Book Description
The hottest new look in fashion jewelry is all about gemstones andpearls. Now readers can createright at home their own unique versions of the stylishlooks they see on models and in magazines. Using simple, accessible techniques andeasily assembled supplies, Making Designer Gemstone and Pearl Jewelry shows how tomake chokers, lariats, bracelets, earrings, and more in a variety of styles, from classic tomodern to funky. Whether the desired look is simple and elegant or ornate and chunky,the creative process is easy and fun, and the results are spectacular. The book also offersinformation on the healing powers of gemstones turquoise for serenity and positivethinking, amber for romance and love to help readers imbue their designs with personalmeaning. For anyone who loves jewelry, even if they've never strung a bead or twisted awire, this unique guide will inspire readers to make beautiful, stylish accessories to keepor to give as gifts.

Tammy Powley is a jeweler, teacher, and writer. She is the host and manager ofAbout.com's jewelry-making Web site, where she has regular columns. She is a frequentcontributor to Jewelry Crafts magazine. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A great book and reference
Great book!Simple to follow and the instructions are clear.It also allows for your own creativity to design and make future pieces.The illustrations are also very attractive and as a beginner I found the designs very encouraging and achievable to work toward.I think for the advanced, this book will be a great reference as well.

Good beginner book
For someone with little or no experience making beaded jewelry, this book is an excellent guide to making beautiful jewelry in some of the most trendy styles.All of the projects require 2 basic skills - stringing and the ability to twist a wire loop.If you have these skills, or can learn them from the detailed pictures and instructions, then you will be able to use this book. ... Read more

Book Description
This is the most comprehensive guide to the chemical and subtle nature of gemstones and their use throughout history. Johari includes detailed instructions for the creation of gem talismans and the rituals surrounding the use of gems to obtain desired effects. He also uses Hindu astrology to explain the gems you should wear to maximize your physical and psychological well-being. 

New edition of a popular classic. 

This is the first book in this subject area to draw on the ancient Hindu sciences of Tantra, Ayurvedic medicine, and astrology, as well as on the author's own family tradition of gemology. 

Customer Reviews (1)

A gem of a book!
This is a guide to optimising physical and psychological well-being through the use of gemstones, with reference to the disciplines of Tantra an Ayurveda. The author discusses how Indian astrologers, Ayurvedic healers and Tantric alchemists use gems in their practices and provides clear instructions for the creation of gemstone talismans and the performanc of rituals involving gems to bring about desired effects. The book serves as both a practical guide to the subtle nature of gemstones and as an overview of their use through the ages. The introduction looks at gemstones and the human race and gems and astrology, while Part 2 deals with particular stones and their ruling planets: ruby, pearl, coral, emerald, yellow sapphire, diamond, blue sapphire, hessonite and cat's eye. There is also a chapter on semi-precious stones and gems of medicinal value plus one devoted to healing with gemstones. It was interesting to learn that gems work with both Physicochemical and Pranic energy, whether the are worn as jewelry or taken orally in the form of pastes or oxides. Beautiful illustrations, Sanskrit script and figures enliven the text and there are many tables and astrological charts. ... Read more

Book Description
Utilizing new information and expert journalistic tactics, Thomas and Childress offer a fresh analysis of this notorious document that cloaked the richest of the rich and the most powerful men in the world in the shroud of conspiracy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

James Bond and Bruce Roberts: Better Together!
Ian Fleming was an agent for British Intelligence; Bruce Roberts wrote "diaries" exposing the secret history of the 20th Century. Kidnapping, murder, espionage, money, power--who needs fiction when the truth is so startling?

Gemstone File History
As the author of "A Skeleton Key to the Gemstone File" in 1975, on which all of the books and references to the Gemstone File have been based, I have watched with amazement how my brief summary of Bruce Porter Roberts' work has been circulated worldwide and written about by others. Six books that I know about have appeared so far. But the first book to be published which will contain a significant amount of the original Gemstone File papers will be my own: The Gemstone File: A Memoir." "Inside the Gemstone File" contains some excellent information about the relationship between Bruce Roberts' writing and Ian Fleming's James Bond novels and movies. It, together with Gerald Carroll's book, "Project Seek," provide valuable supplemental information and background regarding the Gemstone File.

