all explained in separate sections. There's also information on all the colors each particular stone comes in, plus useful pictures, a section for each stone on which others look similar enough to be confused with it, a sections on various treatments (usually for color enhancement) and on created and artificial stones, and much, much more. Simply packed with useful, well-organized information, very well laid out and easy on the eyes despite being fairly small for a hardbound book.
REVIEW: I bought the 2001 edition several years ago and found it indispensable at the jewelry store where I worked. Now that I'm getting into the nitty-gritty of the Graduate Gemologist program at the GIA, I'm quite pleased to find an updated version available. I expect I'll be taking this to school with me to replace several large, ungainly lab manuals that haunt my desk. This book makes a great cornerstone for any gem library. I own many gem guides and encyclopedias twice the size and weight of this while containing considerably less information. This one has the most complete collection of information and pictures I've seen anywhere at an astonishingly diminutive size. If you plan to buy only one gem book in your lifetime, I highly recommend this one.
REVIEW: This is one of the best documents on gemstones available today. It covers virtually every major gemstone as well as a great number of the "new" gemstones just coming into popularity. The descriptions and photographs are excellent. The locals where found and the appearance and availability of the rough material make this a genuine gem of its own. Anyone interested in lapidary, jewelry, or gemstones in general will find this book to be an outstanding value. This is enhanced by its relatively low price.
REVIEW: I ordered this book for a gift to give to my wife’s co-worker who is into stones. I have went through three copies over the years from 1997 using it to show my customers what the stones they buy from me should look like. I have been making stones into jewelry for over 43 years and this book is the best one I have come across. What this gemstone book has that no other like it has is its fine color plates of each stone. This makes it a great way to show the public what they are buying such as Lapis Lazuli with its iron pyrite that is found in real Lapis Lazuli and with each color listed and with a color plate to use to show and compare. This book should be owned by anyone who sells stones and anyone who buys stones as it is used worldwide as one of the top trade books of its types.
REVIEW: I have been searching for a book to help me navigate through the maze of common names for different kinds of stones used to make beads. This book has photos of the stones in their natural state, as well as their polished state. It has lists of names attributed to certain stones. As a beader, I have found it very helpful in identifying stone beads and understanding what the different stones are.
REVIEW: If you’ve always wanted to learn more about gems--including more obscure ones--then this is the book to buy. The photos are fantastic, the information very detailed, but easy to understand, and very self-explanatory. All-in-all, definitely a book worth reading. I can't stress enough that this is an excellent informational book. It's compact--can fit in a woman's purse!--and even includes details on how to determine if various gems are real or fake. Excellent source of information, easy to use for referral, even for the newest of interests in basic gems.
REVIEW: My travels around Asia sparked my interest in buying gems, jade and pearls. After a few false starts, I knew I needed a resource I could carry with me and consult on the spot. Not only do I feel more confident in my purchases, I know see items that are of value that I passed by because I didn't understand what they were. The book covers a great deal of information despite its small format. At first I wasn't interested in the beginning chapters. I thought they were for jewelers or more serious collectors. Now I'm reading them to gain additional insight into this world. The photos are fabulous. Some of the stones in their original forms are more beautiful than the jewelry versions.
REVIEW: As a professor of gemology, I can assure you that this book is excellent for everyone. Perfect combination of words and pictures. The things I found to be useful are the descriptions for each gemstone and they have a list of what each gemstone may possibly be confused with. They also give you alternative names for gemstones and the history of the name with its meaning. If you are interested in gemstones this is the book for you.
REVIEW: This book on precious stones is brilliant. I liked the quality and structure of the book. It's not a cheap paperback. Color photos and an abundant supply of them. Scientific data and historical background presented. It's ideal for those of us ,who are Reiki practitioners .This gem book is not Wicca related, yet it is quite facilitative for Wiccans who use the healing stones and perform healing exercises. The depth of gemstone information is a farraginous mixture from almagest times until today.
REVIEW: This small book has very nice pictures and good information about each stone, including where it is found, the relative hardness, availability, and value. I enjoy wearing jewelry, but am not in the jewelry business. This book was recommended by a terrific jewelry artist and it is well worth the price I paid.
REVIEW: Best book I've bought on gems. Tons of great color pictures of rough and faceted stones. This should be the first book you buy on gems (I have about 6 of the top gem books and this one bests them all).
REVIEW: I recommend this book for any gemologist in training. Contains most of the relevant information needed for quick reference.
REVIEW: This is also a great book for identification of most and close to all precious gemstones. This is the first book you should purchase as beginners. This book goes into explicit details of each gemstones and also has a colored picture for each. This is an excellent book for reference. It is written in very easy English.
