The National Gem Collection

Comments about The National Gem Collection:

I am an amateur geologist and enjoy looking for unusual stones, This is a companion to my Smithsonian rock book. The photographs are breathtaking.

Comments about The National Gem Collection:

The images are beautiful. They were shot on film. The photographer didn't go digital until long after the book was published. It's just the right size for someone who would like to know more about the gems and minerals in the museum's collection. For instance, sapphires are not just blue and the red ones are called rubies. The size of the book restricts the amount of information. The Hope Diamond alone has books written about it. Did you know that the Hope Diamond glows a deep orange-red under unltraviolet light? There's a picture in the book! The book also includes bits of interesting history about the more famous gems in the museum's collection and their past owners like Marie Antoinette and Napolean. It would be a great book to read before or after visiting the museum's beautiful and fascinating collection.

Comments about The National Gem Collection:

I am disappointed in the book. It didn't contain any images that aren't available on the Smithsonian's own website. There were very few details about most of the stones and the information that was presented was very basic.

It would make a reasonable book for children 8-12yrs old, but the website leads a person to believe it is a reference book. It does not contain enough information to be used as a reference. The images aren't that great either, the ones in my copies appear pixelated, like they were taken with a poor digital camera and blown up to a larger size.

Comments about The National Gem Collection:

for self, for gift

Comments about The National Gem Collection:

The book is very enjoyable. Large beautiful photography and interesting history of the gems in the museum. Very good information about the different kinds of gems and where they come from.
I am interested in purchasing some gemstones and this book is being very helpful.