Book Description

Customer Reviews (15)

Best book on gems so far!
Best book I've bought on gems.Tons of great color pics 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).

Excellent Resource
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.

Good for beginner
I recommend this book for any gemnologist in training. Contains most of the relevant information needed for quick referrence. But if you are looking for something that teach you how to cut the stone, then this is not for you.

Gemstones of the world
This is a very informative book with some good pictures, especially for the beginner who is learnig about gemstones. I read and reference it often. I am very pleased with this book and I look forward to using it for a long time.

Gemstones of the World
I use it all the time. It has answered all of my questions. Great book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Gemstones Galore!
This book is very informative of the types of gems.Look who wrote it, that tells the rest of the story.Would recommend buying this book.

pocket sized
Its a very thorough reference guide. Kind of like a field guide that you could carry with you. It is organized very well and gives some good in depth information. I think for some users they may find some of the information quite over their heads. Being a Smithsonian publication it of course leans towards the scientific.

Absolutely beautiful and informative book.
This is great reference gook if you are interested in gemstones and where they are found.I first checked this book out of the library to see if I wanted to buy it.I definitely wanted my own copy.I keep this by my computer, along with a copy "Gemstones of the World" by Walter Schumann, when I am looking for gemstones on the internet.The photographs are excellent and information is to the point.

Great Reference Tool
I Guess I'm part Crow; Shiney, Sparkley things definetly attract my attention, while the human side of me wants to know what they are, where they come from, and how they are formed.This book actually appeals to both sides. The color plates are very eye appealing, so my crow self is happy and my human self has plenty of tables, charts, and descriptives to satisfy it's inquisitive nature.
While this will not be the only Gem Reference book in my library, it is very much worth reading over and over again.
Highly Recommend *****

Great little book.
This is a great little book. I bought a copy for my rock and gem club's library, and we liked it so well that we bought another copy and donated it to our local public library. I especially like the way it shows the gems and minerals in their natural state, then cabochoned, cut and polished also. ... Read more

Book Description
Whether buyinggem-set jewellery or loose stones, you will be faced with a colourful array of beauty and value. With such a wide choice - from amethyst to zircon which should you choose? What is it worth, and how do you even know it is real? All that glitters is not gold, as they say, and all that sparkles is not diamond.Gemstones helps to answer these questions in simple and easy to understand terms. As well as diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires, over 100 gems are featured, with full descriptions, technical details, and tips on how to check for fakes; illustrated throughout with fabulous colour photographs to make identification easier. Technical terms such as refraction and fluorescence are explained and some basic identification tests are introduced. A helpful tour around the world details where gems are best available. Informative appendices include a glossary of terms, tables of specific gravity and refractive index, and the comparative value of different stones. The clear, uncomplicat ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great detail!
If you need a book on Gemstones, this is the one.Awesome pictures and great detail on discribing the many different gems around the world.If you are a collector of gemstones, this is a MUST HAVE!" ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

incredible
This book is incredible! It follows the same format as the lark 500 series - but with more! There are profiles of the masters showcased in this book with info about them, thier work, sometimes how they got started etc. Then this is followed by a selection of pages of thier work. Its beautifully done and its inspiring to the very last detail. This is not a project book. Its a gallery of masters, as its title implies, and its inspiring for jewellers, collectors and anyone interested in jewellery. It focuses, obviously, on gemstone use - but this doesn't restrict it to one type of jewellery - there are incredible examples of metalwork, mixed media, gem carving, setting etc. Its just beautiful. I'm blown away by it. It arrived a few days ago and I still can't put it down. Been carrying it around with me! If you like the 500 series, any of them, one of them or all of them, I feel sure that you will love this book. Its very well done and a lot more effort has gone into this new "masters" series that lark are planning to do more of (yey) than with the general 500 series - which is just a call for submissions. This book has collected masters together and written about them and thier work some - so its insightful, especially to other jewellers/metalsmiths. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Detailed Discussion of Enhancements, Color and Cut Make This Guide Exceptional.
"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
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
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
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
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. ... Read more

Book Description

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 grading
• Traditional and modern settings
• Cutting and faceting
• Designing a special setting
• Gemstone groups
• Appraising, buying and handling gemstones
• Diamond types and pearls
• Spotting synthetics and fakes.

