Beginner's Guide to Gemmology

Beginner's Guide to Gemmology presents the profiles of the principal gem materials. This book discusses the interesting characteristics of gemstones as the growing consumer market jewelry resulted in increased sales of gem testing instruments.
Organized into 12 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the development of the science of gemmology. This text then explains the fundamental qualities necessary in a gem, including color, hardness, specific gravity, crystallography, refractive index, pleochroism, critical angle, luminescence, and absorption spectra. Other chapters consider the organic gem materials, including amber, ivory, coral, tortoiseshell, jet, ebony, and pearl. This book discusses as well the various methods used in the production of man-made gemstones and the commercial use in gem testing. The final chapter deals with the composition of synthetic gemstones.
This book is a valuable resource for gemmologists and jewelers. Students who intend to become a qualified gemologist will also find this book extremely useful.

Contenu

1 Gemmology, the Science of Gem Materials

2 Color, Luster and Sheen

3 Crystallography, the Science of Crystal Structures

4 Hardness, Fracture, Cleavage and Parting

5 Specific Gravity

6 Refractive Index and Double Refraction

7 The Optics of Polished Gemstones

8 Absorption and Emission Spectra

9 Luminescent and Electrical Properties of Gems

10 Organic Gem Materials and Their Simulants

11 Synthetic Gemstones

12 Gemstones Simulants

Appendix A: Gemstone Profiles. Inclusions in Natural and Man-Made Gems

Appendix : Gemstone Constants, Units of Measurement and Miller Indices

Appendix C: Bibliography

Appendix D: Examination Notes

Index