Find the original documents!
The only way to know if the 350-1000 handwritten pages of Bruce Porter Roberts, given the name of the Gemstone File could be used to arrest and convict the killers of John F. Kennedy is to find them, read them, anddetermine where the information came from and how reliable it is.

Untilthe original documents are released, there is no way to know where theinformation came from or how reliable it is.

This is the fourth book onthe subject so far, and the obvious behavior to engage in is not beingfollowed!

Great Connections, Thoughtful, and Amazing!
If you want to read an enjoyable, indepth look at the possible truths behind the James Bond books and films, pick up this brand new book.Chapter Seven is a classic, truly a good, fun read thatgives indepth dataon what Ian Fleming had in mind regarding Bond and his villians. There'sconvincing evidence that the supervillian Blofeld probably was based on thereallife Aristotle Onassis.The linkages are intriguing too, such as themysterious Area 51-type location, the Hughes-clone, the Onassis-clone, theoil industry thatare evident in the 1972 Bond film based on Fleming's*Diamonds are Forever*.I'll stop there, other than to mention that rightbefore Ian Flemingmysteriously died, he had apparently made arrangements tofly up to NewJersey to talk to his old British intelligence service buddy,Ivan T.Sanderson, according to this book.And that's just the tip of theiceberg.There's more history in this one book than in ten historytextbooks you'll find in your local school!Highly recommended. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

although the rest are very fine, this is still the best
It is a real shame that this book is presently out-of-print, I borrowed it from the local library some 5 years ago, and to this date have yet to see anything better in this genre. The technical data about precious stones -such as dispersion, types of refraction, specific gravity, types ofcutting, and so on - are well covered, with specific commentaries onindividual stones presented in encyclopaedic format. It's very useful notonly for specific reference but just for general browsing.What sets thisbook apart, on the other hand, is the quality and quantity of the gemphotography. There are pictures of every major and minor gem in the world,and where a particular type of stone has more than one color - or colors -the entire suite of colors is presented. So the garnets, sapphires,diamonds, tourmalines, topazes, beryls (just to name a few) look positivelykaleidoscopic.The opal section alone has some magnificent stones,including top-quality Lightning Ridge black, one of which is photographedfrom different directions to demonstrate the superb color play. The zirconand spinel photography is quite impressive too.

This book is emphaticallynot for the investor or speculator who is looking for advice, and noattempts at valuation are made. On the other hand, for readers interestedin specific gemmological research or (esoteric) appreciation, this bookwill be ideal. The level of scholarship is impeccable, and the book is notoverwhelmingly technical or difficult. It is not cheap but is worth everypenny. Most strongly recommended.

A superb reference book of colored gemstones!
Outstanding color photographs to review, that are matched to technical data regarding the various gemstone "families". There is a very fine topic governing "colors" of gemstones as well. Joel Arem has done a very fine job! ... Read more

Book Description
This unique approach to wellness with crystals contains Daya Sarai Chocron's trademark methods including pain-relief prisms, cranial crystals, and mandala-stone patterns for increasing vitality.From curing a headache to helping the heart and other organs to overcoming arthritis and other bone-related issues, this remarkable book contains essential information for a healthier and happier life.

Chocron explains in clear terms the theory behind how gems and stones heal by interacting electromagnetically with the body.She also teaches us how to get in tune with and work with the etheric body, the subtle life force that sustains the physical body and serves as the matrix for the metabolic functions.Illness, she teaches,beginning with misalignment of either the etheric body or physical body can result in a domino effect of maladies.Imbalance in the etheric body can cause low energy depression; stress-related diseases such as shingles, ulcers, and migraines; and any number of other serious physical problems. Learn to work with crystals, gems, and the chakras to make sure everything is in proper alignment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Easy for a beginner
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.
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 .
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 ... Read more

Book Description
Reference for those in the jewelry trade who need to estimate weights of gemstones set in jewelry.Includes formulas to estimate weights of 75 shapes of gemstones of all varieties, as well as easy-to-use tables for most of the common shapes.It has become the industry standard. ... Read more