Here is a sampling of the practical insider information in this book:

• Using a loupe to examine a stone
• Understanding laser cutting and carving
• Identifying synthetic diamonds
• Buying at gem fairs and from dealers
• Cleaning and storing stones.

No other book has this kind expert advice -- up-to-date, clearly presented and fully illustrated -- on evaluating and using gemstones.

Customer Reviews (13)

A Valuable Addition to a Gemstone Library
"The Jeweller's Directory of Gemstones" provides a good introduction to the world of gemstones for both jewellers and those interested in purchasing gemstone jewellery. This full color book complements the existing gemstone directories. I also own copies of Gemstones (Smithsonian Handbooks) and Gemstones of the World: Newly Revised & Expanded Third Edition and I consider all three of these books to be of equal value (I recommend that you purchase all three of them, if you can afford it). However, unlike the other two books I mentioned, this book discusses gemstone jewellery, as well as providing geological information about the gems (most gemstone guides simply focus on the geological detail). This book also has a good glossary and index.

This book is a valuable addition to any gemstone library and it is well worth the price of purchase.

Gemstone Directory Review
Good for what it is, this book offers an ABC look at some gemstones. There is no depth to the material, but it makes a nice starting point and gives a position to make further research decisions on. The section on setting options for different kinds of stones is valuable & interesting, but could have been a lot larger/in-depth, as from a 'Jeweler's' perspective (as the title implies)this is critical info.
All in all I am happy I bought this book & look forward to finding some serious/heavy duty books that delve right into this important subject.

Libraries will find this holds wide appeal for a range of gem crafters.
Anyone interested in working with gemstones, from jewelers and jewelry makers to designers, will find THE JEWELER'S DIRECTORY OF GEMSTONES: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO APPRAISING AND USING PRECIOUS STONES, FROM CUT AND COLOR TO SHAPE AND SETTING an invaluable resource. Here a history pairs with tips on how to appraise and use gemstones properly, with color photos tying all topic together. Sections are divided into ideas on creating gemstones through mining and collecting, identifying types of stones, and using them in designs. Libraries will find this holds wide appeal for a range of gem crafters.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Very helpful
This book has a ton of interesting information for the collector.I would recommend it highly.

Appraising is not really addressed
This book is rich in accurate images of gems and minerals and has a scientific review of chemical composition, hardness and refractive properties. It is not, however, a guide for appraisal. I have seen a small booklet that determines the carats of gems based on the dimensions and shape of the particular stone. This information is what I had hope to get, but, unfortunately, did not. ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive listing of the therapeutic uses and healing effects of the most important crystals and gemstones. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

great book but pages fell out
This is a great book as far as the contents but after looking thru the book a couple of times several pages were falling out.

Healing Crystals and Gemstones: From Amethyst to Zircon
This book is a very handy book. I reference it very often. It has nice clear pictures and detailed descriptions on a wide variety of different crystals and gemstones. Over all a very good and informative book.

Great service
The book arrived in a timely manner & no shipping damage. Item was just as described. Thank you.

grab this and Judy Hall's "Crystal Bible" and nothing else...
excellent, excellent book with vivid pics and of course all the wonderful sections and advantages already mentioned, but consider this...I have used the chapter "The Magical Connection between Stone and Star" to create healing bracelets/anklets for others and for myself made from the stones listed for our particular birth signs-very cool! The wealth of information at the tips of your fingers is just astounding...I refer to this and Judy Hall's "The Crystal Bible" and "Crystals and Healing Stones" for more obscure stones daily. I found it on a clearance rack and bought 3 copies-two sisters love crystals and two friends, so I was one short since I had my copy already...I am in the dog house because I mention it alot! IF YOU SEE IT GET IT, you won't regret it!

Beautiful Reference
If you're looking for an in-depth reference book on crystal therapy, this is NOT the right tome for you.If you're looking for a book that handily serves as lightweight resource, historical reference and coffee table volume, this is perfect.

Author Flora Peschek-Bohmer incorporates stunning photography in this beautiful epistle, laying her narratives over glossy pages and lush images.The hardback version, at approximately 7 x 9.5 inches, is a generous size without being too large to tuck into a suitcase.The text contains a blend of history and crystal lore, presented in simple-to-follow terms.Stated metaphysical attributes frequently takes a back seat to historical references, where Peschek-Bohmer provides an intriguing look at how mankind has employed stones for various uses.