REVIEW: This is a fantastic book. I learned a great deal reading this resource. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about gemstone origins, types of cut, crystal formation, or if you just want to look at the pretty pictures of all of the most beautiful stones in the world yet discovered.
REVIEW: This clearly the best gemstone book ever. It features every gemstone imaginable with some I've never heard of. It not only gives a picture of the rough and faceted cut in full color photos but also gives the chemical breakdown, hardness and location found. Truly worth the money!
REVIEW: If you want to learn about gemstones, this is a wonderful book to have. It's been like a gemstone "bible" to me. Vibrant colorful photos, very informative on everything from stone hardness to where it can be found in the world. Cannot say enough on how terrific and helpful it has been!!! A must have for the "gem enthusiast"!!!
REVIEW: This is a great gem book for the amateur rock hound/lapidary. A great reference for the more experienced. Lots of information on physical characteristics, history, mining, and geographic distribution of stones. The best part is the pictures, every stone is in color in both the raw and processed states. I highly recommend.
REVIEW: I dabble in gemstones - buying and selling from Brazil, Colombia and other countries. Schumann's book is a bible - an essential reference with a very accessible layout, excellent and concise information. Rarely do I need to seek other sources when researching stones.
REVIEW: I have learned a lot from this book and find it very beneficial as someone who is new to gemstones. It has great pictures, hardness scales and a lot of valuable information. I would recommend it.
REVIEW: This book helped me pass the GIA Graduate Gemologist Exam. It is a very nice supplemental book to the course materials. Very portable as well. Highly recommended!
REVIEW: I really like this book and have placed it in my mobile library. I am a rock hound and spend most of the summer months in the field collecting different types of rocks and fossils. good reference book.
REVIEW: Excellent resource book. Not only lists gemstones, but histories, tools (how to use them), and gemstone measurements of all kinds. If you get only one reference guide, this is it.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:
GEMSTONES IN ANCIENT HISTORY: Throughout history, gemstones were believed capable of curing illness to providing protection. Found in Egypt dated 1500 B. C., the "Papyrus Ebers" offered one of most complete therapeutic manuscripts containing prescriptions using gemstones and minerals. In the eastern civilizations of China, India, and Tibet, gemstones were not only valued for their medicinal and protective properties, but also for educational and spiritual enhancement. Hereinbelow are a few examples of the uses for and beliefs concerning specific gemstone varieties in the ancient world.
Quartz: Quartz (“rock crystal") caught the eye of various ancient cultures with its brilliant transparency and gorgeous tones. To the ancient Greeks it was "krystallos", from which the name "crystal" is derived. To the ancient Slavic cultures it was, "kwardy", from which eventually the name “quartz” was derived. The clearest form of quartz is rock crystal, used since ancient times to manufacture “crystal balls”. Colorless quartz crystals have always been popular in jewelry since even ancient pre-recorded history due to mystical legends concerning the "power" of quartz crystals. In the ancient world quartz was used as an ornamental stone, to fashion gemstones for jewelry, and as well for making tools and weapons. Quartz was also ground by ancient cultures to produce primitive forms of glass and ceramics. Faience jewelry and amulets were mass produced in ancient Egypt fashioned from ground quartz and various minerals added to produce color (such as copper ore for blue-green; iron ore for red and orange, etc.). Similar ceramic jewelry and amulets were also produced by the ancient Sumerian and Babylonian cultures.
According to one ancient legend, the sun and universe were contained within an enormous crystal. Quartz was also long thought by ancients to be petrified ice. Five thousand years ago the Sumerians cut and engraved various quartz stones as cylinder seals and used them later as ring seals. As the Sumerians invented writing, quartz is probably one of the first gem stone materials to be written on, and also to be used as a stamp to make a written impression in clay. Ancient Persians believed that quartz amulets placed on a baby ensured the infant’s proper nutrition. There are many examples in various museums throughout the world of carved quartz stones that were popular in Greece and Rome as intaglios for signet rings. One particularly popular style showed the upper half of the body of a man with a hand upraised, pronouncing judgment. These pieces are said to have been especially effective as a talisman during a lawsuit. The ancient Celts used rock crystal amulets to give the water of healing wells a magical potency. Running brooks produced healing water as well. Quartz “star stones” were collected from a running brook, placed in boiling water from the same brook, and then the water, imbued with the curative power of the crystals, was then given to the patient. It was also believed that quartz crystals could cure infertility. Quartz crystal has also been used in religious and shamanistic ceremonies for thousands of years. In the ancient Greek world quartz was utilized in the Eleusinian mysteries, initiation ceremonies held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based at Eleusis in ancient Greece, to produce the sacred fire by concentrating the heat of the sun to ignite wood chips. Native American shamans are said to have used quartz crystals as divining and hunting charms, believing they were inhabited by spirits who had to be fed periodically by rubbing the quartz crystals with deer's blood. The Cherokee were known to use quartz crystals for divining stones. Australian aborigines Aboriginal tribes regard quartz crystal as a rain-stone, and use it in ceremonies meant to bring rain. And of course through the ancient world, for thousands of years, large pieces of quartz crystal were cut and polished into spheres, a scrying tool which enabled practitioners to foretell the future by peering into their crystal balls.
