Review by Booklist Review
DK books have a reputation for dazzling pictures that appeal to the visual senses for learning, and this work does not disappoint with its stunning pictures (often several per page) of exquisite gems and jewelry. The size and proportions of this work could lead to classifying it as a coffee-table book, but that descriptor would do it a disservice the abundance of close-up details of gems and jewelry both educates and delights the reader. The first section provides an overview of mineral formation, the characteristics and properties of gems, and the uses of precious (and not-so-precious) metals. The rest of the book is devoted to gems, organic gems, and rocks. Along the way, there are forays into precious metals, jewels, folklore, and the history of specific famous ornaments (such as the Hope Diamond). Visual appeal is everything for jewelry, hence the Color Guide, which is an appendix that shows minerals in their main color. For those with a more chemical penchant, the Mineral and Rock Directory classifies minerals by their chemical composition and provides a one-paragraph summary. There are several works on gemstones and jewelry, and although this one does not offer any novel insights, its multidisciplinary approach, drawing on both the humanities and hard sciences, makes it a great source of information.--Hassanali, Muhammed Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
