Amazonas Gem Publications
4th Edition Digital & 5th Anniversary Printed Editions
(Two Volume Sets)
Handbook of Gemmology Buy Now

Exciting News!

We are thrilled to announce that the 4th Edition (Digital) is now available in a new two volume format using HTML5 that mirrors the two volume printed edition. This new version no longer needs Adobe Flash Player. The decision to divide the digital book into two volumes was made not only to create uniformity between the digital and print editions but also to maintain full digital functionality. This means that all the original features (bookmarks, post-it notes, text highlighting, zoom in/out and the search functions) are still available and with each volume being smaller, it makes viewing the online and offline versions faster. It will also allow us to expand the Handbook of Gemmology in future editions!

The Best of Both Worlds

This project was started because of my frustration with the fact that a number of very important gemmological textbooks were being allowed to go out of print or remain seriously out of date. In an industry that is as fluid as ours, it is absurd to be referencing out-dated material. Going 'digital' made sense because it allowed us to continually update and expand the contents while maintaining our promise to be the most up to date gemmological reference book on the market.

The plan was always to produce 'Anniversary' printed editions every five years; essentially giving all our customers the best of both worlds. Of course the book has grown substantially since the 1st edition and now boasts 1342 pages (688 more than the 1st edition). This has necessitated publishing the 5th anniversary edition in two volumes and due to the new HTML5 software replicating this in the digital format.

So what has changed?

Digitally

Apart from converting all the digital files to HTML5, the most radical change is the ability to view it online. Now you have the option of downloading the 'device specific' files so that you have a free-standing (offline) e-book or you can simply log in and view it on the Internet without taking up valuable space on your hard drive. We want to provide you with more viewing options and make this publication more user-friendly. Since the book has more than doubled in size since the 1st edition, this is an important consideration and with more and more people having access to high-speed internet, it seemed a logical progression.

Content

Content wise, both the digital and printed editions feature a brand new layout that gives the books a completely different look and feel. All the information has been updated, hundreds of new photographs have been added, there is a new section on gem mining in Africa and Myanmar, new pricing comparisons for all the major gemstones and a whole new approach to identifying gemstones.

Covering all aspects of the science of gemmology and gem identification, the new edition features the photography of internationally renowned gemstone/mineral photographers Tino Hammid & Jeff Scovil plus some wonderful imagery by Conny Forsberg, John Dyer, David Dyer, Lydia Dyer, Priscilla Dyer, Ozzie Campos, Dmitry Stolyarevich, Arjuna Irsutti and Sergey Pryanechnikov.

Photographically, The Handbook of Gemmology now contains 1428 photographs with 191 diagrams and illustrations.

A Wealth of Information

Both versions (digital and printed) include a comprehensive look at the science of gemmology, including the chemical nature of gemstones, their physical and optical properties, basic crystallography, the absorption of light, the spectroscope, polarized light, the polariscope, pleochroism, the dichroscope, colour filters, specific gravity, luminescence, magnification, thermal conductivity, imitation, assembled and lab-created gemstones, enhancements, mining, gem cutting, coloured gemstone and diamond grading.

There are also twelve chapters covering the identification of gemstones based on their colour and transparency with a new focus on the importance of determining the optical character of a gemstone and advanced gem testing techniques.

Seventeen of the most common gem species and varieties found in the market are also covered under the section GEMFACTS while the section 'Reflections' includes 134 pages of photographs that capture the true beauty and talent of award winning gem cutter John Dyer.

What are people saying about the Handbook of Gemmology?

Suzann wrote 'This is the greatest book on gemology I have ever seen. It has it all. Don’t need any of my other books. It is a truly beautiful book'.

Check out the many reviews by students and professionals by clicking here

If you are serious about gems and gemmology, you simply have to have this book in your gemmological reference library!