While the primary thrust is the metaphysical properties of crystals, this book also includes a good rundown of care, cleansing and other tools for anyone who wants to carry or use or just collect examples of the featured stones. ... Read more

Book Description
A fascinating guide to the more widely-known precious stones -- from uncut gems to spectacular examples of finished jewelry -- this is the ideal introduction to the glittering world of gems. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

gemstones
great little book.lots of pictures and interesting facts about gemstones.bought this for my grand-daughter; she loved it.

My grandma loves it
I bought this book for my grandma about 5 or 6 years ago. Its a VERY SMALL book. fits in your pocket, but definatly worth reading. basic info on every gem on the planet.
but if you want detailed, page after page long info on a certain rare gem- this is not the book. this is just a gorgeous simple overview. ... Read more

Book Description
Combines the popular craft of beading with beautifulsemi-precious stones, which are collected by many.

Features a variety of versatile ideas which can be adapted for any type ofgem or bead.

Readers will learn to reate beautiful gemstone jewelry with this dazzlingcollection of over 100 projects, ranging from eyecatching earrings andaccessories to exquisite necklaces and bracelets. This beautiful bookoffers an impressive range of 28 beautiful semi-precious stones (includingbirthstones) and a glimpse into the fascinating history and mythicalproperties behind them. Projects range from the simplest stringing to moredetailed beadwork to cater for all levels of ability. Clear artworks,beautiful photographs and easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions ensureflawless results. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Beautiful projects with gorgeous photographs
I am new to beading (about one year) and have found books on my level to be either boring or ugly in their designs.This book is neither.It has gorgeous photographs and more than enough intermediate and advanced projects for me to shoot for.Each project is labeled by skill level and time necessary to complete.You will be amazed at what you can complete in less than an afternoon.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Very good book.
I have worn this one out.I need to pick up another copy.This is a MUST BUY!!!

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

Great Resource
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.
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
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 ... Read more

Book Description
Simply by stringing pure, high-quality gemstone spheres into necklaces and wearing them around the neck, anyone can enjoy the full benefits of these revolutionary energy medicine tools. The stones can transform health, foster happiness, clarify the mind, and uplift the spirit. At the forefront of a revolution in energy medicine, therapeutic gemstones are among the most powerful healing tools available today. A quantum leap beyond the popular, but unreliable, crystal healing, the book includes

* Quick Reference Guide

* a 30-page chart listing 300 conditions and the recommended gemstone necklaces

* Step-by-step, illustrated instructions for performing 27 gemstone sphere therapies

* Guide to Care and Cleansing of Therapeutic Gems

* 30 full-color photographs and dozens of illustrations ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Not for the serious student of gemstone qualities...
The information contained in Katz's books is inadequate to say the least. You would be better served by another book, possibly those by Katrina Raphaell...or Melody...or HEALING CRYSTALS AND GEMSTONES: FROM AMETHYST TO ZIRCON by Peschek-Bohmer, Schreiber, & Dausien. At least the preceding authors do not seem to have a hidden agenda.

Michael Katz's gemstone books seem to be marketing strategies to sell his bead necklaces. I cannot know his motivations, his heart, but appearances are against him. Don't take my word for it: Google and check it out for yourself.

Gemstone Bible
I Purchased this Gemstone Book for my Friends Birthday and she loved it, again thanks for being their Amazon, when i couldnt get out and about !!!!

Gemstone Therapy
An excellent book, highly, highly recommended.There's so much we don't know!This book helps shed some light on the unlikely use of stones as medicine.How cool and weird is that.I've tried it for the last couple of years, and it's shocking how effective they are.

I am a layperson, not a gemstone or energy healer, but have always had a great enjoyment of the minerals of our earth.This book, and others from Michael Katz, have been eye opening and enlightening in my learning of the valuable medicinal work the gemstones can provide.