In the 14th century Medieval World of Europe, it was common for the quartz crystal to be engraved with the image of a man in armor holding a bow and arrow. The resulting talisman then would guard both the wearer and the place where it was situated. Quartz is very popular in the production of jewelry due to the fact it is very hard and durable. Some of the most popular varieties of quartz include amethyst (purple quartz), citrine (yellow quartz), and aventurine (green quartz). Other popular varieties include “tigerseye”, the relatively rare rose quartz, onyx, and various forms of agate (such as jasper). "Rose quartz" is the rarest of these various quartz varieties. The ancient Assyrians and Romans were among the first to use rose quartz, carved and faceted to provide gemstones, the Romans also using them to carve intaglios for signet rings. Rose quartz was regarding a token of love amongst both the ancient Romans and Assyrians.
Smoky quartz is brown, transparent quartz that is popular for large and unusual faceted crystals. Smoky quartz from Mount Cairngorm, Scotland, is known as "cairngorm", and since ancient times has been a favorite ornamental gemstone with Scots and Celts. Even today smoky quartz is worn in brooches with traditional Highland costumes. Tiger's Eye quartz contains brown iron which produces its golden-yellow color. Cabochon cut stones of this variety show the chatoyancy (small ray of light on the surface) that resembles the feline eye of a tiger, and have been enormously popular in various Asian cultures for thousands of years. It was a very important trade good in ancient India. And of course, the transparent colorless variety of quartz is still known as rock crystal. Although colorless quartz is relatively common, large flawless specimens are not. In the ancient world rock crystal was often been used in jewelry, particularly carved pieces.
Quartz crystals produce an electric voltage, a property known as piezoelectric. Unable to understand the characteristic, ancient cultures attributed many mystical properties to quartz crystals. For thousands of years various European cultures believed that the mind of a medium became receptive to the spirit world via the influence of quartz when it was fashioned into a sphere or crystal ball. Quartz was also believed to act as a psychic purifier, tuning one into their inner "vibrations”. It was believed that clear crystals possessed the ability to amplify emotions, enhance concentration and intuition, and neutralize "negative energies". Even today many people believe that wearing quartz crystals benefits a person's health and spiritual well being.
In the ancient world it was believed that quartz also possessed "medicinal" value as when applied to an inflamed area, it would act as an "ice pack". It was also used It also aid in curing mental disorders, problems with the lungs (including emphysema), sore throats, skin problems, circulatory system troubles (including varicose veins and hemorrhages) and respiratory system disorders. It was also used to provide relief from pain (particularly from headaches), to cure vision problems, and strengthen the immune system. Rose quartz was utilized as a cure for stress, heart, and circulatory related health problems. On the metaphysical plane quartz was believed to enhance intuition, mental clarity and concentration, emotional stability, confidence, creativity, love, and romance; and was also believed to increase fertility. Believed to be a spiritual awakener, quartz was believed to aid in balancing and amplifying body energy, emotions, and thoughts, producing a naturally balanced, solid-state energy field as it activated all levels of consciousness. And as nature's energy-generator, it was believed to draw white light into the physical body, helping to diagnose disease, stimulate brain functions and activate the pineal and pituitary glands [AncientGifts].
Smoky Quartz: Smoky quartz from Mount Cairngorm, Scotland, known as "cairngorm", has since ancient times has been a favorite ornamental gemstone. It is the national gemstone of Scotland and has been considered a sacred stone there for millennia, a belief dating back to the Druids. The Celtic population of the British called smoky quartz they mined in the Cairngorm Mountains of the Scottish highlands “morion”, and the yellow-brown to gray-brown crystals mined there “cairngorm” Beginning in the seventeenth century, craftsmen of Scottish weapons began to incorporate smoky quartz or citrines from the Cairngorm Mountains into shoulder brooches, kilt pins and dirk pommels.
Smoky quartz was and is a favorite ornamental stone set into the pommel of the Scottish dirk, or “black dagger”, a long dagger with a straight blade that is a prerequisite of Highland costume, having first appeared in the eighteenth century as a military accoutrement. A man’s “sgian dubh” (literally “black dagger” but also known as a “sock knife”) was invariably carried in a place of concealment, very often under his armpit. However when calling on another household Highland protocol called for men to deposit their weapons (claymore or broadsword, dirk, pistols, etc.) at the front door. Nonetheless even when visiting friends it was not safe to be entirely unarmed, and so Highlanders kept their dirk close at hand.
