Gems and Precious Stones: With Descriptions of Their Distinctive Properties; The Methods for Determining Them, &C (Classic Reprint) - Paperback

Excerpt from Gems and Precious Stones: With Descriptions of Their Distinctive Properties; The Methods for Determining Them, &C

In the preparation of the following notes on "Gems and Precious Stones" for re-publication, in a form more suited to the requirements of the general public, it has been recognised that many who feel an interest in these useful and valuable minerals may have had but little scientific training, and whose knowledge of gems only extends to those cut and polished specimens used in articles of adornment. The endeavour has, therefore, been made to simplify the information, by ignoring scientific expressions and highly technical terms as much as possible, but where the use of these was unavoidable, explanatory notes have been added to elucidate their meaning.

It may be well to mention that the natural minerals have but little resemblance to the finished gems as prepared for sale, and while an attempt has been made to convey the meaning and appearance of simple crystalline forms in the four principal systems, it must be understood that it is seldom that the natural crystals are perfect in form, or regular in appearance. This might tend to mislead one little acquainted with the laws that govern form in minerals, although a little consideration would enable one to place a crystallized specimen in its proper system; the diamond, the zircon, and the sapphire for instance, could not be mistaken for each other when found crystallized, although, perhaps, identical in colour. In water-worn specimens, of course, other tests have to be applied, these are fully described in the following pages, and the differences pointed out between gems resembling each other in some respects. The methods adopted in determining the physical properties of minerals are also fully explained.

It has been attempted, by introducing well authenticated historical facts, to enliven an otherwise rather dry subject with interesting narrative, much of which has been obtained from the information collected and published by Messrs. Streeter, Emanuel, King, Dieulafait, Kunz, Burnham, and others. To the authors of these works my obligations are due. While endeavouring to make the information of some educational value, it must be understood that no attempt has been made to write for those who are already scientifically acquainted with the subject, as they are well provided for by very many works of reference.

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