One of the reviewers below complained about the fact that not all the gemstones of the world are listed in this book. For that, there are Crystal Bibles, and indexes, and Melody books etc. Go there if you need to know about them all. This book is not meant to list all the gemstones there are, and doesn't profess to be an encylopedia of minerals. The gemstones, earthstones, riverstones, and oceanstones written about in this book are ones that have been specifically geared and guided to us as the most useful at this time.The gemstones listed in this book have the ability to give us the greatest amount of assistance at this point in our history.And they do.

Read the book if you are interested in the magic that lies within you, and a gemstone's ability to assist you on your path.This book is really for people who would like to grow spiritually, and to grow on their path of healing the physical, emotional and mental bodies.If you want to increase your consciousness, if you want to heal, if you want to become more aware of and help to enlighten and vitalize your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies, you will find much of use in this book. When you use the gemstones by applying the wisdom in this book, you will be surprised and amazed that gemstones have the ability to assist us in changing conditions within ourselves. A+++++!!!
Smiles, Chris Fine

Very incomplete information - not for the serious energy medicine practitioner
I was dissapointed with this book.It lacks ANY information about many common gems, including jade, obsidian, black tourmaline, moonstone, etc. This is a "glossy" book designed to attract the new age crowd who may just have a passing interest and want a VERY basic introduction.However, for anyone who is serious about gem and energy medicine, especially naturopaths or others interested in making gem elixers, I would NOT recommend this book.It simply lacks enough complete information.

One of the best resources for Energy Medicine
Michael Katz really topped himself with Gemstone Energy Medicine.This immense volume of information is full of detailed applications and treatments using therapeutic gemstones.

Anyone who considers himself a student or practitioner of energy therapies should own a copy of Gemstone Energy Medicine.I consider it an essential textbook in any library of energy therapy books.Students and practitioners of all levels will easily find the help they need to learn and apply therapeutic gemstone interventions.I refer to it frequently to make the most of the therapeutic gemstones that I own.

One of the beauties of Gemstone Energy Medicine is the manner in which it is written and organized.The reader and user of gemstones can easily find which gems and gem therapies will most benefit numerous conditions.

This and Katz's other book, Wisdom of the Gemstone Guardians, are exceptionally valuable in explaining the power and use of therapeutic gemstones, some of the most powerful energy healing tools available.

... Read more

Book Description
This handbook includes more than 600 stunning color photographs showing rocks, minerals, and gems from all over the world. Each specimen is described in detail: its origin and structure, chemical composition, hardness, color, and other properties. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Wonderful resource
This book was so good as a resource that our daughter wanted a second one...she is in the jewelry business and uses it as a great reference book.It contains great detailed photos of the gem stones, natural and cut, where they are mined and a bit of history with each, also.

A reviewers are not equal
After reading a negative review on these pages at the advice of the reviewer I bought the Cambridge book he recommended. That was a mistake. Whereas the Cambridge book is a good reference book with lots of technical info and good photographs, it has not one photograph of rock in the field - precisely what I need. I've since purchased Schumann's Hand Book and I like it considerably more. The Cambridge book will sit on my shelf, Schuman's will get out in the field and serve me well.

This book is a waste of money, it is very poor
I have actually reviewed this book for publication but the journal's policy is to not use negative reviews so it never appeared.It is difficult in just 1,000 words to summarize my review but I will say thatthe book is loaded with technical deficiencies, flat-out errors andinconsistencies that make it a very poor reference work.Furthermore, itwas translated by someone who knew nothing of minerals so the errorsintroduced by the translator are monumental, hundreds!There are termsdevised by the translator that mean nothing to English readers and don'tappear in any other mineral/gem book of any kind!

A truly bad look, yetit enjoys good sales because the public is so ill-informed aboutmineralogy.

Fine coffee-table book with great color photographs.
Originally published in German in 1985, this paperback is full of wonderful color photographs.Many specimens are from Germany or from other parts of Europe, and anyone wanting to view such specimens, but cannot travel to a museum in Europe, is advised to get this book as it would be an easier trip.

