Gems and gemstones Timeless natural beauty of the mineral world

This beautifully, extensively illustrated volume by Grande and Augustyn (both, The Field Museum, Chicago) will enhance any coffee table. Although one of many such works, this book is unique in that it features the mineral specimens--cut precious and semiprecious stones/jewelry displayed in the museum's Grainger Hall of Gems. The authors have admirably achieved their stated objective of establishing a tie between finished gems and their natural origin. The book provides the most common sources of all discussed gems and semiprecious materials along with locations of the largest known examples of each gem variety. Introductory sections devoted to the nature, properties, formation, and classification of gems are presented in a fashion that should maximize their value to the nontechnical reader. Presentations are similar in later chapters. A number of typos and factual errors should be corrected in any subsequent printings (e.g., cinnabar is not an oxide; pegmatite is not volcanic; the Cullman diamond is not from Kimberley; most of the De Beers "mega-mining" operations are not in Canada, but in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa). Includes nearly 300 color images of museum pieces (all appropriately catalogued), an extensive glossary of technical terms, a list of references, and a subject index. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates, two-year technical program students, and general readers. M. E. McCallum emeritus, Colorado State University