Exotic Gems

"The simple genius in Renee Newmans Exotic Gems series is that no books like them have been written. Of course there are several places to find buying guides; a simple search for gemstone buying guide will yield many results. What these other guides cover however can be found within the first twenty pages of Exotic Gems. What follows in Volume Three, as with its predecessors, is a wholly comprehensive look at specific varieties of gems not commonly featured in jewelry store cases. Covered in Volume Three are four selections, including Matrix Opal, Fire Agate, Blue Chalcedony, and several varieties of tourmaline. For each of these gems is an entire section of Exotic gems designed to provide the reader with everything they need to know, whether caring for a gem they already have or seeking to purchase one. The stones are described in great detail, including origin, localities, varieties, care information, and possible treatments. The most represented stone in Exotic Gems Volume 3 is Tourmaline, and represented it surely is. Over sixty pages, Renee Newman describes the history of Tourmaline, it's chemical and optical properties, and each of the many unique varieties of tourmaline in depth. As you read through the book, there are also several very informative sections that many people aren't familiar with, including a section on the steps to cutting fire agate, and one on treated Andamooka matrix opal. Maybe the most impressive feature of Exotic Gems is its amazing wealth of photographs. Over 100 individuals and companies in the gemstone trade have donated their images to this volume alone, and the end result is a book that provides as much information visually as it does through Renee's excellent writing. -- Jeweler's Ethics Association ... The book [Exotic Gems, Volume 3] is intended to be an ideal reference for consumers, jewelers, sales associates, gem dealers and collectors, gemology students, as well as appraisers. Newman continues to amaze the reader with a wealth of information regarding the lesser known colored gemstones. The author delves deep into the history, origin, geographic sources and any available or common gemstone treatments. Tables are included to aid the reader with the unique gemstones characteristics, such as refractive index reading, specific gravity, spectrum, reaction to UV fluorescence and magnification, stability to light, etc. Volume 3 explodes with numerous detailed, colored photographs of the exotic gems, both loose and mounted. The photos help the reader in understanding identification traits and certain value factors. Also of interest, are step-by-step photos with captions of How a Master Cutter Cuts a Tourmaline as well as Fire Agate. Exotic Gems is extremely well organized and quite easy and interesting to read. I look forward to adding all of the other volumes to my library collection; especially for the fun facts, historical anecdotes and exquisite photographs. As a jewelry appraiser and gemologist, I feel that this information in particular will serve as a great reference; especially when we have very inquisitive clients asking, for example, why we dont automatically label a blue-green tourmaline a Paraiba. The quality of the photographs and their individual reference information listed can also be a great asset to an appraiser; helping locate possible comparison gemstones, designers, and/or gemstone dealers. Renee Newmans Exotic Gems series is full of important information that would be a great tool for any and all consumers who have an interest in purchasing these different, unusual and fascinating colored gemstones. At the low retail price of $19.95, how can we possibly pass them up? -- Reviewed by Katy Bodenburg, GG, NAJA Appraiser The rather lengthy subtitle of this superbly written book is How to Identify, Evaluate, Select and Care for Matrix Opal, Fire Agate, Blue Chalcedony, Rubellite, Indicolite, Paraiba and Other Tourmalines. Geared toward the lapidary and jewelry artist rather than the specimen collector, the book offers a detailed chapter on the many factors involved in pricing gems, including color, clarity, transparency and brilliance. Throughout the 136 pages, the major emphasis is on the popular varieties of tourmaline, which fill seven chapters. The varieties are grouped according to color and source. The section on cutting tourmalines is particularly useful. The skillful use of nearly 400 color images to highlight various gems and their characteristics makes this a delightful book to peruse. For jewelry designers, many photographsseveral by my friend Frank Heiser illustrate a great variety of creative designs. The earlier volumes in the Exotic Gems series deal with tanzanite, ammolite rhodochrosite, zulatanite, sunstone moonstone and other feldspars (Vol 1) and alexandrite andalusite, chrsoberyl catseye, kyanite, common opal, fire opal, dinosaur gemstone, tsavorite, rhodolite and other garnets (Vol 2). These books are must haves for the libraries of jewelry designers, gemstone cutters, and anyone who simply appreciates colorful gemstones. -- Bob Jones, Rock & Gem One interesting inclusion in the volume is that of pink tourmaline. Although probably not considered exotic by many, pink tourmaline quite rightly deserves a place because of its historical importance, being highly sought after by the Chinese Empress Dowager Tzu-hsi, who was laid to rest with a pillow carved from this much-beloved material. Stories such as this, interspersed throughout the book, bring the human element of gemstones and gemmology into what other texts might treat as a simple discussion of properties and effects. Fire agate also features, with details on which of its iridescent colours are the most desirable and/or valuable, and the known sources worldwide. As with the section on tourmalines, detailed images of professional cutters are included, along with commentary from master cutters specializing in each material. Matrix opal and blue chalcedony are the remaining two stones covered, and each is considered with the same level of care and attention to detail. When discussing blue chalcedony, Renee focuses on the different localities that this material can be sourced from an important feature for collectors. The range and variety of colours and structures that this material takes are also covered, with various cutting styles designed to enhance these features. Matrix opal, which is often overlooked in textbooks in favour of the more desired forms of precious opal, gets a well-deserved review, and the images included here show that this has a unique appeal all of its own. Overall, this is another excellent addition to the famous and much-loved Renee Newman series. The information contained is wide-ranging, ensuring that there is something for everyone, whether amateur collector or serious gemmologist. - Andrew S. Fellows FGA DGA, Gems & Jewellery, published by the British Gemmological Assn.(Gem A)