Leisure Crafts

Gem Identification Made Easy Third Edition A Hands On Guide to More Confident Buying and Selling

Gem Identification Made Easy Third Edition A Hands On Guide to More Confident Buying and Selling

Focusing on gemology as a science rather than a fine art, the authors have written an honest and straightforward book that lays the groundwork for identifying gemstones in an easy-to-read-and-understand volume. They outline useful information on setting up a lab, securing proper lighting, and identifying the essential and optional instruments used in successful gem identification. They also explain how to identify the myriad inclusions and blemishes found in natural and synthetic gemstones and devote a section to enhancement techniques found in antique and estate jewelry. Recommended.
- Stephen Allan Patrick, East Tennessee State Univ. Lib., Johnson City
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great Book
When you finish the book you will able to use the tools they show you how to use and identify most gem stones.Great for beginners who want to buy or sell gems or if you just want to learn about them.

4 Stars Be careful out there!!!
I liked the book.

The main point I got from the book is that you have to be very careful when spending any large sum of money for gemstones because of the very gemstone enhancing treatments, the good sythetics and imitations around.

If you go to a website,[...] they show actual pictures of major gemstone laboratory certificates showing different conclusions for the same gemstone. These are differences that could be worth tens of thousands of dollars in the value of the gemstone. These are very fine, old, established, conservative gemstone labs with a gazillion dollars worth of equipment and they aren’t always sure about the gemstone and reach different conclusions. I’m not sure it is “that easy” as this book states.

I personally would never pay a substantial amount for a gemstone, say over $5,000, without first spending $25-50 to have it certified by a major reputable gemstone identification laboratory. If the seller would not agree to getting it certified a red warning flag should go up. Even if buying from a major jeweler I would demand certification as even they can/have been be fooled.

Sure you can buy all the tools for basic gemstone identification for around $3,000, but for that price you could have 100 gemstones sent to a “real” laboratory that has all the latest fancy equipment to identify the stone and has experienced and highly trained employees who probably see hundreds of such gemstone each day.

With a small investment in some basic equipment the book teaches you how to distingush different types of gemstones but separating the good fakes from the real ones looks tough to me.

I liked the book.

4 Stars Gems
This was a good book, explained many aspects well. Sometimes a little hard to follow. Written for the experienced buyer.

4 Stars great information
This was just the book I was looking for. I just recently started to get into collecting colored gemstones and this book was full of great information on what tools I would need and how to use them. That was so important to me.

5 Stars Essential Reference for Consumers, Hobbyists, Jewelers Interested in Gemstones.
“Gem Identification Made Easy” opens up the world of gem identification to the jeweler, hobbyist and the curious. I didn’t come away with the impression that gem identification is easy, but that some kinds of identification are easy, inexpensive and FUN! Antoinette Matlins makes it clear that the bar to entry into gemology is low. Practice, diligence, and three small instruments that cost less than $200 will enable you to identify 80% of colored gemstones and their look-alikes as well as diamonds and most of their imitations. Since there are at least 3 different gemstones on the market in every color and no shortage of synthetics and enhancement treatments, the skills within the pages of “Gem Identification Made Easy” are invaluable to anyone shopping for gemstones. If gems fascinate you, this book will help you discover if you would like to pursue gemology as a career or serious hobby.

The bulk of “Gem Identification Made Easy” are descriptions of the instruments involved in gem identification, detailed instructions on how to use each, and what they can show you, including many charts which will help you identify stones. The 3 essential instruments that everyone will need are: loupe, Chelsea filter, and dichroscope. The loupe magnifies the stones, revealing inclusions, blemishes, and fillers. The Chelsea filter differentiates between some gems and synthetics. The dichroscope distinguishes single-refracting stones from double-refracting and allows identification of stones by the colors they exhibit. In addition, Ms. Matlins provides instructions for additional tools that one would need to set up a lab: UV lamp, refractometer, microscope. Less essential: spectroscope, polariscope, and immersion cell. For diamonds: SSEF diamond-type spotter and electronic diamond tester. These could cost nearly $3000, but shopping on eBay will bring the price tag down.

The author also dedicates a chapter to “Antique and Estate Jewelry”, in which she discusses imitation and alteration techniques frequently found in antique and period jewelry. She advises on how to detect them and includes tables of synthetics and imitations, when they appeared on the market, and characteristics that will help identify them. This is followed by many useful Appendices: a list of gems and look-alikes by color, gem hardness, specific gravities, refractive index tables, tables of dispersion and birefringence, glossary of terms, list of organizations offering gemology workshops or training, equipment suppliers. These are in addition to the many tables and lists in the instrument chapters. Color photos are limited to a center insert, where there are photos of gemstone inclusions and a few other identifying features. “Gem Identification Made Easy” is an easy to understand, practical entry to the fascinating world of gemstones.

Buy/More Info

Art Made Easy Lets Learn How to Use Pastels and Charcoal

Art Made Easy Lets Learn How to Use Pastels and Charcoal

Studio: Bennett Marine Video Release Date: 03/14/2007 Run time: 18 minutes

Buy/More Info

Quick and Easy Crochet

Quick and Easy Crochet

This magazine is designed for anyone who loves crocheting and anyone who wants to learn. Each issue contains a number of ideas, patterns and hints. Additionally, there are easy-to-follow instructions and diagrams for patterns for fashions, afghans, home decor, children’s items and toys.

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star Poor quality, content and customer service
I somehow got on their mailing list and got sent several past due notices without ever getting a magazine. Did see the magazine and it’s not something I would have ever subscribed to - very poor quality and nothing in it that the other better crochet magazines don’t already have. The price is also outlandish for the black and white newspaper quality.

3 Stars It’s an OK little magazine
I haven’t found tons of stuff I want to make in it, though, and a some of the patterns that are published in this magazine, I’ve found for free on the net or as give-aways from yarn & thread companies! So…I don’t think I’ll subscribe again, but it was a nice little mag to get in the mail.

4 Stars Great magazine except
they could include more clothing patterns that are easy to follow. Most of the projects are for children’s toys and doily’s. For a prolific crocheter I suppose it’s best to develop your own patterns because you will quickly get bored with the scant clothing items included in the magazine.

This magazine prompted me to crochet years ago. I saw a pattern for a crochet bikini that I had to duplicate. I did it but I took it apart & never made another one. So I suppose I owe my crocheting career to this magazine. It’s a shame they don’t include more innovative clothing designs with different types of yarns.

5 Stars Lots of variety in a small magazine.
This little magazine is full of a variety of beautiful, charming and useful patterns from seasonal decorations, doilies and afghans to very pretty clothing and accessories. The patterns don’t employ lots of special stitches so it’s easy going for just about anyone. Having checked out nearly every crochet magazine currently offered, I’d say this is well worth the subscription price for all but those who want only specialty and/or really challenging projects.

Buy/More Info