Gemstones and minerals;: A guide for the amateur collector and cutter

This book is a concise, fully illustrated handbook that will give you the information and instruction you need to pursue your hobby and to enjoy it to the fullest. PART I is devoted to the collecting of minerals. Its chapters discuss the formation of minerals as part of the geological evolution of the earth, the properties of minerals and how they are tested, the specific minerals that are of interest to collectors and gem cutters, fluorescent minerals, the best collecting sites, and techniques of cleaning and otherwise preparing collected specimens for display. PART II is an introduction to the lapidary's art. It starts with the simplest technique of gem making, tumbling rough stones in successively finer grades of abrasive. It then explains what tools are needed to go on to more advanced gem cutting.