Authoritative Gemstone “Bible’ Sources Descriptions Identification History 900pg

  ”Gems: Their Sources, Descriptions and Identification” by Robert Webster

  NOTE:   We have 75,000 books in our library, almost 10,000 different titles.  Odds are we have other copies of this same title in varying conditions, some less expensive, some better condition.  We might also have different editions as well (some paperback, some hardcover, oftentimes international editions).  If you don’t see what you want, please contact us and ask.  We’re happy to send you a summary of the differing conditions and prices we may have for the same title.

  DESCRIPTION:  Hardcover with dustjacket.  Publisher: Butterworth (1975).  Pages: 900.  Size:  10 x 6½ x 2¼ inches; 5½ pounds.        Since it was first published in 1962 `Gems', written by Robert Webster and in its revisions has become universally recognized as the most comprehensive and authoritative treatise on gem materials in the English language.  Appendices and tables have been written by fifteen gemologists chosen for their expertise in the relevant sections. Aimed at the professional jeweler and student gemologist, ‘Gems’ also caters for the collector of gems and the layperson who is interested in precious stones.

  CONDITION:  VE$RY GOOD. Lightly read hardcover with dustjacket. Butterworth (1975) 900 pages. Looks like the first hundred pages of the book were read, then the book was never finished. There's a name written in ink at the upper right hand corner of the first free page (the first blank, unprinted page in the book). There are also a few scattered tiny checkmarks next to blocks of text in the first 100 pages.  Really looks like someone was using this for a class, and only read the first 100 pages. Except for the name on the front free page and the few tiny checkmarks, the pages are otherwise clean, crisp, unmarked, unmutilated, tightly bound, most seemingly unread. From the outside the surfaces of the closed page edges show some smudging from being handled (visible only when book is closed, not to individual pages, only to the mass of closed page edges - sometimes referred to as the "page block"). The smudging is fairly light and not terribly prominent, but it is nonetheless fairly easily discerned. The dustjacket is present and though possessing modest edge and corner shelfwear, there are no tears. There's just a tiny bit of chipping at the upper open corners of the dustjacket. Beneath the red-colored dustjacket the turquoise colored full cloth covers are clean and unblemished. Though this copy might lack the sex appeal of a "shelf trophy", for those interested in a good, solid copy with "lots of miles left under the hood", the book is very clean and only partly read. Satisfaction unconditionally guaranteed. In stock, ready to ship. No disappointments, no excuses. PROMPT SHIPPING! HEAVILY PADDED, DAMAGE-FREE PACKAGING! Selling rare and out-of-print ancient history books on-line since 1997. We accept returns for any reason within 14 days! #8213a.

PLEASE SEE DESCRIPTIONS AND IMAGES BELOW FOR DETAILED REVIEWS AND FOR PAGES OF PICTURES FROM INSIDE OF BOOK.

PLEASE SEE PUBLISHER, PROFESSIONAL, AND READER REVIEWS BELOW.

  PUBLISHER REVIEWS: 

  REVIEW:  Firmly established as the most comprehensive and authoritative English-language account of available gemstones. Principally aimed at jewelers and apprentice gemologists, this treasure trove of valuable information is required reference material for every professional's library. Over 500 photos, mostly black and white.

REVIEW:  This edition has been revised by the foremost experts in the field bringing a classic work up to date. It belongs on the shelf of every person aspiring to the title of gemologist.

REVIEW:  TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Forward.

List of Color Plates.

Preface to the Third Edition.

Preface to the Second Edition.

Preface to the First Edition.

Introduction.