The text is non-technical, written for the layman with brief descriptions of the minerals, and is not to be used as an identification guide (as indeed some definitions are imprecise; e.g. the definition of a mineral), but is an interesting book and would make a fine coffee-table book for those interested in minerals (and in rocks, as half the book is devoted to rocks), with beautiful photographs.It might also make an introduction to the subject for friends of mineralogists who enjoy the beauty of minerals. ... Read more

Book Description
An innovative and holistic approach that combines the healing powers of gemstones with reflexology therapy

Presents a synergistic therapy that can help numerous mental and physical disorders

Includes illustrated instructions for determining the specific needs of a disorder and how to apply the therapy

Combining the healing energy of crystals and reflexology therapy, Gemstone Reflexology offers a holistic approach to triggering the bodys self-healing energies to deal with a large number of mental and physical disorders, ranging from hear­tache to heart disease. The treatment is based on using eight gemstone wands--agate, amethyst, fluorite, heliotrope, rock crystal, rose quartz, rutilated quartz, and sodalite--that allow users to direct the healing power of the crystals to activate designated pressure points.

Every gemstone has specific healing properties. When crafted into wands, these gems enable the patient to apply the perfect amount of pressure on the appropriate acupressure point. The energies of the crystal combine with the energies released by the pressure on the reflexology point to produce a powerful force for healing. Readers are provided a system of kinetic analysis to determine the appropriate stone and pressure point for their specific condition. Sodalite, for example, has a beneficial effect on mental health, which is increased when applied to the pressure points corresponding to the head; agate helps in the treatment of skin disorders; and amethyst restores vigor. The book contains illustrated instructions that show the treatment areas for a wide range of conditions, including earaches, headaches and migraines, back and joint pain, colds and flu, low blood pressure, intestinal cramps, cardiovascular disease, and depression.
... Read more

Product Description
This exhaustive resource lists crystals that can be used to assist with a variety of emotional and physical issues, as well as those that can enhance your inner self and help to improve your life.You will also find articles on the major Chakras and how crystals influence them. Other articles will show you how to use your own intuition to shop for and then store, recharge, cleanse and protect your healing crystals. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

THIS is the book I've been looking for!
I recently started collecting crystals, and now have accrued 17 books on them.I keep ordering them off Amazon (sight unseen) and have been disappointed in most of them.I use Melody's faithfully, but I have been looking for one that had listings.For different things, and which crystals to use for them.She has 3 sections, one for physical problems, one for emotional uses, and one for higher self, and under each one is listed various things with the crystals used for each thing.You don't have to read through a lot of garbage to find which crystals are used, and that is EXACTLY what I've been looking for!(This is not a picture book.The space is used for information.It is beautifully laid out and easy to read (even for aging eyes).)

She also has a great, concise section on the chakras, on cleaning and storing crystals, and on the dangers of certain crystals in elixirs (a listing) as well as which ones shouldn't be handled due to toxicity.

I am going to buy several more, so that I will have one wherever I need it.I wanted to catalog information because I couldn't find it anywhere in a book, and now I don't have to! Kristi did it for me!Thank you so much, Kristi! This book is a gift and a blessing!

Extremely well organised
This book offers a compendium of minerals that is broken down into categories within larger groupings of physical, emotional, and spiritual associations. The stones are listed under headings, much like Judy Hall's Crystal Prescriptions, only with greater organisation. Additionally are some great essays included as appendices to the main body of the work. Kristi is fabulous ar what she does, and this book is a handy reference. It lends itself well to new students and old pros, and it can be used in the construction of grids, elixirs, amulets, talismans, layouts for the body, and any other application.

Enjoy this one!

An Excellent resource.
Kristi Huggins is truly a gifted soul.This book is a quick reference guide matching various symptoms/issues/emotions with gemstones that have related metaphysical properties.

Since it appears as though this book is no longer available through Amazon, you can find it on Kristi's site, Moon Cave Crystals. ... Read more

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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

Wonderful Wealth of Knowledge
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
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
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
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
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. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (23)

Definitely among the best
This is the best book for gemstone I ever have.It's very detail and compact information without too much bla... bla... bla...

Gemstones of the World
A great travel guide for those buying/looking at gemstones, lots of visual id's...well worth price.

Professor of Gemology aka Jasper
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.

Outstanding Reference!!!
I use this book constantly as a reference in my hobby.It not only has complete descriptions of the gemstones, but the color pictures are marvelous and include not just one, but MANY pictuers of the gemstones in the rough, polished and cut states.You will be glad you purchased this book.

