Colored Gemstones, 1st Edition: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide--How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies, and Other Colored Gemstones with Confidence and Knowledge
By Antoinette L. Matlins
Colored Gemstones--The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide : How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies and Other Colored Gems with Confidence and Knowledge
From Library Journal A leading authority in gems and gem care, Matlins has issued two additional titles in her "buying guide" series. Colored Gemstones covers traditional background information and the allure of precious and semiprecious stones, including emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and others. The text and appendixes include charts, graphs, and a guide for purchasing and valuing stones, as well as advice on gem care and how to avoid scams. Color inserts highlight stones by color and showcase special jewelry design and styles. Diamonds focuses on the unique quality of this special gem. The text offers advice on appreciating diamonds, their qualities and characteristics, and setting and purchasing details. Color inserts highlight shapes and settings that accent the beauty of this gem of all gems. While these are formula books in the mold of Matlins's previous titles (Jewelry and Gems, The Pearl Book), they include extensive appendixes that cover the information needed for investing and purchasing gems of all types. Highly recommended for public libraries. Stephen Allan Patrick, East Tennessee State Univ. Libs., Johnson CityCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. Review "The information provided in this book is easy to understand and enjoyable to read. Before buying your next gemstone, buy this book, then shop with confidence!" - Tundraco's Diamonds, Gemstones, Jewelry, March 2004. About the Author Antoinette Matlins, P.G., is an internationally respected gem and jewelry expert, author, and lecturer. Her books are widely used throughout the world by consumers and professionals in the gem and jewelry field. Ms. Matlins' books include Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide (over 250,000 copies now in print--the only book of its kind ever offered by Consumer Reports); The Pearl Book: The Definitive Buying Guide; Gem Identification Made Easy; Engagement & Wedding Rings: The Definitive Buying Guide for People in Love; Diamonds: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide; and the forthcoming Jewelry & Gems at Auction: The Definitive Guide to Buying & Selling at the Auction House or on the Internet. Gemology Editor of National Jeweler magazine for almost a decade, her articles and comments on buying and selling gems and jewelry and on gem investment have appeared in many national and international consumer and trade publications. She is also the author of the "Gemstones" chapter in the Encyclopedia of Investments. Ms. Matlins has gained wide recognition as a dedicated consumer advocate. She has spearheaded the Accredited Gemologists Association's nationwide campaign against gemstone investment telemarketing scams. A popular media guest, she has been seen on ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN, educating consumers about gems and jewelry and exposing fraud. In addition to her educational work, Ms. Matlins is retained by clients worldwide to seek fine, rare, or unusual gems and jewels for acquisition.
Consumer Protection Advocate One would not think that competing gemstones titles could generate the passionate allegiances found in the various on-line reviews of those titles. However those allegiances are there and I think I know why - have you ever noticed how people committed to exposing the truth are often reviled? In an industry where deception, rephrased as "enhancements" abound; where too many jewelers justify pawning off on unsuspecting customers something less-than-genuine as, "simply acknowledging reality" or "giving the customer what he wants", Antoinette Matlins stands out as an oracle of truth. This, I'm sure, makes her somthing less than heroic to those who enjoy the easy mark-ups in less-than-genuine articles. (Apparently Antoinette Matlins's father was something of a pioneer in stepping forward and informing the public about what really goes on behind the scenes in the world of gems.) If you have a passion for truth; are a dedicated and tireless advocate for consumers and consumer rights, and wish to protect yourself or someone you love from unscrupulous sharks in the gem trade, than obtain and read this compact, easy-to-read volume. While there may be other volumes on the market with more breadth and scope, and more abundant pictures, I felt very satisified, after reading this book, that I had gained a solid understanding with which I could begin the perilous navigation of the gem trade. Same Book as Jewelry & Gems Buying Guide The content in this book is almost identical (page for page) to certain sections of Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide--How to Buy Diamonds, Pearls, Colored Gemstones, Gold & Jewelry With Confidence and Knowledge (5th Edition). While the content was good, I was looking for something more in-depth. This was not it. So, if you have Jewelry and Gems, don't buy this book. If you do not, this is a good introduction to colored gemstones. Useful, but redundant and reprises other sources Antoinette Matlins is a gemstone authority, teacher, and author who has made a large educational contribution to the appreciation of gemstones and jewelry. This book attempts to summarize and synthesize the growing world of colored gems, so that readers and buyers can make informed choices. She introduces readers to the traditions of zodiac gems & birthstones; addresses the use of the loupe; talks about evaluation of cuts and color. She includes price tables and tables about treatments by gem family; and finally addresses each gem by chapter section. A pleasing color plate section sets off the center of the book. A problem is that much of the information is repeated constantly throughout the book, while other potentially useful information is missing. Information about her favorites -- emerald, ruby, sapphire -- shows up in the early chapters, to be repeated later in the chapters specifically about these gems. Meanwhile, other information is lacking. Personally, I would like to know the differences between "Swiss blue Topaz," "sky blue Topaz," and "London blue Topaz." Are they different treatments, or are they different names for the same thing? You won't find it here. What about buying gems on Ebay? Could Ebay be a good place for the beginner to explore inexpensive colored gemstones and learn to use tools? Or do the risks outweigh the potential rewards? Do high-roller gem buyers ever use Ebay? In what sorts of cases? All this said, you will glean useful information that may not be available in other sources about recent changes in certain gems -- e.g., that Aquamarine is now entering the "expensive" classification, and sizes over 10 carats with good color and clarity are becoming hard to find. But overall -- and I regret if this seems hypercritical, but readers need to know -- this feels like a rehash. Although there will be tidbits you will glean here, this book seems to repeat the information in Matlins' other books, without adding much new. The REAL book to use for gemstone buying is Matlins' EXCELLENT "Gem identification made easy," where she hits on all cylinders. The information in that book -- on stones, tools, and inclusions -- has almost everything here and much more, including a TERRIFIC color plate section on inclusions.