1. The Origin and Recovery of Gemstones.

2. Diamond.

3. Ruby and Sapphire.

4. Emerald, Aquamarine, and other Beryls.

5 Chrysoberyl and Spinel.

6. Topaz and Tourmaline.

7. Zircon, Peridot, and Spodumene.

8. The Garnets.

9. Moonstone and Other Feldspar Gemstones.

10. Gems of the Silica Group including Amethyst, Agate and Opal.

11. Turquoise and Lapis-Lazuli.

12. The Jades.

13. Marcasite and Hematite.

14. The Natural Glasses.

15. Marble.

16. Lesser Known Ornamental and Gem Materials.

17. Synthetic Gemstones.

18. Imitation Gemstones.

19. Composite and Artificially Colored Stones.

20. The Fashioning of Gemstones.

21. Pearl – its Cultivation and Imitation.

22. Coral, Shell and Operculum.

23. Amber and Jet.

24. Ivory and Tortoise Shell.

25. How Gemstones are Identified.

26. Crystals.

27. Hardness, Cleavage and Fracture.

28. Specific Gravity.

29. Light and Optical Effects.

30. Color in Gemstones.

31. The Measurement of Refractive Index.

32. Color in Gem Testing.

33. The Microscope.

34. Inclusions in Gemstones.

35. Luminescence.

36. X-Rays in Gem Testing.

37. Electrical and Magnetic Phenomena of Gemstones.

38. Chemistry and Gemstones.

Identification Tables.

Appendices.

Indexes.

  PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS: 

  REVIEW:  This massive compilation is an encyclopedic volume on natural and man-made gems. The book consists of the prefaces of all prior editions, thirty-some chapters, four appendices, hundreds and hundreds of photos, and a series of identification tables. The editor states this book is intended to be “an exhaustive study of those substances both organic and inorganic, natural and man-made, which have at some time been used as ornament.” From my viewpoint, being neither a gemologist nor a jeweler, the book would seem to be right at home on a jeweler’s library shelf and a reasonable addition to a gemologist’s array of resources.

REVIEW:  “Gems: Their Sources, Descriptions, and Identification” by Robert Webster is an outstanding reference work based on traditional methods of gem identification.

REVIEW:  Recognized as being the most comprehensive and authoritative treatise on gem materials. For the professional jeweler and student gemologist. “Gems” also caters for the collector of gems and the layperson who is interested in precious stones.

REVIEW:  Any serious gemologist should have a copy available for ready reference. ["Gems and Gemology"].

REVIEW:  ...this quintessential textbook and reference will serve yet another generation of students of gemology. [The Australian Gemologist].

REVIEW:  ...a truly magnificent book.... [New World].

REVIEW:  'Gems' caters for the professional jeweler and student gemologist, collector of gems and those with an insatiable interest in precious stones.

REVIEW:  Descriptive account of all gem materials used as ornament, along with their synthetic counterparts.

REVIEW:  The only encyclopedic reference for gemstones.

  READER REVIEWS: 

  REVIEW:  "Gems", originally by Robert Webster but latterly edited by Peter Read is one of those volumes that have such a wealth of information on their topic that they are a "must have" for anyone with any pretensions to scholarship. Robert Webster was originally a Pawn Broker while Peter Read is from a more academic background. The result is that the volume starts from a deeply practical base yet misses none of the more theoretical aspects of the subject.  If you are at all interested in gems, gemology or jewelry, whether as a buyer, a seller or just an admirer, a copy of this book should be on your bookshelf. Early editions, while dated and obviously lacking the information on new discoveries in later editions, still read well and if due allowance is made for time, are well worth having, should the cost of a new copy (three hundred dollars and up) give you pause.  The best advice I can give the budding Gemologist is "Invest, you will not regret it"

REVIEW:  If you are a beginner gem hobbyist, or love eye-candy, you may be overwhelmed by this book. It is more suited for a college level gemology course. Still, it is a great read. Anyone with a science background or any aspiring jeweler or gemologist would appreciate this book. This book goes into great detail about gemstones, their inclusions, valuable properties, synthetics, geology, mining locations and much more. Its format isn't like a gem ID book, but once you know what you have, there is lots of info here. It does include the organic gems like amber, coral, pearl and jet. There are tables for gemstone identification in the lab. The index is limited to only the stone names. It is full of references for further reading on specific topics. An excellent reference book for any serious gem collector, gem lover or geologist.

  REVIEW:  This book is quite impressive. Very in depth. Ok, there are not many pictures and would not be a good coffee table book but for anyone really interested in gemology this is a fantastic reference book. It holds a wealth of information on stones way beyond the emerald, rubies and sapphires. I found information on collector stones which I found very helpful. A must have.

REVIEW:  What a great resource.  Get this book for your library.  This is a great book for TONS of facts about Gems.  I had expected a lot of colorful pictures, but there's not a lot of those.  Still a great book easily worth picking up for anything less than $200.00 if you have a professional or serious hobbyist requirement for this information.

