A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public

Frank Bertram WadeProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

Rating 3.3

Word count: 297K words
Chapters: 30

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public by WadeAuthor: Wade, Frank Bertram, 1875-1950,Language: English, Class: TS: Technology: Manufactures, Release Date: Feb 12, 2009

Editor's review

This is an introductory textbook for jewelers and gem lovers, systematically presenting the fundamentals of precious stones while balancing commercial appraisal with accessibility for general readers. As a professional textbook from the early twentieth century, its value lies in documenting the gem classifications, identification criteria, cutting practices, and market conventions of its time, allowing readers to understand the conceptual framework and industry discourse of gemology before the widespread adoption of modern testing methods. The writing addresses practitioners and contains considerable terminology and practical description, yet the overall structure is clear, making it suitable as a comparative reader for the history of gemology and a reference for older identification experience. For contemporary readers, some identification methods have been superseded by instrumental analysis; it should be read as a historical document and foundational supplement rather than a current operating manual.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Jewelry practitioners and retail sales staff seeking to understand the early conceptual framework of gemology
Beginning enthusiasts interested in gem identification, cutting, and market conventions
Readers studying jewelry history, the disciplinary history of gemology, and older identification methods
Jewelry-related students who need English-language professional reading practice

Not a good fit for

Professionals seeking contemporary instrumental testing and the latest identification standards
Casual readers who only want gem appreciation albums with abundant color illustrations
Complete beginners with no gemological background who are unwilling to look up terminology

Reading tips

Begin with the table of contents to build a framework by gem type, then read chapter by chapter.
Keep a contemporary gemology textbook at hand for comparison and note identification methods that have been updated.
When reading the cutting and market sections, observe physical specimens or images to deepen understanding.
Organize terminology into flashcards for review and practical identification.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Can the identification methods in this book still be used directly today?

They should not be adopted as-is. The book reflects the identification experience and industry conventions of the early twentieth century, and some methods have been superseded by modern instrumental analysis. It can help you understand the historical approach and basic concepts of gem identification, but practical identification should follow current standards and professional equipment; it is best read alongside a contemporary textbook.

Can someone without a gemological background understand this book?

Yes, but it requires some effort in looking things up. The book was originally intended for jewelry practitioners and is dense with terminology. It is advisable to first read the table of contents and introduction to establish an overall framework, look up technical terms promptly, and supplement background with contemporary introductory works; this will make the reading much smoother.

What use is this book to ordinary gem enthusiasts?

It helps enthusiasts understand the basic logic of gem classification, cutting evaluation, and market conventions, and shows how early gemology took shape. Although it lacks modern testing content, it retains reference value as background knowledge and industry history, and is suitable for reading alongside contemporary appreciation books.

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About the author

Frank Bertram Wade Author · 1875–1950

Frank Bertram Wade (1875–1950) is remembered as an author on gemology, though public information about the rest of his life is limited. He wrote A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public, a textbook aimed at jewelry professionals and gem enthusiasts alike, as its title suggests: it offers practical knowledge of gem identification while remaining accessible to non-specialist readers. Rather than adopting an ostentatious academic style, the book is known for clear, step-by-step explanations, making it suitable as an introduction and everyday reference. This balance of professional substance and readability gave the work a place among twentieth-century popular gemological writings, and it is still consulted by readers interested in the history and fundamentals of gemology.