But out of courtesy to his host the proper Highland gentleman would remove it from under his armpit and put it somewhere where his host could see it, usually in his stocking, which incidentally also made it even quicker to access if needed. Even the Scottish royal scepter features a cairngorm stone. It is made of silver gilt and topped by a 2½ inch sphere of Scottish smoky quartz and a Scottish pearl. It was a gift in 1494 A.D. from Pope Alexander VI to King James IV, as a symbol of papal support for Scotland, a “special daughter” of the Holy See.
Together with a royal crown and sword, the three items form the Scottish “honors”, first used together at the coronation Mary, Queen of Scots at Stirling Castle in 1543. They were last used at the coronation of King Charles II at Scone Palace, the ancient crowning place of the kings of Scotland, on January 1, 1651, the last coronation to ever take place in Scotland. Other ancient cultures have used smoky quartz, and the Cairngorm Mountains were not the only source of smoky quartz in the ancient world. Much of the smoky quartz in the classical Mediterranean World came from the Swiss Alps. Fragments of smoky quartz vases have been uncovered in the excavations of ancient Babylonian Ur.
Smoky quartz was popular in ancient times with the Romans, who used the stone for carving intaglio seals. In the Middle Ages the most important deposit of smoky quartz was in Upper Silesia (now Poland). According to legend, a crystal ball of smoky quartz was the scrying or diving tool used by the renowned Dr. John Dee (1527-1608), alchemist, mathematician, astrologer, magician, and court diviner to Queen Elizabeth I of England (1533-1603). In Medieval Europe smoky quartz gemstones were often engraved with the image of a man in armor holding a bow and arrow. The stone supposedly guarded the wearer and the place where it was situated.
According to some historical references, smoky quartz was made into “sunglasses” in 12th century Medieval China, so that judges could use the smoky quartz glasses to hide their facial expressions when they interrogated witnesses. Later smoky quartz gained popularity as a material from whence snuff bottles were carved. Historically smoky quartz was often used shamanistic rituals, particularly in North American Indian ceremonies where smoky quartz was often found at the top of ritual wands used by some Indian cultures. It was particularly prized by the Cherokees. In the ancient world smoky quartz was recognized as a gemstone which possessed healing properties, and was also used by shamans to bring rain. Smoky quartz when worn as a talisman was also believed to protect the wearer from negative forces, surrounding the wearer with a barrier of protective energy. In the ancient world smoky quartz was often associated with the Greco-Roman Goddess Hecate, the goddess of magic, witchcraft, and necromancy (the summoning of the spirit of a deceased person).
Modern practitioners sometimes refer to smoky quartz as "the dream stone," as it is thought to enhance dreams, meditation, and channeling abilities. Smoky quartz is regarded as calming, soothing, comforting and stabilizing, with the power to restore balance and harmony, transform negative emotions to more positive energies, and to improve clarity of thought. Modern practitioners use smoky quartz to treat stress, depression, nightmares, fear, panic, depression, and pessimism. It is believed to help dispose of “psychic waste”, and to foster the courage to make changes and break bad habits, especially old beliefs and emotions that prevent one from experiencing life fully.
On the physical side, smoky quartz is regarded as a powerful healer, used to help remove toxins from the body and aid the proper functioning of the kidneys (relieving fluid retention), adrenals, and pancreas. It is also used to help balance sexual energies, as well as help increase fertility. Worn as an amulet, smoky quartz is said to keep the mind clear, banish confusion, clear ambivalence, fortify resolve, help the wearer consciously focus on spiritual growth, and heighten the wearer’s understanding of nature and the environment. Contemporary spiritualists claim that smoky quartz Smokey Quartz is a very powerful scrying stone, revealing visions of dragons, strange astral realms and ancient secrets [AncientGifts].
Rose Quartz: Aside from pearls, which were "discovered" as gemstones by prehistoric man, various forms of quartz (such as carnelian, amethyst, and rose quartz), turquoise, and lapis lazuli are the oldest gemstones utilized in the manufacture of jewelry. "Rose quartz" is the rarest of these various quartz varieties. Transparent, gemstone-quality rose quartz is very rare and is usually so pale that it does not show very much color except in large sizes. The pink shades of rose quartz are due to the presence of titanium. The ancient sources for rose quartz were mines in Namibia. Rose quartz beads have been found in Mesopotamian burials that date back to at least 7000 B.C. Jewelry produced by the ancient Assyrians around 800 B.C. featured rose quartz.
