Secrets of the Gemtrade: The Connoisseur's Guide to Precious Gemstones

Extremely informative, have really enjoyed the content and depth of knowledge written by an expert but made very readable for all. Excellent quality photos on quality paper. Really pleased with a purchase that can be referred to time and time again. Highly recommend

This book was a Christmas present. I read it from cover to cover, to the point of being anti-social. I would highly recommend this for the gem enthusiast or expert. It is well written, informative and educational. I refer to it constantly when wanting more information on gem stones. Value for money and I look forward to reading future publications by this author. Catherine Reid

Tells you things that jewelers won't admit in public. Well written with many anecdotes. Lots of colour photos showing what to look for if you are buying.

Love it! Lots of valuable information if you’re interested in semi precious stones and jewellery. I wouldn’t have paid full price.

I love this book. It arrived ahead of schedule which was great. It was well packaged, despite one side of the package was open three quarters of the way down, it survived, thankfully. I shall enjoy reading it over the Christmas period. Would use Wordery again. Thank you.

Beautiful book, very well written and stunning photos, would highly recommend to anyone in the gemstone or Jewellery trade.

As a lover of gemstones this book provides all the information I’ll ever need.

Had the earlier edition one in paperback, this is hardback with a lot more additional and updated well

Ho acquistato questo libro per cercare di capirne di più riguardo alle principali pietre preziose che sono utilizzate in gioielleria. Da un po' di tempo infatti mi sono avvicinato a questo mondo da cliente e ho avuto la fortuna di incontrare alcuni orafi e gemmologi che mi hanno dato le prime importanti spiegazioni. Ho appena iniziato a leggere questo libro ma mi sento di dire che è veramente ben fatto e risponde pienamente alle mie aspettative. Fornisce spiegazioni e descrizioni chiare ed esaustive e presenta delle foto molto belle per ogni tipo di pietra. È una lettura che si accompagna bene con visite periodiche a gioiellerie con delle belle pietre da vedere.

Ich kannte schon die erste Ausgabe. Die zweite ist stark erweitert und bietet tolle Informationen auch über Edelsteine, die erst in den letzten Jahrzehnten auf den Markt gekommen sind. Gerne hätte ich das Buch schon in meinen ersten Berufsjahren gelesen, es hatte mir wertvolle Hilfe geleistet. Die neue Ausgabe kann ich allen Edelstein Liebhabern wärmstens empfehlen.

Many years ago I started a business that appraises, sources and purchases and sells fine jewelry for private clients. It was at the end of a long road and steep learning curve of developing appraisal skills and more importantly learning about the evaluation of diamonds, gems and jewelry. This included time spent studying gemology at the GIA in Carlsbad and Chicago in person and online. I wish I had seen this book before I started down that road as it is the bible of the gem business. For the professional, and the person just interested in gems, this beautifully printed and presented book is teeming with knowledge (hard-won) and images of astounding jewels. While at the GIA the only gems we touched were tiny samples, here are magnificent, perfectly photographed examples of the gems we get to learn so well. I encourage you to purchase this book, it brings to life the truly beautiful aspects of our world in an easily digested format. Buy it also as a gift for people, clients, friends, who have an interest in diamonds and gems; it will be much appreciated.

I would like to thank Richard W. Wise for writing this book. Knowledge is important, but without the tools to correctly apply it, it's useless. This book gives you the necessary knowledge, as well as the wisdom and experience acquired by Richard W. Wise over his long career. I learned more in the first 100 pages of this book, than I have in the last 3 years of gem study and research.

Great book, informative and enjoyable