What the others did not say...
I am going to leave out any helpful information given by the previous reviews, and say what impressed me most about this fantastic little guide. Its size is perfect, the hardback made me happy because it arrived just after another field guide (petersons) which fell apart, losing pages when I first looked into it, and this book looks like it will endure for some time, so yeah! for quality of workmanship, and there are layers and layers of information in this referance.

While scanning it I found on page 142 a very quick yet in-depth study of Layered Stones, and I will say that I was very interested to see the way a(true) cameo was formed and that cameos were once (perhaps still) fashioned from a stone of this sort, such as an agate, and that the base layer of a cameo is dyed while the uppermost portion is left without dye resulting in the two tone effect rather than the stone being two differing stones. What a pleasent surprise! So, you would not need to worry of losing the carved portion from just such a piece, because they were made from the same stone. There is on the opposite page a pictoral step by step illustration of the craft in photos. Also the creation of a cameo is explained so neatly at the bottom caption of this page, in 9 easy steps.

Other things to referance on the same page: Layer Stones, Onyx, Sard onyx, Cornelian onyx, Niccolo,& Intaglio.

I will try to add some pictures for you all, later on, from my books, (the ones I review) on stones gems and fossils. See my other reviews for additional great book referances.

This book has the most information thus far where mining is concerned. Very helpful to me,as I do not always know which way to go with the ethical issues on mining, anyway... and still I am curious about various methods and their effects on the environment. But I love what we bring forth from these fissures and landscapes.
This guide is just so loaded with illustrations! There are so many wonderful pictures, some of people doing their mining work and also with those who cut polish and that sort of thing (drill, color, engrave, polish) nice added touch.

Healing is included in a small section near the end of this guide book as well. Since this is one of my particular interests I was happy to see it.

And so from drilling to healing this guide is quite complete.
There seems to be a page of pictures of stones (mostly faceted and ready for jewelry) for every written page. Left side, the writing, and right side, gorgeous pictures... of lots of stones! This seems to be the basic layout.

I am relishing each and every page of this book! I could go on but someone else will so... remember to see my other reviews for a few more gemstone books that are just really excellant, if you are at all into this sort of thing. I just love these kinds of books.

If I had waited, having had this book longer I wouldonly have more great things to say, of this I am sure, I just could not wait to add a good review! I highly suggest this book!
... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

The perfect reference!
If you like beads, stones and you like to know the meaning and the properties that they have, this book is great to have a refrence. I just love it! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (7)

Healing Crystals
I think this is an average reading book. For the beginner this would be an excellent start. Not advanced enough for me.

A great little guide
This is another wonderful book from one of my favourite authors on crystals. Each entry is clear and concise and includes a small photograph. Information regarding the general composition, formation type, crystal system, and Berzelian grouping are included and may be expanded upon by using this book as an extension of his other work (Crystal Power, Crystal Healing).

Many diverse minerals and rocks are included, as well as many different morphologies of the quartz crystal. This is a lovely shopping guide, especially since it includes a small checkbox for marking those pieces which are part of your collection. As always, Gienger includes the most traditional stones, as well as those which are much more exotic and interesting. In addition to all of the mineralogical and spiritual values of the stones, Gienger also approximates a current availability of each entry (i.e.: common, readily available, not readily available, scarce, rare, etc.).

Desarae j
A handy little book covering most of the crystals. Does not provide much detailed information, but useful to take with you when crystal shopping.

Healing crystals , review
This book is extremely helpful in helping me identify the stones and crystals I am looking for. Very good for beginners as well as experts

Strongly recommended pocket guide
This is one I'm recommending to all my attuned friends: more stones included than in even "The Crystal Bible" (J. Hall) in an even smaller format for easy transport to shops and shows.Very little is lost in the German to English translation, and this book includes clear color photo illustrations.There is information about specific agate markings I haven't found in any of the many other crystal healing books I have reviewed.The only drawbacks to this book are that it does not go into the detail that "Bible" and others do and it does not include information about how to use the stones therapeutically, but this is not the point of the book.The book is an excellent, extensive photo reference with space for the reader to indicate which stones have been collected, not a textbook on healing with stones.It is a worthwhile addition to your library on crystal healing. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the award-winning account of the author's conversations with the Gemstone Guardians - the inner-world beings responsible for fulfilling the purpose and maintaining the effects of gemstones everywhere.In 30 fascinating interviews, the Guardians herald a new field of energy medicine - one that uses the life force emanated by gemstone spheres to heal, nourish, and illuminate all aspects of our lives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Utterly reprehensible marketing strategy...
I am incredibly disappointed in this author's gemstone books. His entire agenda is to sell his bead necklaces! I went to his "Gemisphere" website and checked out some of the claims, testimonials, and more to the point, prices of these supposedly indispensable necklaces. I am mortified. There were claims about the healing of diseases which no reputable person would make. (It reminds me of all the hoopla surrounding moldavite).