The Romans also used rose quartz to carve intaglios for signet rings, as well as cut ands faceted to provide gemstones for jewelry. Both the ancient Assyrians and Romans regarded rose quartz as a traditional gift expressing love or affection. In ancient Egypt masks cut from rose quartz were used to beautify the skin. The ancient Greeks associated the gemstone with the God Eros, who according to legend felt pity for humans when he saw the pain and loneliness caused by anger, so he created rose quartz in the hope that its beautiful color and gentle energy would arouse love and desire among people. In antiquity and through into the Middle Ages it was believed that the cosmos was reflected in gemstones. Rose quartz was associated with Venus, probably arising from the classical association of rose quartz with the Roman Goddess of Love, Venus.
A large deposit from rose quartz was discovered in 1756 A.D. in southern Bavaria near Germany's border with the Czech Republic, an area called the Bavarian Woods. The material was so intensely colored that it was said to resemble spinel. Between its discovery in 1756 and 1880, 16,000 tons of rose quartz was quarried and used to produce crystal tableware such as plates, bowls, glasses, etc., for Victorian Europe. Today tableware made from the material is avidly sought by collectors and fetch very handsome prices. Due to its soft color, rose quartz was long been regarded in the ancient world as a soothing, calming crystal that promoted love and healing. It was also associated with femininity.
Placing a rose quartz under one’s pillow at night was believed to promote peaceful sleep and creative inspiration. Its medical uses included its use as a cure for skin disorders (including healing scar tissue, burns, and blisters), stress, heart and circulatory related health problems, including its perceived value in releasing excess fluids and impurities in the cells of the body. Rose quartz was also used to prevent wrinkles, to treat asthma, eyesight problems, migraines, fever, bruises and aching in bones, fatigue, menstrual pains and tenderness.
On the metaphysical plane, rose quartz was believed to help clear negative emotions such as jealousy, anger and fear, and also to ease heartache and psychic traumas. It was also believed to enhance intuition, confidence, creativity, love, and romance; and was also believed to increase fertility. It was also believed to enhance the wearer’s awareness of the beauty and magic in the world, and to aid the wearer in maintaining a peaceful, harmonious environment. Wearing rose quartz was also believed to be therapeutic for those individuals who suffered from depression, low self esteem or self-hatred. Rose quartz was perceived as being associated with the healing power of forgiveness, and thus was helpful in opening the heart, healing the pain of past upsets, and releasing guilt and old grudges. It was also believed effective as an aid to balancing the masculine and feminine aspects within both men and women [AncientGifts].
Rutilated Quartz: Rutilated quartz features golden colored rutile inclusions (appearing as golden needles) which are actually titanium dioxide crystals. Titanium of course is a high-tech metal known for its resistance to wear and high temperatures. However to the ancients, these brilliant golden metallic-appearing inclusions were obviously captured rays of sun, frozen in quartz during the Ice Age. This was commonly believed all the way through the Medieval Age, when early alchemists still believed that quartz was water that encroaching glaciers had frozen and petrified. [AncientGifts].
Agate: Agate is named after its ancient source, the Achates River in Sicily, now known as the Drillo River, which remains a major source of this gemstone. The gemstone was so named by the 4th century B.C. ancient Greek Philosopher/Naturalist Theophrastus, who “discovered” the stone along the shore line of the river (there’s a dissenting opinion that the word agate is derived from the Greek word "agateес" – meaning happy). The Greeks used agate for making jewelry and beads. Ancient Greek mariners wore amulets of agate to protect against the perils of the sea. The Ancient Greeks also used agate to relieve stomach pains and diarrhea.
However agate had already been used for by man for decorative and amuletic purposes for thousands of years prior to the ancient Greeks, first by Stone Age man in France around 25,000 B.C. Archaeological discoveries demonstrate that the ancient Egyptians used agate well prior to 3,000 B.C. for talismans, amulets, seals, rings and vessels. In the Ptolemaic Period (fourth century B.C. to first century A.D.) the ancient Egyptians carved agate carved into scarabs. The ancient Egyptians believed that gray agate when worn around the neck would protect against and heal stiffness of the neck.
Agate was also extremely popular for use in jewelry in ancient Sumer, and agate was amongst the archaeological artifacts excavated at the Knossos site on Crete evidencing its use by the Bronze Age Minoan culture (about 1,800 B.C.). Persian magicians were believed to possess the power to divert storms through the use of agate talismans. Ancient Persians also believed that agate would confer eloquence upon the wearer. The ancient Persians (as well as other ancient Near Eastern cultures) also used agate as an antidote to fevers by placing the agate in the mouth. It was said to relieve thirst and reduce body temperature.
