Table of Contents

Contents
List of Price Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
List of Special Charts and Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
List of Color Photograph Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
PART ONE Getting to Know Gems
1 The Mystery & Magic of Colored Gems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 Getting What You Really Want: The First Steps . . . . . . . . . . 9
3 Looking for a Gem That's a "Cut Above". . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
PART TWO Colored Gemstones
4 Determining Value in Colored Gems:
What Makes a Gem a Gem? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5 Colored Gemstone Synthesis & Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
6 Fraud & Misrepresentation in Colored Gems . . . . . . . . . . . 65
7 Colored Gemstone Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
8 Buying Colored Gems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
9 Colorful Choices in Colored Gemstones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
PART THREE
Important Advice Before &After You Buy
10 What to Ask When Buying the Stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
11 How to Select a Reputable Jeweler &
Gemologist Consultant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
12 Verifying & Insuring Your Purchase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
13 Buying on the Internet: E-Commerce &Online Auctions . . 185
14 Caring for Your Gems & Jewelry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Appendix
Selected List of Recognized Laboratories . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Selected Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Color Plates and Exhibits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Index........... 200
Price Guides
Guide to Popular Gems and Their Prices . . . . . . . 105–110
Opal Retail Price Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Synthetic Gemstone Retail Price Guide . . . . . . . . 112–113
Composite Gemstone Retail Price Guide . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Special Charts and Tables
Zodiac Stones, Birthstones, and Anniversary Stones . . 4–6
Gemstone Clarity Classifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Guide to Gemstone Treatments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56–62
Descriptive Names and Misnomers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81–83
Gem Alternatives by Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98–100
How Treatments Affect Prices of Colored Gems . . . . . 101
Gemstones That Are Not Routinely Enhanced . . . . . . 102

About the Author

Antoinette L Matlins PG, is an internationally respected gem and jewellery expert, author, lecturer and popular media guest. Her books are widely used throughout the world by consumers and professionals in the gem and jewellery field alike. Antonio C Bonanno FGA ASA MGA, was one of America's most distinguished gemologists. For over 40 years, he was President of the National Gem Appraising Laboratory, and Director of the Columbia School of Gemology in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Reviews

Newly updated and expanded is a key reference for any library catering to gemstone collectors and jewelry makers. This includes all the basics needed to assess gemstones and how to avoid common issues form how to identify a natural versus an enhanced gem to what to get in writing when purchasing, and how to establish and stay within budget. New gems, new cuts, and new buying methods via Internet and TV shopping are all covered here.
*California Bookwatch*