to this edition In working with my own clients to acquire gemstones and jewelry since this book was first published in 1984, they have pointed out that most people buy "jewelry" and not "gemstones." Because the book offers so much practical advice and money-saving tips about buying jewelry, they urged me to change the title. So, in this edition The Complete Guide to Buying Gems has been changed to Jewelry &amp; Gems: The Buying Guide. Consumer and professional response to the book has been very gratifying. Almost 14,000 hardcover copies are in circulation. We have received hundreds of letters, phone calls and in-person comments about the helpfulness and interesting information it provides. We thank you for encouraging us to make the book more widely available by bringing out this softcover edition. We have taken the opportunity of this softcover edition to update the price guides for diamonds and colored gemstones and, in light of the increase in both the popularity and price of pearls, to add a price guide for them in the "Guide to Popular Gems and Their Prices." Also, we want to take this opportunity to comment further on gem invest ment, taking into account major developments since the original manuscript was written in 1980.

Jewelry and Gems: The Buying Guide (Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide (Paperback))

Antoinette L. Matlins

A. C. Bonanno

Science & Math

GemStone Press

New, revised, expanded edition of the first and only book of its kind. Covers the latest gems, synthetics, treatments, and instruments. Easy to use. Practical. Non-technical. Shows how to identify diamonds, colored gemstones, and pearls, and separate them from fakes and look-alikes. Explains what instruments are needed, how to use them, where to get them, and what should be seen for each gemstone.No science background necessary.Faster than you can imagine, anyone can learn to identify most of the gems and imitations found in the marketplace. This practical volume is the key to avoiding costly mistakes and recognizing profitable opportunities. Essential reading for collectors, investors, jewelry lovers, hobbyists, jewelers, antique dealers, and gemology students. With this highly accessible guide, anyone can begin to master gem identification.Selected Contents:Setting up a basic lab.Description of Each Instrument: What It Will Show &amp; How to Use It.Dark Field Loupe - Synthetic Emerald Filters - Immersion Cell - Synthetic Diamond Detector - Loupe - Chelsea Filter - Electronic Diamond Tester - Refractometer - Ultraviolet Lamp - Microscope - Spectroscope - Polariscope - DichroscopeWhat to Look For, Gem by GemAntique &amp; Estate Jewelry - The True Test for the Gem Detective.Dyeing - Composite Stones - Foil Backing - SubstitutionsAppendices: Charts and Tables of Gemstone Properties, Schools, Laboratories, and more.

Gem Identification Made Easy: A Hands-On Guide to More Confident Buying & Selling, 2nd Edition

Business & Money

Gemstone Pr

An indispensable resource on how to select, buy, and enjoy the perfect ring, this revised editions includes new color photos and features the latest trends and artistry in ring design. Also included are up-to-date diamond price charts to help buyers really know what they are paying for.

Engagement & Wedding Rings, 2nd Edition: The Definitive Buying Guide for People in Love

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Crafts & Hobbies

Finally! Everything you need to buy beautiful pearls with confidence. 
The Pearl Book tells you everything you need to know about pearls to fully understand and appreciate them, and avoid any unexpected (and costly) disappointments, now and in future generations. 
This easy-to-read, easy-to-understand, practical resource covers: The rich history and romance surrounding pearls; differences between natural, cultured, and imitation pearls: what they are, how they differ, and how to tell them apart; how to judge pearl quality, with tips on how to see differences with the naked eye; comparisons of all types of pearls, in every size and color, from every pearl producing country in the world; what to guard against: artificial enhancements and misrepresentation; how to wear and care for pearls; pearl prices: from affordable to astronomical; magnificent pearl jewelry--conversations with the world's leading jewelers; exclusive interviews with the world's leading pearl experts, who offer "insider" insights and advice; important resource information, including sample lab reports, a pearl glossary, and more.

The Pearl Book, 2nd Edition: The Definitive Buying Guide: How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Pearls

Antiques & Collectibles

Colored Gemstones--The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide : How to Select, Buy, Care for &amp; Enjoy Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies and Other Colored Gems with Confidence and Knowledge 
All the Information You Need to Buy, Collect, Sell--or Simply Enjoy--Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies and Other Colored Gemstones with Confidence and Knowledge 
With more varieties than ever before to choose from, including altogether new gems, revolutionary new cuts, and new ways to buy gems--such as internet auctions and TV shopping--there has never been a more exciting time to buy or collect colored gemstones. But there are also new high-tech treatments and sophisticated frauds to look out for. Lack of information, error, or misrepresentation can make the thrill of buying a gem or piece of jewelry confusing, intimidating, overwhelming, and costly. Buyers need a source of expert guidance. This practical, comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide provides all the information you need in order to know what to look for, and what to look out for, including: 
* What qualifies as a "gemstone"? * How to evaluate color--and its impact on price. * Deciding between a natural gem and an enhanced gem. * Colored gemstone synthesis and treatment. * What to ask when buying the stone. * What to get in writing. * How to get what you want within your budget. * Price guides for popular gems, opals, and synthetic stones. 
And much, much more! Written by an "insider," this easy-to-read guide is the "unofficial colored gemstone bible" for anyone who wants to get the most for their money and enjoy what they have purchased.