Book Description
The story of the Grail, usually identified as some kind of mystical vessel, has gripped the imaginations of millions since it first appeared in several medieval romances. Of these, Wolfram von Eschenbach's Middle High German Parzival (c. 1210) is generally recognized as the most complex and beautiful. Strangely, in Parzival, the Grail is identified as a stone rather than a cup or dish. This oddity is usually seen as just another mystery, further evidence of the difficulty of discerning the true sources of the Grail legend. In this groundbreaking study, G. Ronald Murphy seeks to illuminate this mystery and to enable a far better appreciation of Wolfram's insight into the nature of the Grail and its relationship to the Crusades. The Grail, container of the sacred body and blood of Christ, Wolfram was saying, was where God said it would be: on the altar at the consecration of the Mass. Wolfram's "sacred stone" was none other than a consecrated altar, precious by virtue of the sacrament but also, Murphy argues, by virtue of the material from which it was made: a green gem, one of the precious stones associated with the rivers of Paradise.Murphy explores what it signifies for the Grail to be a translucent gemstone and an altar made portable only by a woman. Wolfram's stone is a sacramental reference to the stone the Crusaders fought to obtain - the Holy Sepulchre. Parzival, Murphy believes, was intended as an argument against continued efforts by Latin Christians to recover the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem by force of arms. In Wolfram's story, warring Christian and Muslim brothers are brought together in peace by the power of Wolfram's Holy Grail--a stone Murphy believes still exists.Murphy's investigation of the spiritual nature and meaning of the Grail is thus accompanied by his quest for and wondrous discovery of the actual altar stone that inspired Wolfram's work. Offering an entirely original reading of Wolfram's famous text, this engrossing and accessible book appeals not only to scholars and students of medieval literature but to anyone who is drawn to the lasting mystery of the Holy Grail. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Paradise found?
Oxford University Press sure missed a trick in marketing this superb book. I only found out about it months after publication, when I chanced on a review in The Tablet. But if the OUP publicity people had done their job properly every newspaper and newscaster in the Western world would have bellowed "Jesuit finds the Holy Grail!"

Which said, you can forget airport ephemera like The Da Vinci Code and The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail - Fr Murphy is Professor of German at Georgetown University, and this is a serious, scholarly work, which is also immensely readable, not to say thrilling, particularly when it comes to the role that gemstones have played in the Bible and Christian thought and indeed in Parzival.

Did Fr. Murphy persuade me that the principal inspiration for Wolfram's Grail was a portable Paradise altar? Yes he did. Did he persuade me that the specific inspiration was the Bamberg Paradise Altar? Not quite. Because that is a kefse, a wooden box, with enamel plates, and a green altar stone set in the top of the box. Whereas Wolfram tells us that his Grail is a stone. Just that. He does use the word kefse in other contexts, but never when describing the Grail itself. Which makes me think Fr Murphy is too hasty in dismissing the one other surviving portable Paradise altar, the simple flat stone in Brussels. This is brownish-beige, and not the green Fr Murphy argues Wolfram must have had in mind - but then Wolfram never tells us what colour his Grail stone is. So maybe Wolfram's Grail was really inspired by the Brussels altar stone, or a similar one which has not survived.

Buy this wonderful book and see if you agree with me or the Jesuit...
... Read more

Book Description
Dunwich's Guide to Gemstone Sorcery is a practical and comprehensive guide to the magickal world of precious and semi-precious stones. Written by a modern Witch with firsthand knowledge of the occult properties of stones, this book is filled with numerous spells and rituals, enchanting Pagan folklore, and useful magickal correspondences. It also explores gemstone curses and cures, and the many ways in which gemstones can be utilized as amulets for magickal workings, as oracles for revealing the future, and as tools for healing one's body, mind, and spirit.With the aid of this book, you will learn how to properly cleanse and charge stones, and also how to make homemade gemstone elixirs. You will discover the secrets of using stones to increase your wealth, facilitate clairvoyant abilities, invoke deities, ward off bad luck and evil influences, draw love into your life, and so much more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

I'm pleased..
Well, when I got the book I quickly jumped right into it. The beginning of the book was all about herself pretty much, stating how she got her first stone and blah blah blah. I liked the information about cleansing and preparing, but she missed a few stones that are my strong stones. Like tigers-eye, and hemetite. This is a good reference book for your library, but I would def get another one, that lists ALL the stones.

