Gemstone Buying Guide, Second Edition: How to Evaluate, Identify, Select & Care for Colored Gems

Average customer rating:

Great basic information

Great Resource

Introduction to Evaluating Colored Gems with Lots of Colored Photos.

GEMSTONE BUYING GUIDE, SECOND EDITION

Book

Gemstone Buying Guide, Second Edition: How to Evaluate, Identify, Select & Care for Colored Gems
Renee Newman
Manufacturer: International Jewelry Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Colored Gemstones, 2nd Edition: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide: How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies and Other Colored Gemstones

ASIN: 0929975340

Customer Reviews:

Great basic information.......2007-06-27

This book is a must have for the beginner collector of gemstones. I refer to it practically everyday.

Great Resource.......2007-06-27

This book is a GREAT resource for gem buying. I'm hooked on the jewelry shows on TV and I think this book has given me the "edge" I need when purchasing gems.

Introduction to Evaluating Colored Gems with Lots of Colored Photos........2007-06-09

Renee Newman's "Gemstone Buying Guide" is an introduction to colored gemstones, not a comprehensive or in-depth resource. It presents the basics of evaluating quality in colored gems, avoiding fraud, and can serve as a quick reference to the background and characteristics of most gemstones that you will find in the marketplace. Chapters 2-7 address the major points of gemstone quality with discussions of: shape and cutting style, carat weight, color, clarity and transparency, cut, and a chapter that explains what to look for in star and cat's eye stones. The chapters on shape and carat weight are pretty basic. Those on color, clarity, and cut are more detailed. All chapters include advice on how to go about examining stones for these criteria.

Chapters 8-10 help the reader avoid fraud when shopping for gemstones with descriptions of various treatment procedures, both acceptable and deceptive, a brief discussion of synthetic stones, and practices commonly used to deceive buyers. Chapter 11 is by far the longest, containing the Gemstone Descriptions. 100 different species and varieties of gemstones are described, with information on their origins, characteristics, and vital statistics such as Refractive Index, Specific Gravity, Toughness, Crystal System, Cleavage, Optic Character, and more for each species or group. (Those terms are defined.) There are more than 125 color photographs of mounted and unmounted gems in this chapter. Guidance in evaluating jade and opal are included here rather than with the other chapters on gemstone quality.

The book concludes with a chapter on Caring for Your Gems, emphasizing that colored gemstones are not as durable as diamonds and providing a chart of risks according to stone. To be clear, this "Gemstone Buying Guide" does not discuss diamonds at all, colored or colorless. I enjoyed learning about stones that I've seen at gem shows and never understood. And I got some good tips on judging cut. I cannot say that I would be prepared to run out and buy a colored gemstone after reading only this book, however. It doesn't provide enough detail regarding how many and what type of inclusions constitute poor clarity in which stones or which stones are always heat-treated, sometimes treated, or never. The "Gemstone Buying Guide" does mention these issues but is not sufficiently instructive for my taste. But this book is an introduction and is fine as such.

GEMSTONE BUYING GUIDE, SECOND EDITION.......2007-06-08

Excellent, colorful, high quality photos of hundred of gemstones, loose and set in jewelry. As a novice, this information has helped me to identify gems I have collected in estate sales and inherited from my family. It's Great Book..highly recommended!Gemstone Buying Guide, Second Edition: How to Evaluate, Identify, Select & Care for Colored Gems

Book.......2007-04-06

Very good information. Anyone new to the world of Gemstones will benefit from reading it.

Colored Gemstones, 2nd Edition: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide: How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies and Other Colored Gemstones

Average customer rating:

Detailed Discussion of Enhancements, Color and Cut Make This Guide Exceptional.
Informative but a lot of repetition
Informative
Very thorough & informative
Great Information, Very Helpful

Colored Gemstones, 2nd Edition: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide: How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies and Other Colored Gemstones
Antoinette L. Matlins
Manufacturer: Gemstone Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0943763452

Customer Reviews:

Detailed Discussion of Enhancements, Color and Cut Make This Guide Exceptional. .......2007-06-11

"Colored Gemstones" is a beginners' guide to gemstones that aims to help consumers understand what types of gems are available, what to look for in determining value, and how to go about doing that. This book does not oversimplify the subject as some guides for beginners do. Author and gemologist Antoinette Matlins gives readers some preliminary guidance on how to familiarize yourself with a gemstone using a loupe and how to determine if it is well-cut. Then it is on to Part 2, which constitutes the bulk of the book and is a fount of essential and fascinating information.