The ancient Babylonians used red agate to treat insect bites and stings, green agate to treat eye infections, and black agate (onyx) to protect women from disease. Agate talismans were worn in the Ancient Middle East to keep the blood healthy. In ancient Asia, agates were used by seers and magicians to see into the future. Agate was highly valued as a talisman or amulet in many other ancient cultures. It was said to quench thirst and protect from fevers. Another widespread belief in the ancient world was that wearing agate as a talisman would render the wearer invisible, thereby protecting the wearer from danger. Athletes throughout the ancient world wore agate amulets with the belief that agate would give them extra energy during competition and help them recover their strength afterwards.
Agate was also worn by various ancient cultures as protection against drowning, falling, mischievous fairies and poison, and was also believed an effective talisman to protect young children from harm. Farmers in many ancient civilizations (including the Romans) wore agate talismans to ensure a good harvest. The Romans, as well as the ancient Greeks, made extensive use of agate in their production of cameos and intaglio seals (as in signet rings). Moss agate, according to the Romans, had a divine power and an agate stone was used to grind ingredients for lotions and other ointments on, believing it would improve one's eyesight and/or disposition.
A famous collection of four thousand agate bowls that was accumulated by Mithradates, king of Pontus (Hellenic Turkey)Hellenic Turkey) is illustrative of the high value the ancient world had for agate. Agate bowls were also popular in the Byzantine Empire. Collecting agate bowls became common among European royalty during the Renaissance and many museums in Europe, including the Louvre, have spectacular examples. Early Celts in Britain used the gem to prevent skin disease, and in Celtic mythology orange agate was believed to be a powerful protection against Dragons. The Vikings and Saxons used agate to find lost items by ax and stone, a method of divination known as “axinomancy”.
In that ceremony a double-headed ax would be made red-hot and then the shaft pushed into a hole. A round agate pebble would then be placed on the upright ax head. If the pebble stayed on top of the ax, the questioner had to look elsewhere for the lost item. If the pebble fell to the ground, the questioner had to follow the direction of the rolling stone to find the missing item. During the Roman wars with the Gauls (in the first century B.C.), agate deposits were discovered along the Nahe river (a tributary to the Rhine) in Germany. The gem-cutting facilities set up there by the Romans survived until present day and, although the deposits are now depleted, the city of Idar-Oberstein on the Nahe river is still the major lapidary center of Europe.
Particularly from the 16th century onwards, huge quantities of cameos were cut from agate where layers of different colors occurred within the stone. The background material was cut away, leaving the cameo design in relief. In the Middle Ages and through to the Renaissance agate was worn as a talisman in the belief it could prevent harm from thunder and lightening, sorcery, poison, drunkenness and demonic possession. Medieval shamans and sorcerers believed that agate allow them to divine the truth. Agate was also believed to remove curses and spells, and to help eliminate bad luck. In Renaissance Europe, agate was believed to have a calming effect during times of stress and to give the wearer strength and courage. Renaissance-era artists and writers wore agate in the belief it would enhance creativity.
Wearing agate was also believed to improve vitality and physical strength, relieve headache pain, ensure marital and romantic fidelity, stimulate the intellect, and suppress anger. Agate was prized in Czarist Russia as a stone of long life, good health and prosperity. Agate is a variety of chalcedony quartz composed of colorful microscopic crystals of quartz occurring in bands of varying color and transparency. Most agates start as gas bubble cavities in eruptive rocks or ancient lava. Silica laden water seeps into the bubbles and coagulates to a silica gel, eventually crystallizing as quartz.
Agate is found in a wide variety of patterns and beautiful colors, and can be transparent to opaque. Many fossils (such as petrified wood, petrified coral, and even dinosaur bones) are agatized material where the original organic substance has been replaced by agate while retaining the original structure. The primary sources of agate today are Brazil, Uruguay, China, India, Madagascar, Mexico, the Ural Mountains of Russia, and the USA. In the ancient world it was believed that wearing agate made a person agreeable, happy, and cautious yet brave. Ancient cultures used it as a talisman as it was believed to bestow on the wearer protection against all dangers.
White agate was used as a cure for insomnia and guaranteed pleasant dreams. Agate was also believed to improve memory and concentration, increase stamina and encourage honesty, as well as aiding wearers to remain calm and focused. Contemporary practitioners attribute agate with fostering the ability to discover one's natural talents, enhancing analytical ability, and improving perceptiveness. It is believed to create a healthy balance between the physical, emotional and spiritual state of the wearer. Agate is reported to be an aid in overcoming fears and loneliness.
It is reputed to help the wearer view themselves with more clarity and view the world with a broader perspective. It is claimed to eliminate and cleanse “negative energies” from the body, and is thought to stimulate fertility and to be effective in treating bone marrow ailments and allergies. Due to the association with precision, agates are touted as useful talismans for accountants and bankers. And as in the distant past, agate is still considered an effective talisman which will increase wealth, good luck, long life, courage and strength; and to help protect and heal the wearer [AncientGifts].