Not the best, nor the worst
For a concise guide, I was still anticipating something more than this. It is great for beginners, and it has a Pagan view to working with stones. Thus, it definitely adds more folklore to the mix. This book discusses some of the famous 'cursed' stones, amuletic magick, and elixirs. Perhaps the best reason to add it to one's collection (if not the only one) is to use it for all of the tables of correspondences.

This is a good book to keep around for a quick reference guide or for constructing spells based upon stone magick. The tables are very useful, though there are other books with more comprehensive sections than this.

Capitalizing On The Term: "Sorcery"
Yet another typical fluffy bunny book masquerading as something sinister. That's chic nowadays. What garbage. She's a lovely lady, I met her at a festival once and briefly chatted with her, but her books suck eggs. Sorry Gerina but that's true in my book.

Wanna learn real sorcery? Try Tarostar, Brujo Negro, Brother Moloch, Chuck Cosimano, or one of those guys. They're dark, mad and won't hold back the truth. Look up their books and see what you're missing.

Save your money. I traded this book away to some kid for some Pokemon cards for my kid's collection. Yeah it's that bad!

An Excellent Guide to Gemstones and Magick
This is one of the best books on gemstone magick ever published. It covers everything from gemstone amulets to elixirs, and has a comprehensive table of correspondences, which I found extremely useful. Unlike similar books by Melody and Cunningham, it covers both the light and the darker uses of stones, and is also full of spells and wonderful pagan folklore. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the magickal aspects of gemstones!

not what I was hoping for
I adore the world of the stone people and usualy buy anything and everything on the subject when I come across it. That was the case here, I bought without really looking and learned a lesson. I just do not understand this book. It really does seem like the author just wanted to put a book out about stones and compacted a bunch of information together between a cover. I am sad to say that this book should not be included in your collection. What a shame that trees have been killed to publish this! ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Love this book
Wonderful book with alot of info.Great photos that help to identify stones.Very well written. Will make a great book for my book collection.

Great Service
The book is in excellent shape! I was very impressed with the quality of the product I bought. I was also very impressed with the shipping time. It was here in no time. I will shop with this person and company again.

it's ok...but not the best
organizes by the primary color the crystals are found (some have different colrs/forms), so that's helpful; like that it give a brief historical description before telling you everything else.... tells you lots and almost every possible use of each crystal: divinatory, healing, around home/work, around kids, around animals/pets, protective function, psychic function, environmental, any special properties (if any), ways to recharge it, and even brief table of symbolic associations (plant/herb, zodiac, chakra, planet, element, etc) and a short table on the types there are and the colors that you can find
has good pictures
only problem is that it wasn't quite what i was hoping for....but luckily i bought two other crystal/gemstone books when i got this one just to have a better reference library;is good for a fast look up of something if your in a hurry; just a little too new age for my liking, but still a nice book to have.....only get this if you are really new age or you get it w/ another crystal/gemstone book (i'd go for either The Crystal Bible or Healing Crystals and Gemstones; i got these at same time and both are really nice; Crystal Bible is great size for if you want something when you travel and had a bit of everything... Healing Crystals has scientific info in it too: mohs hardness scale, composition, etc...)

wonderful book, plenty of info, beautifully illustrated
Brief introduction covers choosing your crystals, basics on chakras,meaning of colors, crystal healing, divination, crystal magic, cleansing and empowering, crystals at work / travel / home.
Directory of crystals is organized according to color (white, purple, blue, green, pink, yellow, red, brown, black).
Each crystal is illustrated with high quality photographs, and descriptions cover mythology, divinatory significance, uses and recharging methods, as well as a small table (for each crystal) containing info n properties and symbolic associations (zodiac, planet, element, candle color, guardian angel, chakra, herbs/incenses/oils and associated crystals).
If it contained info on where best stones come from and where they can be acquired, the book would have been a ten star, PERFECT. e.g. - as illustration for selenite, book features picture of wonderful selenite wands (with beautifully crafted crystal tips), and for the last 2 hours I have been searching the net, fishing blindly for something even remotely similar (would love to own one just like the one on the photo). There are no references to photographs / photographers, or to sources of stones featured in photos or any other clues as to where one can find stones and objects like the ones in the pictures. Grrr :(((