First, the "4 C's" of color, clarity, cut, and carat, with particular emphasis on color and cut and how they relate to one another. Sample laboratory reports on gems are provided, so we see what a lab report can tell the consumer. The chapter on synthetic gems and enhancement treatments is particularly informative. The author describes common treatments and provides a very useful chart of treatments by gemstone. The chart lists treatments for 34 gem groups and indicates which treatments are typically used, seldom used, whether they are stable, and whether the treated gemstones require any special care, including which should avoid ultrasonic cleaners. Information on color enhancement spans several chapters.

A chapter on fraud and misrepresentation lists which gemstone treatments are acceptable practice and which are dishonest, with descriptions of the treatments, and a list of deceptive names often used to mislead customers. So we will know what our options are, the author lists gems by color, provides a list of gems not routinely enhanced for those who prefer natural stones, and a table of how much treated vs a natural stones differ in price. There is a detailed price guide for 21 groups of (faceted) gems, indicating what you may expect to pay for good to extra fine quality stones, wearability, and availability. Opal and synthetic price guides are separate. One chapter is dedicated to descriptions of about 40 gems, with data on hardness, chemical composition, wearability, and brilliance for each. Ms. Matlins concludes with specific advice on what to ask and look for when buying stones, what facts to make sure appear on your receipt, and tips for cleaning and caring for gems.

Having read Renee Newman's Gemstone Buying Guide, I find that Ms. Matlins' "Colored Gemstones" is more complete. This is primarily because the coverage of enhancements, synthetics, and price are more extensive in this book. Its discussions of how cut affects color are also better. That said, the "Gemstone Buying Guide" treats star and cat's eye stones more thoroughly and has a slight advantage in coverage of opal and jade. It provides more vital statistics, including refractive index, cleavage, and specific gravity. "Colored Gemstones" biggest shortcoming is the scarcity of photographs. There is a 16-page insert of color photos, but most of the gems discussed are not pictured. The "Gemstone Buying Guide" has far more photos, but if you have to choose one book, I think you'll be happier with "Colored Gemstones" unless your interest is in cat's eye or star gems.

Informative but a lot of repetition.......2007-05-24

If you buy Jewellery and gem buying guide from the same author, you find it is a lot of repetition. However, to me this book is giving more information than the other one as the discussion of more focus on gemstone.

Informative.......2007-01-16

Quite enlightening. Particularly liked the guide for prices of gemstones as well as the uses of stones. Had I purchased this book before, I would have made more informed choices when buying gemstones. Would recommend to anyone buying any type of gemstone.

Very thorough & informative.......2006-11-17

Everything I needed to know to get started buying gemstones. Easy to read and very detailed; it helped me learn where the true value lies in these gems. More than I ever thought I'd learn!

Great Information, Very Helpful.......2006-11-15

I'm a novice at gemstones, but I found this book easy to read. It had all the information I needed to shop for gems! I'm sure people with more experience would also find this helpful.

Jewelry & Gems the Buying Guide: How to Buy Diamonds, Pearls, Colored Gemstones, Gold & Jewelry With Confidence And Knowledge (Jewelry and Gems the Buying Guide)

Average customer rating:

This is an excellent book for the beginning gemstone buyer
Great book for beginners
Great Book!
No More Mistakes
This Book Makes A Difference

Jewelry & Gems the Buying Guide: How to Buy Diamonds, Pearls, Colored Gemstones, Gold & Jewelry With Confidence And Knowledge (Jewelry and Gems the Buying Guide)
Antoinette L. Matlins , and Antonio C. Bonanno
Manufacturer: Gemstone Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0943763444

Book Description

Know What You Want, Know What You're Buying, Learn the Secrets to Get the Most for Your Money

Easy to Read • Easy to Understand Practical • Complete Instant Answers ... to All Your Questions Completely Updated & Expanded 6th Edition!