There may be something to "gemstone healing." I would like to believe there is, but don't know. Even if there is, the information contained in a book about it should be enlightening to readers, not a marketing strategy. I would say the same about a beauty or diet book from whose author you had to buy creams or food, or a sports book from whose author you had to buy shoes! It's ridiculous and gives massive support to distrust of "new age" claims.

Don't take my word for this: Google it for yourself and see. But whatever you do, look for another book on gemstone healing, one whose author is more interested in your well-being than in his bank balance.

Rule #1: Never buy a book Larry King endorses.
I bought this book since it has a chapter on building a crystal pharmacy. Little did I know that the author was referring to himself and reveals nothing to the reader as to how he/she should go about it with the exception of 'buy my line of presumably overpriced, crystal necklaces'. The author has written this book as a pretense to sell you his product line of necklaces and I RESENT IT. Here are two examples: the book comes with a postcard inserted in it to order the author's catalog and on pg 287 (I paraphrase) 'Anyone fortunate enough to own a strand of Lapis Lazuli spheres are really lucky to own such a wonderful tool.' The author 'talks' to the 'guardians of each crystal and they have explained to him what their powers are and how to construct these special necklaces that only he knows now how to do properly. But lucky for the reader, he can sell them to you...Blah, blah, blah, This book will end up in the next garage sale. If I had seen the Larry King endorsement on the front cover I would have known to stay away, far, far away but I didn't. Oh, well. Unfortunately, I bought Michael Katz's Energy Medicine book too. I haven't looked or read it yet but I wouldn't be surprised if it were written to sell me on necklaces or something else too since it came with the catalog postcard in it as well. I recommend people stay away from Katz books. He can't be trusted -- he has an agenda.

Great information
I like the form and the format of this book.It gives great insights as to why we should wear gemstones and the significance to us on this planet at this time.It's more current and up to date then other books and it is channeled information.

Unique Look at Gemstone Healing, With Other Stuff/Fluff Along the Way,
I'll admit, I only bought this book because of the statement on the cover by Larry King, which said: "What a remarkable study. You won't put it down!" Being a huge gemstone buff, and somebody who does gemstone healing, I had to read the book that came so highly recommended by just about the most unlikely of sources out there.

I think I got halfway through the chapter "The Assignment is Given" (the first chapter), when I decided to interpret and read this book as if it were a book that gives interesting uses and techniques to gemstone healing and gemstones themselves, wrapped up in an elaborate fictional story. That's not to say I think the author made up what he's writing, as I do genuinely believe that what he writes is what was seen and experienced by his medium (a woman who actually enters the auras of the Gemstone Guardians and acts as a vessel). However, some aspects of these interviews and some of the explanations given for various things are so fantastic or out of reason and logical thought, even contradictory to what's already been written and probably experienced by many people, not to mention heard to reconcile for some with personal beliefs in terms of spirituality, that the only way to process what is being read is to think of it all as a back story to introduce some new, unique, and interesting theories on healing with gemstones.

Overall, I think the book is interesting and worth reading for those that are looking for new ways of using gemstones, presented in a format that is unconventional, and not like any other "how to" gemstone healing book out there (though some of the information was familiar to me already through my work as a Reiki healer, such as the layers of the aura/ astral bodies). The accounts for the meetings were fascinating and, even though certain aspects of the interviews and the information that was shared by the Guardians was bizarre to say the least (such as descriptions of alien beings planting crystals from space ships and the "gemstone wars" that ensued with some mythological entities so as to harness power), I still got a lot of great information that I plan on implementing into my practice of gemstone healing. Not all of it I agreed with or believed... Call it an unnatural hang-up of mine, but even with the faith I have in my own spirituality and the power of gemstones, there were several things said that, because of their outright conflict with scientific theory (and their far-fetched nature), there was some stuff I just couldn't palate... Such as the claims that the black flecks in Emerald were from ancient negativity absorbed in the crystal and neutralized, and that the earth is not millions of years old... But the book is not really written in a way that makes you feel like you HAVE to accept the accounts of the Guardians verbatim to use the crystals in the ways they suggest, or that you can't adapt the information to your own personal uses and needs.