Excellent crystal guide book
This crystal book is a must have for those who use cyrstals in a healing practice or just have them around the home or office for protection, cleansing, or prosperity, etc.Cassandra clearly and thoroughly introduces the basics and more of using crystals as they apply to the chakra system, the aura, psychic development, pendulum dowsing, etc.Everything you need to know about the world of crystals is in this book!She explains 150 different crystals for healing, environment, children, history of, divinatory significance, uses at work and home and more! Each crystal description is accompanied by a clear, color picture for identification purposes.The book is sectioned by color of the stone which makes finding information on a particular stone easy.You need to know only the color of a stone and if you do not know the color the easy to read index in the back of the book is complete.I highly recommend this book to beginners and advanced healers alike.As a reference book it is invaluable! ... Read more

Book Description

A fully illustrated guide to gemstones

Customer Reviews (4)

Gem Identifications
This is a very small pocket size book, maybe 3"x4".It is a good book to carry with you when you go shopping for gemstones but with it being so small I don't like it.It is a very detailed book and a color for each precious gemstone but not enough information as the other books I reviewed.I think if they enlarged the book it would be easier to use.For a beginner I don't recommend this book for now but can be added to your reference library later.

really nice, comprehensive
For a book of this format and number of pages, covers amazing qty of infor on a large number of gemstones. Also includes very informative section on properties, currtting and polishing, real vs fake and a full page on resources for further reading and info. Pictures abound, color, high quality, beautiful. One of my favorite gem books.

In love with Gemstones!
The cover of "Gemstones" makes this a wonderful coffee table book. The book is filled with a color photo collection of cut and uncut stones, exquisite pieces of jewelry and exotic sculptures. Some photos show gems in their natural state and you will just be amazed at how they can be polished and cut to perfection.

An introduction entices you into reading about how gem minerals form, then the author delves into gemstones in history, why they are called gemstones, crystal structure, reflection and refraction, color and then cutting and polishing. Some stones are given special attention. There are full pages for diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, aquamarine, opal, amethyst, citrine, agate, jasper, tourmaline, topaz, peridot, zircon, garnet, chrysoberyl, spinel, jade, turquoise, lapis lazuli, moonstone, and labradorite stones.

Since attractive rocks and minerals have the potential for being any ornament, some softer materials are ideal for carving. There is a section that shows rare and curious gemstones I had never seen before. Who knew that fossilized wood could also be carved and polished. A two-page map shows where gem deposits are found. The country name is followed by the gems found in that region.

A grandmother may wear the birthstones of her grandchildren all in one ring or mothers may wear a necklace. One of the most beautiful rings I have seen had a diamond, emerald, amethyst and ruby and it secretly spells out "dear." I am in love with Moonstones for some reason. The clear ones are so amazing and can be worn as a necklace. They are said to be bits of moonbeams.

Here is a wonderful quote about Gemstones:

The rational person accepts that sapphire, September's birthstone, is an aluminum oxide crystal colored by traces of iron, titanium, vanadium, or chrome. But peering into the gem, you can just as well imagine, as did the ancient Persians, that it is a chip off the precious pedestal on which the earth balances, whose dancing reflections create the multifarious colors of the sky. They command your gaze. They escort you into the depths and facets of their crystalline and ordered universe. Gems-to-be are spewed from volcanoes and tossed up by ocean waves. Or they rest quietly in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rock, waiting to be unleashed by water, wind, or the pickax of a miner. -Suzanne Winckler

This book might encourage greed.

I only want one of each! Is that too much to ask for? ;)

Gemstones, a great book for beginners
In this book is explained the different kinds of stones, how they are cut, where to find them, collections, etc. A great book for a beginner to learn more about gemstones. Includes a beautiful pictures. Recommended! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

A nice book for beginners, but not very comprehensive
This book was actually sent to me by mistake. I ordered Stein's book on gem elixirs in order to pass it around during a workshop on the same topic.