Purchasing gems and jewelry can be a magical experience, filled with excitement and anticipation. But lack of information, error, or misrepresentation can make the thrill of buying a gem or piece of jewelry confusing, intimidating, overwhelming, and costly.

To help you avoid the pitfalls and keep the magic, two internationally respected experts on buying gems and jewelry put their inside knowledge to work for you in this easy-to-read, easy-to-use guide. It is filled with practical advice and is designed to make it easy for you to have all the information you need to buy gems and jewelry with confidence.

Recommended by consumer and jewelry trade reviewers around the world, it is already in use in over 100 countries and has been translated into Spanish, Arabic, Greek, Hungarian, and Russian. Over 300,000 copies are now in print and this revised, updated, expanded edition covers even more: buying and selling on the internet, dazzling new diamond cuts, recently discovered gems … and new treatments and trickery to look out for. There are fascinating mythical and magical tidbits, and practical tips that could only come from an insider.

In simple, straightforward terms you'll learn about the four Cs and how to juggle them to get what you want, at the price you want to pay; what to look for, and look out for; all about gold and platinum, jewelry design, and some of the country's leading designers. You'll learn what questions to ask and what to get in writing, and even how to select the jeweler, appraiser, and insurer. The authors leave no stone unturned to give you everything you need to know—whether you are a novice or a connoisseur. With Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide, you'll find the experience can be a joy, and the gems and jewelry you select a source of lasting pleasure!

Praise for Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide

"Restores the magic! [Will] entertain and enlighten all its readers and save some from heart-break. Recommended reading." — Paul Harvey, Paul Harvey News

"Includes all kinds of fun facts to know and tell ... an essential resource for the gem buyer." — Art & Antiques

"Takes the guesswork out of this important decision ... obtain the best value for your money." — Modern Bride

"A book designed to build trust between jewelry retailers and consumers." — National Jeweler

"An appropriate book for the uninformed public, but more than that, it is a good reference book for jewelers and their staffs, gem collectors, students of gemology, travelers, teachers, and even those who know gemology but want a state-of-the-art review." — Lapidary Journal

"We have seen no work more practical and accurate than [this book] ... the investor, or engagement ring buyer, who follows the dictates ... which are well explained and illustrated, will surely avoid being burned ... the best of its kind and likely to be of enormous value to anyone." — Frederick H. Pough, PhD Former Curator of Gems and Minerals, American Museum of Natural History, N.Y.C.

"Most certainly achieves its aim of helping consumers buy gems and jewelry with confidence and knowledge ... highly recommended." — Asian Jewelry

"Especially useful to service members shopping overseas." — Financial Planning Guide Supplement to Army, Navy and Air Force Times

Customer Reviews:

This is an excellent book for the beginning gemstone buyer.......2007-08-13

Excellent! This is hands down the best book on the market for the beginning gemstone buyer.

Great book for beginners.......2006-12-08

If you are buying jewelry/gems for any occasion and don't exactly know what you are doing, this book is a great start. The section on colored gemstones was particularly helpful, as it is harder to find good information on them. The book is definitely a keeper as it can be used for many different purchases.

Great Book!.......2006-09-20

A friend recommended this book and I'm so glad she did! So informative and easy to understand--even for a novice like me! I now have more confidence when I buy jewelry and know what questions to ask a jeweler before I decide to buy. Great book!

No More Mistakes.......2006-09-03

With the help, guidelines and information from this incredible book I finally felt I could shop for jewelry with confidence and a "sense of experience".

This Book Makes A Difference.......2006-09-02

I am not a geologist or gemologist but I am very interested in gems and jewelry. After purchasing and reading several other books on the subject of gems and jewelry, this was the most informative! I could not put it down. I buy jewelry of all sorts for re-sale, and this book is the only book that tells me all my choices whether buying diamonds, colored gemstones, or pearls. It is also the only book that describes the many clever ways that one can be deceived. I especially like their price charts for diamonds and colored gem stones because they are organized in a way that focuses attention on the impact of quality factors on value. The colored gem stone charts are organized so that it is easy to compare numerous stones of the same color. For example if my customer wants a green stone this book lists all of the stones available, and how they compare to each other in terms of price, durabilty, and availabilty in different sizes. No other book does this. I could go on and on, but I will sum it up in three words: It's the BEST!

Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide--How to Buy Diamonds, Pearls, Colored Gemstones, Gold & Jewelry With Confidence and Knowledge (5th Edition)

Average customer rating:

Wonderful Wealth of Knowledge
Perfect Starter Guide
Book pays for itself many times over
Jewelry & Gems The Buying Guide
ALL THE TITLE

Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide--How to Buy Diamonds, Pearls, Colored Gemstones, Gold & Jewelry With Confidence and Knowledge (5th Edition)
Antoinette Matlins , and A. C. Bonanno
Manufacturer: Gemstone Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0943763312

Book Description

Completely Updated, Expanded, Revised.New edition of the "unofficial bible" for jewelry and gem buyers. Explains how to buy diamonds, pearls, precious, and other popular colored gems, gold, and jewelry with confidence and knowledge.This authoritative book includes new sections on design and style, pearls, gold, and platinum, as well as full coverage of recently discovered new gems to look for...and new treatments and trickery to look out for. Easy to read and understand, Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide covers every aspect of purchasing and enjoying jewelry and gems.Selected contents:Retail Price Guides for Diamonds, Colored Gems, and Pearls.Getting to Know Gems.Diamonds: How to Determine the Value of a Diamond.The Four C's - Treatments - New shapes & old - How flaws affect diamonds - How to read diamond grading reports - How to spot fraud & misrepresentationColored Gemstones: New Stones Add Exciting Choices.Mystery & Magic - Determining value - New treatments - Synthetics - Fraud & misrepresentation - Misleading names - Gem alternatives by colorPearls: Types - Factors that affect quality and value.Gold & Platinum.Choosing the Setting.Important Advice Before You Buy; Questions to Ask.Selecting a Reputable Jeweler, Appraiser, & insurer.Gemstone Investment.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Wealth of Knowledge.......2006-08-22

This book is a must have for anyone, novice or expert! I was looking for something that would educate me in my new "hobby" of gem collecting and ran across this valuable book. It contains sections from how to purchase great diamonds to colored gemstones (my favorites!). The first part of the book deals with examining stones, how to hold the stone when examining it, using a loupe (those round magnifying glass-type things that are used by jewlers), identifying the parts of a gem (yes, there are parts of gem such as a table, a girdle, a crown, a pavilion and a cutlet) , and the different cuts of stones (round, trilliant, pear, Marquise, oval, emerald, etc.). The second part of the book deals exclusively about diamonds, the importance of the cut and proportion, body color and grades, faulty cuts, girdle faults, popular and nonpopular shapes, desirable colors, diamond flaws, clarity and how it's determined, V, VV, S, I explained, weight, spotting frauds, and comparing diamond prices. Section 3 is about colored gemstones, determing value, gemstone treatment, fraud, purchasing colored gems, and pearls. Part 4 is about Design and Style and offers important advice before buying. Part 6, the final chapter, offers important advice after you purchase a gemstone. There's even a section that gives retail prices, by carat, on each type of gemstone! Lots of important diagrams too! My next book to purchase that will compliment this book is Gem Identificatin Made Easy by Antoinette Matlins and A.C. Bonanno. This book will explain how to use pocket, portable and laboratory instruments to identify diamonds and colored gems! Yeah, baby! No more guessing!

Perfect Starter Guide.......2005-07-28

This book is exactly what I needed to substantially increase my knowledge of colored gemstones. It contains several 4 to 5 page sections of colored gemstone pictures with identification and a very informative section that gives general price per carat ranges for a large variety of gems. I've just added loose gemstones to my retail stock and I've referred to this guide so often that I know many of the page numbers by heart.

Book pays for itself many times over.......2003-06-02

One thing that retail jewelers count on is that the public is unwilling to do its homework.

And if you've got tens of thousands of dollars to spend and don't much care where it goes, don't buy this book (but feel free to send me some of that money).

On the other hand, if you're like most of us, you want to get the best value for your money, and this book will definitely help by giving great tips when buying diamonds and other gems.

