1 copy of Gemstones Of The World By Walter Schumann – Hardcover

Gemstones of the World

Author: Walter Schumann

Scope: The Definitive Geological and Identification Field Guide

If you are looking for the "industry standard" for gemstone identification, Walter Schumann’s Gemstones of the World is the essential cornerstone for your library. While other guides focus on the metaphysical, Schumann provides the rigorous scientific and geological foundation that every serious collector and jeweler needs. It is widely considered the most comprehensive single-volume reference in the field of gemology.

Key Features and Content

• Visual Identification Masterclass: The book features over 1,500 full-color photographs. Unique to this guide, stones are often shown in both their rough, natural state and their polished, cut renditions on the same page, allowing you to understand the transformation from earth to art.
• Exhaustive Stone Profiles: Covering more than 1,400 varieties, it includes:
  • Precious & Semi-Precious: Diamonds, Rubies, and Sapphires.
  • Lesser-Known Gems: Rare collector minerals like Andalusite and Vesuvianite.
  • Organic Materials: Comprehensive sections on Coral, Amber, Pearl, and Ivory.
  • Rocks as Gems: Detailed info on Obsidian, Alabaster, and fossils.
• Scientific Precision: Each entry is a data-rich profile including chemical formulas, crystal systems, hardness (Mohs scale), density, refractive indices, and cleavage.
• Optical Phenomena: An in-depth look at the science of light, luminescence, and inclusions, helping you understand what gives a stone its unique "fire" or "shimmer."

The Schumann Methodology

Schumann’s approach is purely analytical. He removes the mystery and replaces it with clarity, focusing on how stones are formed, mined, and processed. This book is the ultimate tool for verifying authenticity and distinguishing natural stones from synthetics and imitations.

The Professional’s Choice: This volume is famous for its "Facing Page" layout—detailed data tables are placed directly opposite the photographs, so you never have to flip back and forth to match a stone with its technical specs.

Why This Book Belongs in Your Collection

Target Audience

Gemstones of the World is the "must-have" for hobbyists, rockhounds, and jewelry makers. It provides the physical "truth" behind the stones you work with. Whether you are identifying a find from a gem show or researching the mineral composition for a new digital guide, Schumann provides the factual grounding that ensures your business is backed by science.