The book is very concise and easy-to-use. It does cover a couple hundred stones, including a couple that are less common. However, beyond that, the scope of the book is quite limited. Stein has a love for the healing properties of minerals, but this book just does not convey all of what it could.

hot stones
the author forgot that lead crystal is useful for healing of hangovers...fill the crystal goblet with with the hair of the dog and, presto, no more hangover.and of course, putting a piece of granite over your friend's head will cure an achy toe, right after you drop the rock on his head...presto!achy toe forgotten!now, the most valuable one is so secret that I can't....well, just for all the nu wagers, rock hounds, crystal meth smokers and random wimdips....put a piece of rock salt (it is a crystal) under your tongue its guaranteed to do something....but I forget what!!!! AM SHANTY AM.(AM NOT!!!)

This book is going in my next garage sale.
This little book is 35 pages (pgs 7-42) of info on the cleansing & dedication of crystals, auras, chakras, and the Hara line. The other 110 pages (pgs 44-154) of the book are brief and poorly written descriptions (2 or 3 crystals per page) of some of the more common crystals with no pictures. Obviously, this book was written and compiled over a weekend. If I were the author I'd be embarrassed to have my name on the cover. Instead, buy the "Book of Stones" by Simmons and Ahsian to learn about the power of crystals. It is first rate. It has superb photographs and each author writes his and her own insightful description on each crystal giving two perspectives of the healing capabilities of the stone (I love how they did that -- super idea). Then, find a separate book on chakras you like written by someone more qualified than Diane Stein. I will never buy another one of her books.

This is pretty good, not great.
I got this book and The Crystal Bible at the same time and was a little disappointed in both. I had a book about twenty years ago that described exactly what color and shape crystal to get for a certain purpose and described how to project unconditional love at it and tell it to do what you want and these books do not mention anything like that. But let me tell you, I would give anything to find that old book again as the results produced were immediate and very dramatic.
With these books you are groping around on your own basically, without really knowing how to program them, except to "ask" them to help you in a certain way and if you feel they say "no", then "ask" them what they can do for you.
I have been struggling with this technique and it so far does not work.
I have used these stones to meditate with and do get some amazing insights, which are in keeping with the types of insights the authors mention. But with both of these books, the authors are just giving out the most general vague information on how to go about programming them. I know, from my old book on crystals, that the way I described really works and it is actually magic. These authors really leave it up to you to figure out what exactly to do. I have wasted hours now with their technique, trying to "ask" each of my stones what it can do for me, and have not gotten an answer.
The descriptions of what sort of vibration each type of stone has are very good and I actually like this book better that The Crystal Bible.
But the methods described are going to disappoint a lot of people.

Crystal & Gems for healing, spirit, & ascesion!
Diane Stein has gone deeper lately into healing, spirituality, and ascesion. I have always loved her Goddess spirituality books, but these are even better! Now when I shop for stones I can get more appropriate stones for healing, etc. Even though the book is small, it is worth its weight in gold! ... Read more

Book Description
If you love the beauty of gems but have trouble distinguishing a topaz from a sapphire, this book is for you. How can you make sure you are getting good value for your money? Just buy this book! Dan Dennis, the gem show host whose popularity with Home Shopping Network viewers nationwide has helped to fuel the recent explosion in the gem collecting market, offers a wealth of useful facts and fascinating lore about gems in this funny yet practical illustrated guide.

With the same passion and entertaining, informative style that has marked his television appearances over the past 15 years, Dennis covers in detail more than 100 different gems-from diamonds, pearls, and rubies to emeralds, jade, opals, and a host of less-familiar stones as well. The book describes the often surprising route a gem takes from rough stone to polished and set jewelry; lists birth and astral stones; and offers helpful tips on how to buy jewelry and how to care for your treasures once you do.

60 illustrations, 55 in full color, 8 x 10"

DANIEL J. DENNIS, JR., is a gemstone specialist and senior gem show host for the Home Shopping Network. Dennis, his wife Linda, and family reside in St. Petersburg, Florida. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Gems:A LIvely Guide...review
This book is just what the title says - the author uses some humor and information is aimed toward a casual collector rather than a scientist or a super-rich collector.Besides the usual information about the make-up of a gemstone, there is also comparisons of the gem if it is found in more than one location, a bit of history of the discovery of a gemstone, and even a bit of information about the beliefs in the health benefits of some stones.It is not absolutely a complete guide, but more than just an overview of the main gems such as diamonds, sapphires, etc.The photos are very good, although not all are labeled.