Not only that, this book can give you some creative ideas. Looking for something beyond the cheap "frozen spit" diamonds that are being sold all over these days? For the same money, you can buy a colored stone or cultured pearl that will look better and be a better value. Want a nice, bright green stone but haven't got $10k for an emerald? This book can give some affordable alternatives, like maybe a tsavorite.

This is a tremendous resource, written in an easy-to-understand style, and organized in a way that makes referring to it inviting.

Jewelry & Gems The Buying Guide.......2003-03-18

I have been buying jewelry for many years, and my biggest regret is that I have not taken the time to learn about the different types and quality of gems available. This book has certainly taught me a lot of things that jewelry store sales people never told me. I am sure that the information that I learned from this book will be of great help in my future purchases.

ALL THE TITLE.......2001-08-28

MY NAME IS ZARIS119 .I HAVE MANY COLLECTIONS OFF GEMS STONE, SOME OF THEM ARE POWERFULL AND SPIRITUAL THIS BOOK I THING TO MUCH GUIDING LINE.

Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald Buying Guide: How to Evaluate, Identify, Select & Care for These Gemstones

Average customer rating:

Easy for a beginner
A high quality book with facts about the three most important coloured stones.
This book is not serious .

Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald Buying Guide: How to Evaluate, Identify, Select & Care for These Gemstones
Renee Newman
Manufacturer: International Jewelry Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0929975286

Customer Reviews:

Easy for a beginner.......2007-08-27

I first came across this book in the library years ago, and was hooked solely on the pictures. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and I bought it, remembering the pictures. This time, I actually read it through, having a better idea about jewelry. This book is good for a beginner, because it talks about how rubies and sapphires are chemically the same but the color gives them different names, and the special qualities of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. I own many Colombian emeralds that belonged to my Colombian grandmother, so I was able to turn around and look at pieces I own, and understand the context of the book. I also learned the wonderful qualities of these popular colored stones, from cuts, to acceptable clarity, and valuble color variations. For someone who wants something easy to read, easy to understand, and has fabulous pictures, I would recommend this book.

A high quality book with facts about the three most important coloured stones........2007-04-11

An good insight into the trade for the consumer. It is easy-to-read, filled with great colour pictures, and with descriptions in everyday language that even the non-professional can easily understand. I recommend it to everyone.

For further important reading i suggest You coplete Your collection with the Enhancement-books by the author Ted Themelis (please search with the name of the Author to find the books in question).

This book is not serious ........2005-09-16

I was hoping for a more serious book with new facts and price evaluations. At least show examples and more pictures.
The author did a very bad job with this book its childish and not informing anything special even the internet can give you better stuff to read .

DONT BUY THIS BOOK

regards
Maxamed Aden

Colored Gemstones, 1st Edition: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide--How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies, and Other Colored Gemstones with Confidence and Knowledge

Average customer rating:

Useful, but redundant and reprises other sources
Same Book as Jewelry & Gems Buying Guide
Consumer Protection Advocate

Colored Gemstones, 1st Edition: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide--How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies, and Other Colored Gemstones with Confidence and Knowledge
Antoinette L. Matlins
Manufacturer: Gemstone Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0943763339

Book Description

Colored Gemstones--The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide : How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies and Other Colored Gems with Confidence and Knowledge

All the Information You Need to Buy, Collect, Sell--or Simply Enjoy--Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies and Other Colored Gemstones with Confidence and Knowledge

With more varieties than ever before to choose from, including altogether new gems, revolutionary new cuts, and new ways to buy gems--such as internet auctions and TV shopping--there has never been a more exciting time to buy or collect colored gemstones. But there are also new high-tech treatments and sophisticated frauds to look out for. Lack of information, error, or misrepresentation can make the thrill of buying a gem or piece of jewelry confusing, intimidating, overwhelming, and costly. Buyers need a source of expert guidance. This practical, comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide provides all the information you need in order to know what to look for, and what to look out for, including:

* What qualifies as a "gemstone"?
* How to evaluate color--and its impact on price.
* Deciding between a natural gem and an enhanced gem.
* Colored gemstone synthesis and treatment.
* What to ask when buying the stone.
* What to get in writing.
* How to get what you want within your budget.
* Price guides for popular gems, opals, and synthetic stones.

