National Gem Collection - Softcover

Post, Jeffrey E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0810927586 ISBN 13: 9780810927582

Publisher: Abrams, 2005

Synopsis

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History holds the world’s greatest collection of gems. In this beautiful book, now available in paperback, Dr. Jeffrey E. Post, curator of the National Gem and Mineral Collection, discusses everything from diamonds, rubies, and emeralds to jade and lapis lazuli, as well as the Hope Diamond and other world-famous stones in the museum’s collection. More than 100 stunning photographs capture the colors and brilliance of these wonders of the mineral kingdom.

About this title

Synopsis:

When a perfect mineral crystal has been cut and polished into a form of great beauty by a skilled craftsperson, it is called a gem. Gems are among the most charismatic objects in the history of the world, and are probably more valuable per volume than any other artifacts from or on the earth. In this book, Dr. Jeffrey E. Post, curator of the National Gem and Mineral Collection, surveys the world of gems, discussing diamonds, corundum gems (rubies and sapphires), beryl gems (such as emeralds), quartz gems, garnets, topaz, tourmaline, peridots, zircons, spinels, chrysoberyl, spodumene, tanzanite, feldspar gems, opals, starts and cat's eyes, ornamental stones (such as jade, lapis lazuli, and turquoise), and rare and unusual gems, as well as the collection's historical jewels. Chip Clark, the museum's senior staff photographer, captures the colours and brilliance of hundreds of gems.

About the Author:

Dr. Jeffrey Edward Post (PhD) has held numerous academic and museum posts in the gem field. His areas of research interest include mineralogy, gemmology, geochemistry, crystallography, and electron microscopy. He has published numerous scientific articles in these fields.

About this edition

• Publisher: Abrams
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0810927586
• ISBN 13: 9780810927582
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144