Aventurine: Aventurine is a variety of chalcedony quartz characterized by its translucency and sparkly metallic inclusions which usually result in medium to dark green stones with a silvery green or blue sheen. The metallic inclusions give aventurine a unique sparkling iridescent effect, known as aventurescence. In addition to muscovite mica, hematite, goethite or boron may also be present and also produce iridescent properties. Aventurine is found in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Chile, China, Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Madagascar, Nepal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Tibet, and the USA.
Though green is the most common color of aventurine, it may also be found in blue, brown, white, peach, yellow, or orange, as well as shades in between (such as blue-green). The color of the stone depends on the mineral impurities contained within. Green aventurine contains a chrome-bearing mineral known as fuchsite mica, which imparts not only the classic green color, but the silvery sheen as well. Blue aventurine gains its color from the mineral dumortierite or from other aluminous sediments containing boron. Orange and brown aventurine gains its color from either hematite or goethite.
Green aventurine has been mined in India for millennia (particularly in the vicinities of Mysore and Madras), where it is sometimes referred to as “Indian Jade”. It has been mined in China for millennia as well, and is known as the "imperial stone”. In Russia golden-colored "goldstone" is produced from deposits in the Ural Mountains, and green adventurine is produced from deposits in the area of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly. Throughout Asia and Europe aventurine has been used for thousands of years in jewelry, as well as for ornamental objects such as vases, bowls, and figurines.
Some of mankind’s earliest known primitive tools were composed of aventurine quartz, discovered in Ethiopia's Omo Valley. Many of the tools date back more than two and a half million years. Aventurine is a superior material for tool-making because of its excellent hardness, and a brittleness that allows it to be flaked into blades relatively easily. Aventurine has had a complicated relationship with mankind in millennia past. Ancient Hindus believed that a talisman of aventurine calmed the wearer’s emotions and enhanced creativity. Elsewhere in the East mystics associated aventurine with moon magick. A legend from ancient Tibet says that aventurine was used to improve nearsightedness and to increase the wearer's creativity.
As well (and more recently), aventurine has been a popular fertility charm for hundreds of years, the belief being that a piece of aventurine in the bedroom or under the pillow enhanced fertility. Sources recommend a rounded stone for women and an oval or long stone for men, mirroring the sexual symbolism found in many ancient fertility rituals and sacred sites. Green aventurine has also been worn in Asia for many centuries for good luck, and a talisman of green aventurine was and remains very popular with gamblers. In Europe’s recent past large aventurine rings were very popular in Victorian England. Legends also record the use of aventurine as an all-purpose healer, used to reduce stress, develop confidence, imagination and improve prosperity.
The medicinal uses of aventurine included, as mentioned above, use as an all-purpose health tonic and as a stress-reducer. In centuries past aventurine was used in China and elsewhere in Asia to treat cardiovascular and circulatory diseases including high blood pressure, as well as to treat bronchitis and colds, dermatitis, and hair loss. In the twenty-first century Asia aventurine is still worn as a lucky talisman and is a popular stone for gamblers. Contemporary practitioners associate aventurine as the astrological birthstone for Taurus, and hold that it is useful for soothing the eyes and reliving migraine headaches, and recommend the gemstone for its “soothing” properties, suggesting that the gemstone can produce a better night's sleep. Medicinally contemporary practitioners use aventurine to treat disorders of the lungs and heart, believing that it can reduce cholesterol levels and prevent arteriosclerosis. It has also been used to sooth and heal urinary tract infections.
Aventurine is also recommended by many contemporary practitioners to help increase muscle flexibility and as a remedy for lower back ailments such as sciatica. It is also widely employed as an aid to draw out the heat of fevers and reduce inflammation in wounds and joints. Contemporary practitioners posit that green aventurine has the strongest healing energy, symbolizing tranquility, patience and creativity. It is also believed to be powerfully effective when combined with psychotherapy. Green aventurine is also believed to be the most effective color for treating heart and respiratory disorders, as well as to improve eyesight and vision.
And as a “lucky talisman”, it is green aventurine which is still believed to be the most potent compared to other colors available. Green aventurine is thought to stimulate dreams and have a positive effect on psychic ability. It is suggested by many that green aventurine is an effective aid in strengthening the wearer’s sense of self-esteem, and has the power to give its wearer a positive outlook towards life, allowing the wearer to recognize and appreciate their right to happiness, health and prosperity, and enabling the wearer to shed feelings of fear or unworthiness, depression or lethargy which may be preventing the wearer from achieving their full potential.