I really had only three major issues with this book:

1. This book deals with only using crystals and gemstones in sphere form for healing, and the use of clusters, points, and such is very much discouraged. There was a lot of talk of using gemstone beads and necklaces, and larger gemstone spheres to alter the energy of the environment around us, but it was very strongly suggested that non-sphere shaped crystals and gemstones were not of the same power and energy as the clusters. At one point, I think it was in the discussions they had with the Guardian of Quartz, where it was actually suggested that non-sphere crystals should be "returned to the earth" as they had the potential to be destructive and should not be used. This is something that my own experience, and the experiences of many I'm sure, directly contradicts. I think that gemstone and crystal's latent energy is not necessarily dictated by its shape and size, and I don't think that spheres are stronger than anything else. I think that piece of information will be hard to process for many a healer who's had experience the opposite of what they state.

2. The Guardian of Emerald, the Guardian of Amethyst, and the Guardian of Ruby stated, as did others, that the more "gemmy" a stone was, the rarer, clearer, and conversely, the most expensive cuts of stone had more healing power than the occluded, non-gem quality stones. Another grain of information I think many healers, myself included, find to be untrue and somewhat irritating. Especially since the tip to run out and buy high-quality, non-black flecked, green Emerald beads because they're a key for your healing toolbox is not a helpful tip for those who can't afford to put thousands of dollars into gemstone healing. Again, I think the experiences of those healers who have not had the means to buy the best of stones for healing, yet still manage to be fantastic healers, goes a long way to speaking that this information is not entirely true, and reinforces more of the idea that "expensive = better" not "best energy regardless of appearance = better." As we all know, doctors with state-of-the-art, expensive tools and materials aren't always better or more adept than the ones with less, so why would somebody reinforce the same with gemstone healing?

I'll admit, these first two themes were reinforced so often and with such inflexibility (the only thing about what was in these books in terms of crystal application that I thought was completely rigid and inflexible in the eyes of the author) and it was a frequent irritation for me. If you happen to agree with these two stances, or are neutral on the subject, maybe it'll be less of an irritation for you than it was for me. But after awhile, I just wanted to say "ENOUGH ALREADY!"

3. There were a couple of times where the book kind of went off on what I suspect were personal or pet issues of the author and the vessel, and it seemed more like political statements than the genuine revelation of a Gemstone Guardian. For example, during the discussion with the Guardian of Rhodochrosite, there was a rather long tangent (initiated by the author who asked questions on the topic) about toxic waste dumps, how it was to the planet like drugs are to human beings, and how to get people to stop harming the earth through toxic waste dumps. A tangent I found odd, since Rhodochrosite was theoretically to cure emotional patterns that were destructive and increase emotional and personal knowledge. In fact, it was even said at one point that the Guardian was on a tangent, which made the whole thing look and read even odder. I guess I didn't get why, if one is communing with the Gemstone Guardian of emotional issues, why you'd bring up questions about toxic waste dumps. For that matter, there were several questions asked by the author that I thought to myself "You're talking to this great entity, and you're asking *that?*" Such as the author asking a question of a Gemstone Guardian (Purple Rainbow Fluorite) that was already completely and satisfactorily answered by the Gemstone Guardian of Quartz. Truthfully, there was at times a great deal of redundancy in what was being said by the Guardians and what was being asked by the author.

But perhaps that's my personal perception and irritation, and we all have our own questions we'd ask if we were faced with such beings, and the questions others ask are never as satisfying as the ones you'd ask yourselves. :)

I'm glad I read this book, and I do think it was incredibly interesting, though certainly this book isn't for everybody. I wouldn't dream of suggesting this book to somebody who's new to the concept of crystal healing, or somebody who hasn't gotten their techniques and beliefs down pat first. This is not a book for b