Colored Gemstones: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide- How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies, and Other Colored Gemstones with Confidence and Knowledge

Everything you need to buy beautiful pearls with confidence. With today’s finest cultured pearls rivaling diamond, ruby, emerald and sapphire in terms of popularity, rarity and price, more and more people are searching for a reliable source of information to guide them in the fascinating and complex world of pearls―natural, cultured and imitation. This revised and updated third edition is a comprehensive, authoritative guide that tells readers everything they need to know about pearls to fully understand and appreciate them, and avoid any unexpected―and costly―disappointments, now and in future generations. Special Feature: Exclusive interviews with the world’s leading authorities on pearls, who offer "insider" insights and advice. Selected Contents <ul>
<li>Updated retail price guides </li> <li> New types of pearls now on the market </li> <li>Important up-to-date resource information, including pearl glossary, size charts, sample lab reports and more </li> <li>New pearl producing locales, their products and what these new choices have to offer </li> <li>The rich history and romance surrounding pearls </li> <li>The five factors that determine a pearl’s value </li> <li>How to distinguish the differences between natural, cultured and imitation pearls </li> <li>How to judge pearl quality, including tips on how to see differences with the naked eye </li> <li>How to wear and care for pearls </li> <li> Magnificent pearl creations from the world’s leading jewelers </li> <li>What to look for, and what to look out for: How to spot fakes </li> <li>Treatments: Good and bad </li> </ul>

The Pearl Book, 3rd Edition: The Definitive Buying Guide: How to Select, Buy Care for & Enjoy Pearls

The book couples in love have been waiting for. . . revised and updated! 
Engagement &amp; Wedding Rings takes the fear and anxiety out of buying an engagement or wedding ring, restoring the romance and the magic of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Inside Engagement &amp; Wedding Rings, you'll find everything you need to know to select, buy and enjoy ... to truly experience the wonder and excitement that should be part of finding―or creating that "perfect" ring.
Engagement &amp; Wedding Rings;is filled with useful information to help you make the right choice, including:
<ul>
<li>Romantic traditions behind engagement and wedding rings.</li>
<li>How to select the right design and style for you.</li>
<li>Tricks to get what you want on a budget.</li>
<li>Steps to compare prices properly.</li>
<li>How to select the perfect bridal pearls.</li>
<li>The latest cuts, ring styles and designs.</li>
<li>Secrets to differences in diamonds and colored gemstones that may appear to be the same quality.</li>
<li>How to select your jeweler, appraiser and insurer.</li>
<li>What to do to protect yourself against fraud and misrepresentation―what to ask and what to get in writing.</li>
</ul>

Engagement & Wedding Rings (3rd Edition): The Definitive Buying Guide for People in Love

Antoinio C. Bonanno

Newly updated and expanded, Diamonds gives you all the information you need to buy, collect, sell--or simply enjoy--diamonds with confidence and knowledge. Whether you are buying a diamond for an engagement ring, anniversary, to commemorate a special moment or for personal pleasure, today it is more important than ever to understand what you are buying. There are new shapes and cuts, fancy colors, high-tech treatments and sophisticated frauds. There are new ways to buy--such as Internet auctions. Buyers need a source of expert guidance. Practical, comprehensive and easy to understand, this book offers in depth all the information you need to buy sparkling diamonds with confidence, including: <ul><li>What is a diamond? <li>An in-depth look at factors affecting differences in quality and cost. </li> <li>Diamond grading reports--why all the information is important, and what it tells you. </li> <li>How to compare prices. </li> <li>How to spot differences in stones that may appear to be the same quality. </li> <li>How to protect yourself from misrepresentation. </li> <li>Questions to ask when buying any diamond.</li> <li>What to get in writing. </li> <li>How to get what you want within your budget. </li> <li>Important information about buying on the Internet ... and much more </li><ul>Written by an "insider," this easy-to-read guide is the "unofficial diamond bible" for anyone who wants to get the most for their money and enjoy what they have purchased.

Diamonds: The Antoinette Matlin's Buying Guide

Know What You Want, Know What You're Buying, Learn the Secrets to Get the Most for Your Money /Finally Everything you need to buy beautiful pearls with confidence. Easy to Read - Easy to Understand - Practical - Complete Instant Answers ... to All Your Questions For people who want a reliable source of information to guide them in the fascinating and complex world of pearls--natural, cultured and imitation. Filled with "insider" tips and advice to help you get what you want.

The Pearl Book: The Definitive Buying Guide

The book couples in love have been waiting for. . . revised and updated Engagement & Wedding Rings takes the fear and anxiety out of buying an engagement or wedding ring, restoring the romance and the magic of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Inside Engagement & Wedding Rings, you'll find everything you need to know to select, buy and enjoy ... to truly experience the wonder and excitement that should be part of finding--or creating that "perfect" ring. Engagement & Wedding Ringsis filled with useful information to help you make the right choice, including: <ul><li>Romantic traditions behind engagement and wedding rings. <li>How to select the right design and style for you. <li>Tricks to get what you want on a budget. <li>Steps to compare prices properly. <li>How to select the perfect bridal pearls. <li>The latest cuts, ring styles and designs. <li>Secrets to differences in diamonds and colored gemstones that may appear to be the same quality. <li>How to select your jeweler, appraiser and insurer. <li>What to do to protect yourself against fraud and misrepresentation--what to ask and what to get in writing. </ul>

Engagement & Wedding Rings: The Definitive Buying Guide for People in Love

Antonio C. Bonanno

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Books by Antoinette L. Matlins