Gems and Jewels by Benjamin Zucker (2003, Hardcover)

When Gems & Jewels was first published twenty years ago it was the first book to approach breaking the gem trade's taboo against telling the consumer anything that would help him to develop connoisseurship in gems. I say approached because although an excellent gemological geography book Zucker approached but never really revealed the truth about quality grading. Whenever he came close and he often came frustratingly close, he would take refuge in statements such as "finer jewelry stores have traditionally provided guidence..."

As of 2004 the text is dated and color imaging technology has passed this book by. The photos are mushy and dull compared to newer texts.

Interested in developing connoisseurship? I recommend a new book entitled Secrets Of The Gem Trade, The Connoisseur's Guide To Precious Gemstones. The author, Richard Wise, delivers on the promise contained in the title, it truly is a connoisseur's guide filled with fabulously accurate color photographs of the exceptional examples of the 35 gemstone varieties covered in the book.