And much, much more! Written by an "insider," this easy-to-read guide is the "unofficial colored gemstone bible" for anyone who wants to get the most for their money and enjoy what they have purchased.

Customer Reviews:

Useful, but redundant and reprises other sources.......2006-04-21

Antoinette Matlins is a gemstone authority, teacher, and author who has made a large educational contribution to the appreciation of gemstones and jewelry. This book attempts to summarize and synthesize the growing world of colored gems, so that readers and buyers can make informed choices.

She introduces readers to the traditions of zodiac gems & birthstones; addresses the use of the loupe; talks about evaluation of cuts and color. She includes price tables and tables about treatments by gem family; and finally addresses each gem by chapter section. A pleasing color plate section sets off the center of the book.

A problem is that much of the information is repeated constantly throughout the book, while other potentially useful information is missing. Information about her favorites -- emerald, ruby, sapphire -- shows up in the early chapters, to be repeated later in the chapters specifically about these gems. Meanwhile, other information is lacking. Personally, I would like to know the differences between "Swiss blue Topaz," "sky blue Topaz," and "London blue Topaz." Are they different treatments, or are they different names for the same thing? You won't find it here. What about buying gems on Ebay? Could Ebay be a good place for the beginner to explore inexpensive colored gemstones and learn to use tools? Or do the risks outweigh the potential rewards? Do high-roller gem buyers ever use Ebay? In what sorts of cases?

All this said, you will glean useful information that may not be available in other sources about recent changes in certain gems -- e.g., that Aquamarine is now entering the "expensive" classification, and sizes over 10 carats with good color and clarity are becoming hard to find. But overall -- and I regret if this seems hypercritical, but readers need to know -- this feels like a rehash. Although there will be tidbits you will glean here, this book seems to repeat the information in Matlins' other books, without adding much new.

The REAL book to use for gemstone buying is Matlins' EXCELLENT "Gem identification made easy," where she hits on all cylinders. The information in that book -- on stones, tools, and inclusions -- has almost everything here and much more, including a TERRIFIC color plate section on inclusions.

Same Book as Jewelry & Gems Buying Guide.......2005-09-20

The content in this book is almost identical (page for page) to certain sections of Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide--How to Buy Diamonds, Pearls, Colored Gemstones, Gold & Jewelry With Confidence and Knowledge (5th Edition). While the content was good, I was looking for something more in-depth. This was not it.

So, if you have Jewelry and Gems, don't buy this book. If you do not, this is a good introduction to colored gemstones.

Consumer Protection Advocate.......2004-03-14

One would not think that competing gemstones titles could generate the passionate allegiances found in the various on-line reviews of those titles. However those allegiances are there and I think I know why - have you ever noticed how people committed to exposing the truth are often reviled? In an industry where deception, rephrased as "enhancements" abound; where too many jewelers justify pawning off on unsuspecting customers something less-than-genuine as, "simply acknowledging reality" or "giving the customer what he wants", Antoinette Matlins stands out as an oracle of truth. This, I'm sure, makes her somthing less than heroic to those who enjoy the easy mark-ups in less-than-genuine articles. (Apparently Antoinette Matlins's father was something of a pioneer in stepping forward and informing the public about what really goes on behind the scenes in the world of gems.)

If you have a passion for truth; are a dedicated and tireless advocate for consumers and consumer rights, and wish to protect yourself or someone you love from unscrupulous sharks in the gem trade, than obtain and read this compact, easy-to-read volume. While there may be other volumes on the market with more breadth and scope, and more abundant pictures, I felt very satisified, after reading this book, that I had gained a solid understanding with which I could begin the perilous navigation of the gem trade.

The Complete Guide To Buying Gems. How To Buy Diamonds and Colored Gemstones with Confidence and Knowledge.

Average customer rating:

The Complete Guide To Buying Gems. How To Buy Diamonds and Colored Gemstones with Confidence and Knowledge.
Antoinette Leonard Matlins
Manufacturer: Crown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NUHVS6

Average customer rating:

Gemstone Buying Guide

Manufacturer: GAZELLE BOOK SERVICE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HA20K6

Average customer rating:

Gemstone Buying Guide
Renee Newman
Manufacturer: Robert Hale Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 0709064748

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