Very Informative
I very much enjoyed this book mostly because it is written in plain ordinary English for the average person.With all the internet shopping that is now available, it is advisable to know something about the various gems so you know what you're getting.
This book fills the bill perfectly!

This man romances the stones!
This man knows his gems and he has great stories behind each piece.He has great ways of romancing the stones like no one else.I get so excited hearing the little background stories he tells about each gem and the history behind the locations they come from.A great book by a renowned expert of gemology.I highly recommend this book.

What a pleasure!
I can't begin to say how wonderful this book is.Whether you are a layman or a professional, this is THE book to turn to.Not only is it highly informative, but it is written so well that you actually WANT to read it.Dan's sense of humor and his love for gems shines here.I wouldn't trade this book for anything.

Great Book!
This book is very insightful. If you want to know anything about gems - how to care for them, where they come from, etc. - this book is a must. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description
Healing with Crystals and Gemstones provides a unique approach to achieving wellness with crystals. It explains Daya Sarai Chocron's trademark methods for increasing vitality including pain-relief prisms, cranial crystals, and mandalstone patterns. From curing a headache and strengthening the heart and other organs to overcoming arthritis and similar bone-related issues, this remarkable book contains essential information for a healthier, happier life. Chocron explains how the stones interact electromagnetically with both the physical body and the etheric body - the subtle life force that sustains the physical body. The stones bring them into alignment and prevent or correct imbalances that can result in a domino effect of maladies - low energy, depression, stress-related diseases like shingles, ulcers, or migraines, and any number of other serious physical problems. By learning to work with crystals, gems, and the chakras, we can be proactive about keeping everything in proper alignment and stay healthy. Within this helpful resource, Chocron shares meditations, visualizations, exercises, and an extensive array of crystal-healing techniques, including information about many uncommon stones and methods discovered through years of hands-on healing practice. ... Read more

Book Description
The world standard is back by popular demand! This completely revised, updated and expanded version of Dr. Downing's 1992 Opal Identification and Value is a "must have" for all appraisers, opal buyers and opal lovers. Learn to properly identify opals from all over the world. Many new locations have been added along with new methodology to determine the characteristics that affect value, then determine price from updated value tables. Ascertain if the opal is a natural solid, boulder, doublet, triplet, dyed or lab-created. Be able to ask definitive questions when considering an opal. Learn what to look for in properly set jewelry. Become a confident buyer, seller or appraiser by distinguishing an ordinary opal from an outstanding one. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Effective guide to opal evaluation
Downing's Opal Identification & Value provides a descriptive overview of opals, though it is short on technical data or gemmological information.The book emphasizes criteria for determining opal values, and here it performs a great service, because it lays out sensible-sounding and user-friendly guidelines.This book gives the reader an independent way to access the value of the opals offered in the marketplace, and helps her to make wise choices.

Best on How to Price an Opal
Even if you never intend to buy an opal, this book has much to offer a opal enthusiast, or those wanting an in depth knowledge of this gem.Other books will talk about differences in opal colors.Paul Downing will teach you to appreciate an opal's hue, tone, clarity, saturation and intensity.Lots of color pictures, as good as any other opal book, gives you the full range of the varieties of opals.

If you want a book to help you tell if an opal, especially a black opal, is offered for sale at a good price, then this is the book for you.There really is no competition.Because the author is an opal lover, student of the opal, and a trained economist, he is uniquely qualified to develop and present a systematic way to appraise opals.Amateurs need not be worried, you can easily do a quick estimate based on the book's method.Although the prices given in the book were developed in 2002, I find that they are still a good guide.

