"Containing over 700 colour photographs, illustrations and diagrams, 'The handbook of gemmology' is divided into three sections. The first section covers the science of gemmology, including the chemical nature of gemstones, their physical and optical properties, basic chrystallography, the absorption of light, the spectroscope, polarized light, the polariscope, pleochroism, the dichroscope, colour filters, specific gravity, luminescence, magnification, thermal conductivity, imitation, assembled and synthetic gemstones, treatments and enhancements, mining, gem cutting and grading. The centre section includes 160 colour plates by internationally renowned gem photography Tino Hammond including famous gemstones such as the Hope Diamond, the Hancock Red and Green Diamonds, the Star of Asia Blue Sapphire, Rosser Reeves Star Ruby, the Archduke Joseph and De Young Pink Diamonds and a dazzling collection of exceptional, rare and unusual gemstones in a kaleidoscope of colours. The third section covers gem identification and includes twelve chapters covering the identification of gemstones based on their colour and transparency plus natural, cultured and imitation pearls and advanced gem testing techniques"--Container.