Books on Diamonds, Gemstones, Engagement Ring Buying Guides.

Finally, I got this section ready. I have been trying to get the bookstore up and running since quite sometime. The books that I have mentioned here are all quality books. Each one of them have very good written matter. More importantly, they have some really breath-taking pictures. Thats what it's all about, isin't it now. I love photographs in books myself and would never even suggest something which does not have any colourful photographs of gemstones. So here they are mentioned according to no preference. More will be coming slowly. And by the way, if you want to purchase them then just click on the link and follow the instructions. They are expensive but each of them are great and will be a collector's item in your book collection. I will be adding a brief description of each of the books,once I get some more time. If you want to know the book's and the author's name, just place your mouse for couple of seconds on the image of the book.

Gemstones: Quality and Value, Volume 1 - Yasukazu Suwa
This is an excellent book. I have no appropriate words to describe how important this book has been to me. It alphabetically describes almost all the regularly traded stones. The description includes everything you can imagine under the sun. The stone's history and information about inclusions regularly found in it. The best thing is that it gives you an idea as to what is considered good quality or acceptable quality. When I am saying quality, I mean the number of clarities and the effect it has on the value of the stone. The most important for me has been the fact that it mentions the most desirable color in gemstones. Thus when you are buying a Ruby it informs you what color you should be looking for and what quality is the best. I have it and I cherish this book. If you do regular gemstone buying then it should definitely be there in your book case. The book is worth $ 145.00, making it a little on the expensive side. However, I cannot stress enough as to how much it has helped me out when I was buying stones off the street. It improved my reputation and suppliers became aware that I knew what I was doing, keeping them on their toes. If you have the money then buy it now if not then save up some over a period of time and buy this book.

Gemstones of the World, Revised Edition - Walter Schumann.
This book was a great guide when I was studying in school. The only reason why I would suggest you to buy this book would be because of it's pictures. If you have to regularly identify stones then this is an ideal book for picture reference. The only reason I am saying this is because it has accurate colored pictures of each stone displayed according to their species and varieties. For example, it has amazing pictures of all the different Agates and Chalcedonies which to some people might give a headache. The information I have not found to be correct at some occasions. It was conflicting to what I was taught at the GIA. However for 20 bucks, give it a shot.

MicroWorld of Diamonds:A Visual Reference - John I. Koivula
John I. Koivula is one of the best photographers I have ever come across. While I was studying at GIA I had an opportunity to attend one of his lectures. Firstly his lecture was one of the best and was a visual feast. I saw slides after slides of gemstones and a perspective of diamonds and gemstones under the microscope that I had never come across. He was the main photographer for the Photo Atlas book used in every gem identification classroom in the GIA. I used it for reference purposes almost everytime when I was at a deadlock comparing between natural and synthetic emeralds, heat treated rubies, flux or natural rubies. The quality of images in this book is imcomparable. John uses different lighting conditions under the microscope to bring the correct feeling of the stone. At times it takes days messing around with the camera, microscope and different lighting angles and forms to get to some of the final images. A Delight for your eyes, Awesome Buy!!!