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Rating: 
Summary: Gem Quality; Finally The Whole Truth
Review: Every book on gemstones contains much the same information. Physical properties, sources, lore and what the Greeks (Theophrastus) and the Romans (Pliny) had to say about the specific gemstone. If you are looking to find out how you judge gemstones, how you tell the difference between a fine sapphire and something mediocre, forget-about-it. Even the so-called "buyers guides" waffle around the subject. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, blah!, blah!, blah! I think if I hear that old saw one more time I'm going to spit up.Richard Wise tells the truth. Secrets Of The Gem Trade is the Bible! Straight non-technical talk! The first part of the book concentrates on principles of connoisseurship. The author tells you how to look at a stone, what the critera for evaluation is in faceted stones, cabochons, stars, catseyes, pearls and opals. this is stuff dealers never tell. He even tells you how to evaluate the light your using to look at the stone. Part II contains individual essays of about 40 of the most important gems. And oh the photographs: four of the world's most famous photographers, About 120 beautiful photographs including some of the world's most famous gemstones. True color! The Caplan Ruby, Rockefleller Sapphire, Hope, Hancock and Dresden Green Diamonds. This is the real stuff! Secrets Of The Gem Trade really does tell all. It is the first and only book that tells the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I read an excerpt in Colored Stone Magazine (they are excerpting it in every issue for a year) and couldn't believe it. The truth at last. I bought it! I love it!
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Summary: A gem lover's dream come true!!!
Review: I found this book to be extremely relevant and not a boring read, either. Full of alluring tales from various gem locales that make you feel as if you are knee deep in the mud and mosquitoes, this account does indeed let you in on the secrets of the trade. By considering the principles outlined in this book, I can see that there is a lot more to gemstones than first meets the eye. This book will help me become a more knowledgable and effective buyer...caveat emptor is fast becoming VENDOR EMPTOR!...Thank you Richard Wise for letting us in on your secrets!
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Summary: What I couldn't find other places.
Review: Richard Wise's new book is a masterpiece. It boldly goes where no gem book has gone before. In short, he lays out the truth about gemstone quality and connoisseurship. Every other book I have read is a retread of the same old information. You get the lore, you get the physical characteristics, you get the pretty pictures, you get Pliny and Theophrastus. What you don't get is what you really want to know, how to grade a gemstone. Pretty pictures?, this book has them as well. One or two really fine stones so you can see what the author is talking about. Part I lays it out, the real grading criteria, how you understand quality in pearls, diamonds, colored gems and opals. Part II covers 40 or so of the most important gems in the market today, everything from ruby to tsavorite garnet.
Rating:
Summary: The Truth At Last
Review: Richard Wise's new book is a masterpiece. It boldly goes where no gem book has gone before. In short, he lays out the truth about gemstone quality and connoisseurship. Every other book I have read is a retread of the same old information. You get the lore, you get the physical characteristics, you get the pretty pictures, you get Pliny and Theophrastus. What you don't get is what you really want to know, how to grade a gemstone. Pretty pictures?, this book has them as well. One or two really fine stones so you can see what the author is talking about. Part I lays it out, the real grading criteria, how you understand quality in pearls, diamonds, colored gems and opals. Part II covers 40 or so of the most important gems in the market today, everything from ruby to tsavorite garnet.
Rating:
Summary: What I couldn't find other places.
Review: The first book I've read which showed me how to grade gems. I've read books that told about the history,gemology esotorics etc. but this one told me what I really wanted to know. I've already used it and it works. Clear language, great pictures and priceless information. Congradulations Mr.Wise.
Rating:
Summary: Secrets of the Gem Trade
Review: The first book I've read which showed me how to grade gems. I've read books that told about the history,gemology, esotorics etc. but this one told me what I really wanted to know. I've already used it, and it works. Clear language, great pictures and priceless information. Congradulations Mr.Wise.
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