A practical pocket-sized guide to the identification and use of precious and semiprecious stones, novelty stones, agates and crystals.The introductory part of the book describes the geology, chemistry and properties of gemstones in clear and accessible terms. The important properties of gemstones are explained, including crystal structures and optical and physical properties. It examines synthetic gems and discusses how to tell them apart from natural stones.Guide to Gems, Stones and Crystals then covers practical aspects of gemmology and the use of stones, including fashioning and cutting, types and shapes of cut, collecting, handling and storing gemstones, and weighing and measuring stones.An important feature of Guide to Gems, Stones and Crystals is a comprehensive visual identification key. This makes it easy for the reader to recognise the type of a stone, and so move on to the correct section of the book for a detailed identification.The main part of the book examines each major group of gems from every part of the world, with each group divided into clearly structured units. The first section deals with precious gems in their many forms, with illustrations of priceless jewellery. The second and longer section concentrates on the semiprecious and novelty stones, the agates and the crystals used by many professional and amateur jewellers and purchased by the majority of collectors and jewellery enthusiasts. Both sections are richly illustrated with photographs, and clear descriptive text accompanies each image.the authorCally Oldershaw lives in St Albans. She is the author of DK's Gemstones which sold over 5 million copies worldwide. Cally is a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (GAGTL) and a member of the curatorial team at the National History Museum in London.Main map scale: