The Jeweler's Directory of Gemstones: A Complete Guide to Appraising and Using Precious Stones From Cut and Color to Shape and Settings

For goldsmiths, collectors, jewelry-makers, investors, retailers and consumers. The trade of gemstones is a highly specialized and often secretive business. Using The Jeweler's Directory of Gemstones, written by an expert gemstone dealer and designer, will provide any consumer with the insider knowledge needed to make accurate judgments of gemstones, to recognize low- and high-quality stones, and to make a good buy rather than a bad one. Each full-color spread is packed with concise text, annotated drawings and beautiful photographs, including a showcase of virtuoso jewelry designs. Great for informed consumers, the book includes:Sources and gradingTraditional and modern settingsCutting and facetingDesigning a special settingGemstone groupsAppraising, buying and handling gemstonesDiamond types and pearlsSpotting synthetics and fakes. Here is a sampling of the practical insider information in this book:Using a loupe to examine a stoneUnderstanding laser cutting and carvingIdentifying synthetic diamondsBuying at gem fairs and from dealersCleaning and storing stones. No other book has this kind expert advice -- up-to-date, clearly presented and fully illustrated -- on evaluating and using gemstones. Read more