In short a talisman of green aventurine is believed to instill in the wearer optimism and perseverance, giving them the focus and determination needed to keep advancing on their goals, no matter how distant or unachievable they may appear. Green aventurine is also believed to be useful in easing anxiety and calming excess emotion, and to aid the wearer in making decisions from the heart, stimulating creative inspiration and giving the courage to live honestly and forthrightly around others. Green aventurine is also believed to be comforting, soothing, and supportive to the agitated mind, as well as to provide a sense of balance and inner equilibrium. Many practitioners maintain that green aventurine has the capability to calm a troubled spirit and bring about inner peace, and is useful for healing old traumas and emotional wounds, and enhancing the wearer’s cheerfulness and sense of humor.
Red aventurine on the other hand is said to boost vitality, creativity and mental alertness. It is thought to aid “romantic creativity”, making it a good gemstone for date night. It is also believed to be helpful in healing reproductive system, and sometimes to reverse diseases. In contrast a talisman of blue aventurine is thought to be helpful if the wearer is seeking inner strength or self-discipline, and is believed to enhance creativity and develop both confidence and leadership qualities, enabling the wearer to act decisively and enhance their intuition. The wearing of a blue aventurine amulet is also believed to enable the wearer to overcome bad habits. As is the case with green aventurine, blue aventurine is also said to provide patience, eliminate stubbornness, and control excitability. Medicinally blue aventurine physically is said to help the body release toxins [AncientGifts].
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SHIPPING & RETURNS/REFUNDS: We always ship books domestically (within the USA) via USPS INSURED media mail (“book rate”). Most international orders cost an additional $19.99 to $53.99 for an insured shipment in a heavily padded mailer. There is also a discount program which can cut postage costs by 50% to 75% if you’re buying about half-a-dozen books or more (5 kilos+). Our postage charges are as reasonable as USPS rates allow. ADDITIONAL PURCHASES do receive a VERY LARGE discount, typically about $5 per book (for each additional book after the first) so as to reward you for the economies of combined shipping/insurance costs.
Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment. We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers. All of our shipments are fully insured against loss, and our shipping rates include the cost of this coverage (through stamps.com, Shipsaver.com, the USPS, UPS, or Fed-Ex). International tracking is provided free by the USPS for certain countries, other countries are at additional cost.
We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. Please note for international purchasers we will do everything we can to minimize your liability for VAT and/or duties. But we cannot assume any responsibility or liability for whatever taxes or duties may be levied on your purchase by the country of your residence. If you don’t like the tax and duty schemes your government imposes, please complain to them. We have no ability to influence or moderate your country’s tax/duty schemes.
If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked 30-day return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price; 1) less our original shipping/insurance costs, 2) less any non-refundable fees imposed by eBay Please note that though they generally do, eBay may not always refund payment processing fees on returns beyond a 30-day purchase window. So except for shipping costs and any payment processing fees not refunded by eBay, we will refund all proceeds from the sale of a return item. Obviously we have no ability to influence, modify or waive eBay policies.
ABOUT US: Prior to our retirement we used to travel to Eastern Europe and Central Asia several times a year seeking antique gemstones and jewelry from the globe’s most prolific gemstone producing and cutting centers. Most of the items we offer came from acquisitions we made in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) during these years from various institutions and dealers. Much of what we generate on Etsy, Amazon and Ebay goes to support worthy institutions in Europe and Asia connected with Anthropology and Archaeology. Though we have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, our primary interests are ancient/antique jewelry and gemstones, a reflection of our academic backgrounds.
Though perhaps difficult to find in the USA, in Eastern Europe and Central Asia antique gemstones are commonly dismounted from old, broken settings – the gold reused – the gemstones recut and reset. Before these gorgeous antique gemstones are recut, we try to acquire the best of them in their original, antique, hand-finished state – most of them originally crafted a century or more ago. We believe that the work created by these long-gone master artisans is worth protecting and preserving rather than destroying this heritage of antique gemstones by recutting the original work out of existence. That by preserving their work, in a sense, we are preserving their lives and the legacy they left for modern times. Far better to appreciate their craft than to destroy it with modern cutting.
Not everyone agrees – fully 95% or more of the antique gemstones which come into these marketplaces are recut, and the heritage of the past lost. But if you agree with us that the past is worth protecting, and that past lives and the produce of those lives still matters today, consider buying an antique, hand cut, natural gemstone rather than one of the mass-produced machine cut (often synthetic or “lab produced”) gemstones which dominate the market today. We can set most any antique gemstone you purchase from us in your choice of styles and metals ranging from rings to pendants to earrings and bracelets; in sterling silver, 14kt solid gold, and 14kt gold fill. When you purchase from us, you can count on quick shipping and careful, secure packaging. We would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from us. There is a $3 fee for mailing under separate cover. I will always respond to every inquiry whether via email or eBay message, so please feel free to write.