| Description |
144 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 26 x 27 cm |
| Note |
Includes index. |
| Contents |
Introduction: Gems and minerals -- Gem cutting -- Measurement of gems -- Colors of gems -- National gem collection -- Historical jewels in the collection: Hope diamond -- Napoleon diamond necklace -- Marie-Louise Diadem -- Marie-Antoinette earrings -- Spanish inquisition necklace -- Portuguese diamond -- Hooker emerald -- Diamond, Corundum, and Beryl diamond: Diamond -- Corundum: Ruby and Sapphire -- Beryl: Emerald, Aquamarine, Heliodore, and Morganite -- Other important gems: Quartz: Amethyst, Smoky Quartz, Rock Crystal, Citrine, Rose Quartz, Chalcedony, Agate, and Jasper -- Topaz -- Garnet -- Tourmaline -- Peridot -- Zircon -- Spinel -- Chrysoberyl -- Spodumene -- Tanzanite -- Gems with special optical properties: Feldspar gems: Moonstone, Sunstone, and Labradorite -- Opal -- star and cat's eyes -- Ornamental stones: Jade -- Lapis Lazuli -- Turquoise -- Malachite -- Appendixes: Rare and unusual gems -- Birthstones -- Glossary of gem-cutting terms -- Hardness values for important gem collection -- Acknowledgments -- Photograph credits. |
| Summary |
"The National Gem Collection" offers a complete overview of the world of gems, focusing on the more than 10,000 superlative gemstones and jewelry pieces in the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Includes appendices & a glossary of gem-cutting terms. |
| Subject |
Precious stones.
|
|
Minerals.
|
|
Precious stones -- Washington (D.C.) -- Catalogs.
|
|
Minerals -- Washington (D.C.) -- Catalogs.
|
|
National Museum of Natural History (U.S.) -- Catalogs.
|
| Added Author |
Post, Jeffrey Edward.
|
|
Clark, Chip.
|
| ISBN |
0810936909 |
|
9780810936904 |
|
0810927586 paperback |
|
9780810927582 paperback |
|