Yes, the book is a little on the pricey side.If you are going to spend more than about $200 on an opal, I think that the book is worth it.I have bought a number of other opal books.I should have saved my money.This one is all you need. ... Read more

Product Description
The first comprehensive work to present both the outer and the inner wealth of 250 gemstones. Each gemstone is depicted in full color, with details of its chemical properties, sources throughout the world, healing powers, and appropriate fields of use. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Crystal coffee table book
I love the beauty of the pictures of the crystals out in natural locations.They are breath taking.The energy discriptions are short and to the point with the usual hardness and vibrational information.I greatly appreciate information regarding the misrepresentation of some stones as other more expesive or rare stone too.This book just plane feels good.There is a definate Christian spin to some of the energy discriptions.

very heartfelt...
but otherwise a little lacking.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it really comes from the heart and has themes that differ from other book that encompass this topic. The entire book contains very encouraging, spiritual messages, and many are of a very Christianized nature, which gives it distinction from the traditional books. Nothing is inherently exclusive, so the messages presented are very open to all people of all traditions.

The weaknesses that prevent this stone from getting a five star rating really lie in the incompleteness of the work. Many very unusual stones are discussed, and all but very few have pictures to accompany them, though most of the unusual stones have very little information regarding their uses. The book does a beautiful job of including so many different gemstones, but their origins and mineralogy are totally left out of this work. Locations from which they come and the chemical formulae are found with each page, but there is insufficient data concerning any other of the scientific aspects of these stones. Some things, like relative refractive indices or easily identifiable physical properties would make identification of cut gemstones so much easier.

This book is not unlike a textbook; it is a sturdy volume meant to be treasured like its subjects. I am sure you will enjoy this one!

Great Book!
This book is awesome! It tells all about crystals and what they do. It shows a great picture, composition, hardness, color,and the source! I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves gemstones and would like to learn about the effects that they have on people!

Excellent Book!
This book contained vast amounts of information on every gem topic there is. It helped me tremendously in learning about gems. It also saved me a lot of money when I went out and purchased a ruby bracelet for my mother and diamond ring for my wife. I probably saved at least a thousand dollarsjust from using the knowledge obtained from this book. It is a great bookand I recommend everyone buying it. It is a great investment! ... Read more

Book Description
Discover a wide range of Asia's gemstones
More than 85 beautiful color photographs and a color reference map
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

First time beginner
Book don't have so much information. It is indeed really for beginner. Do not cover so much of colourful gemstone range.Book discuss only few gemsgtone and giving a bit information regarding the country to find.Not interesting at all. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Good idea, not so good execution
The overall idea of the book is good, the photographs are nice, but the content is superficial. It lacks step by step instructions along with graphics that will show exactly what the author is talking about. It does not cover all the available techniques for beading in which the use of gemstones will create outstanding jewelry pieces. In other words, not worth the price.

Beading with Gemstones
Very nice.Not my style of work, but I will get some inspiration out of it, I am sure.

Simple, and elegant
I bought this book because the previous reviewer said it was mostly fine, pre-made chain and gemstones. There is no stringing at all in this book. The wire skills are the usual basics: tool, types of wire, how to make a loop, a wrapped loop and briolettes. Ms. MacCarthy also gives a second briolette wrapping technique. Also, there are tips on counting chain links before cutting. These tips and techniques are solid and well presented. Some of the projects use a jig but can be done without one.
The projects are beautiful, high quality designs. This is the type of jewelry I've seen in display windows selling for hundreds of $$$. The jewelry is contempory but the chain gives a timeless appeal and won't look dated in 5, 10 or 15 years. The inspiration is that one need not be a metalsmith or have lots of money to make high end, designer quality jewelry.

It's not in the Title
There is a lot of good information here and it is well presented. The illustrations are lovely, directions are generally clear, and the materials lists include the necessary information on what is needed to complete the project as it is illustrated. Most of the projects here give one a little creative license in using different colors of gems or other beads. However, what the sub-title states on the front cover--"beautiful jewelry, simple techniques" is misleading. This may well be the most important criticism of the entire volume--there is no variety of techniques used in creating any of these projects. The projects in this book are totally devoted to techniques using wire and chain. There is absolutely no deviation from the use of wire-working techniques throughout the entire book. The content is too shallow to support the premise of the title of this book, "Beading with Gemstones." Anyone wishing a comprehensive approach to working with gemstones will not find it here! ... Read more