REVIEW:  This is the best book for the historic and current sources for each variety and color of each type gemstone. Mineralogy and crystallography is discussed in detail as well as the history of each stones sources and the individual mines producing each color variation. For most gem types there is also a good history of its use and demand and value through time.

REVIEW:  This is most certainly the best book ever written on gems...I obtained my FGA qualification mainly due to the information and data gained from this book. A must for any keen gemologist!

REVIEW:  Five stars!  A wealth of great information.

REVIEW:  Superb. Thoroughly covers nearly every aspect of a multitude of gemstones and crystallography. A great reference and a 'keeper' for the reference shelf.

REVIEW:  A great study book for any gemology class.

REVIEW:  The most comprehensive and indispensable book on gems. Highly recommended.

REVIEW:  This is THE Gemstone bible.

REVIEW:  This is a very great book. Really helped my gemstone art.

REVIEW:  Very excited to have this book! It came highly recommended by my professor.

  I always ship books Media Mail in a padded mailer.  This book is shipped FOR FREE via USPS INSURED media mail (“book rate”).  All domestic shipments and most international shipments will include free USPS Delivery Confirmation (you might be able to update the status of your shipment on-line at the USPS Web Site ) and free insurance coverage.  A small percentage of international shipments may require an additional fee for tracking and/or delivery confirmation.  If you are concerned about a little wear and tear to the book in transit, I would suggest a boxed shipment - it is an extra $1.00.  Whether via padded mailer or box, we will give discounts for multiple purchases. International orders are welcome, but shipping costs are substantially higher. 

  Most international orders cost an additional $12.99 to $33.99 for an insured shipment in a heavily padded mailer, and typically includes some form of rudimentary tracking and/or delivery confirmation (though for some countries, this is only available at additional cost). There is also a discount program which can cut postage costs by 50% to 75% if you’re buying about half-a-dozen books or more (5 kilos+).  Rates and available services vary a bit from country to country.  You can email or message me for a shipping cost quote, but I assure you they are as reasonable as USPS rates allow, and if it turns out the rate is too high for your pocketbook, we will cancel the sale at your request.  ADDITIONAL PURCHASES do receive a VERY LARGE discount, typically about $5 per book (for each additional book after the first) so as to reward you for the economies of combined shipping/insurance costs.  Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment.  We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers.

  All of our shipments are sent via insured mail so as to comply with PayPal requirements.  We do NOT recommend uninsured shipments, and expressly disclaim any responsibility for the loss of an uninsured shipment.  Unfortunately the contents of parcels are easily “lost” or misdelivered by postal employees – even in the USA.  That’s why all of our domestic shipments (and most international) shipments include a USPS delivery confirmation tag; or are trackable or traceable, and all shipments (international and domestic) are insured.  We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex).  Please ask for a rate quotation.  We will accept whatever payment method you are most comfortable with.  If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked return policy.  Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price (less our original shipping costs).

    Most of the items I offer come from the collection of a family friend who was active in the field of Archaeology for over forty years.  However many of the items also come from purchases I make in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) from various institutions and dealers.  Though I have always had an interest in archaeology, my own academic background was in sociology and cultural anthropology.  After my retirement however, I found myself drawn to archaeology as well.  Aside from my own personal collection, I have made extensive and frequent additions of my own via purchases on Ebay (of course), as well as many purchases from both dealers and institutions throughout the world - but especially in the Near East and in Eastern Europe.  I spend over half of my year out of the United States, and have spent much of my life either in India or Eastern Europe.  In fact much of what we generate on Yahoo, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe connected with Anthropology and Archaeology.

  I acquire some small but interesting collections overseas from time-to-time, and have as well some duplicate items within my own collection which I occasionally decide to part with.  Though I have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, my primary interest is in ancient jewelry.  My wife also is an active participant in the "business" of antique and ancient jewelry, and is from Russia.  I would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from me.  There is a $2 fee for mailing under separate cover.  Whenever I am overseas I have made arrangements for purchases to be shipped out via domestic mail.  If I am in the field, you may have to wait for a week or two for a COA to arrive via international air mail.  But you can be sure your purchase will arrive properly packaged and promptly - even if I am absent.  And when I am in a remote field location with merely a notebook computer, at times I am not able to access my email for a day or two, so be patient, I will always respond to every email.  Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE."