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Gemstones of North America Vol.III
Rocks and Minerals, May 1998
It is difficult to imagine that more than twenty years have passed since the publication of Gemstones of North America, volume 2. Obviously, much of interest to collectors of gems, gem materials, and specimens of mineral species used for gems has taken place during this period, certainly enough to justify the present volume. As in the first two volumes, the mineral species or, in some instances, trade or varietal names of gem materials are arranged alphabetically. Occurrences under each gemstone are generally arranged in geographical order from northeast to south to southwest, with overall occurrences grouped under political divisions such as Greenland, provinces of Canada, states of the United States, states of Mexico, and so forth. Information from previous volumes is generally not repeated except where important to the introduction of new data. In most instances, a material covered in a previous volume but for which no new information is available is still listed with the comment that there is no new data; several literature citations are usually given to point the reader toward other sources of information, if needed. For materials having new information, complete references since 1976 are given. No attempt has been made to update the very comprehensive reference list given in appendix one of volume 2 (pp. 374-462).
The present volume begins with actinolite, for which a single citation to material from Chester, Vermont, capable of furnishing faceted stones up to 10 carats, is presented. Somewhat wearily and 513 pages later, we arrive at zircon, where rough from Ontario, New Jersey, and Colorado is described. Some very worthwhile information is contained in the intervening pages. Of particular note are sections on amber mining in the Dominican Republic; North Carolina, Idaho, Utah, and California beryl; diamonds from the Northwest Territories, Canada, and the Wyoming-Colorado kimberlite province; Mexican and Central American jade; Colorado lapis lazuli; pearls and shell; quartz in all of its varieties (107 pages); and Maine and California tourmaline, to name but a few. Documentation of most information is extensive, with references ranging from such magazines as Lapidary Journal to sophisticated scientific journals. As with the prior volumes, there is a valuable emphasis on the historical aspect of gemstone occurrences, which makes for interesting reading throughout.
The book contains ninety-eight figures that range from sketch maps through drawings of specimens and crystals to locality photographs. There is an initial sixteen-page section of color plates illustrating North American gemstone rough, carvings, and finished jewelry. All are Van Pelt photographs, with many of the specimens provided by Bill Larson. There is a single appendix containing a table of the largest cut gems from North American locations, selected from a larger, extensively researched list compiled by Pat Gray. The volume, quite appropriately, is dedicated to June Culp Zeitner.
A careful reading of selected sections indicates that the book has been, for the most part, carefully edited for technical accuracy as well as grammar, spelling, and the like. A few minor problems exist. For example, the most recent reference for the Lee County, Alabama (Georgia?), diamond has been misstated, leading to a perpetuation of the general confusion related to this historical stone. Nevertheless, the importance of this work cannot be overstated, particularly when coupled with the first two volumes. Collectively they present a wonderful portrayal of North American gemstones by a careful researcher who, thankfully, has also maintained a strong interest in specimen mineralogy throughout his lengthy career.
-Robert B. Cook
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Lapidary Journal, July 1997
Thousands of owners of Volumes I and II of John Sinkankas' Gem- stones of North America have waited eagerly for this book which reveals new materials, new locations, and updates previously reported data. No other set of books has helped the amateur and professionals in our field as much in understanding the immense wealth of gem materials in North America.
Hundreds of gemstones are covered in alphabetical order, with the organiza- tion of the localities for each starting in the northeast and progressing to the south and southwest. Many of the gemstones are new, or rare, or have been found in previously unknown areas. Besides these recent developments, each entry includes record or unusual occurrences and references to the people involved in discoveries, mining, and cutting. The origins of some species are discussed, gem crystals are described, and current values are often given. Each entry also includes a list of books and magazine articles for reference....
The Sinkankas gemstone books reveal an overwhelming amount of research, but are written in a style which is admired by the general public as well as the gem/mineral/lapidary devotee. So, although it is clearly a reference book, it is also a book which will be read from cover to cover, a can't-put-it-down book for gem enthusiasts.
The 16 breathtaking color plates with photos by Harold and Erica Van Pelt top the many illustrations. The black-and-white pictures show mining, field collecting, carvings, and drawings. Interesting to serious collectors are pictures of covers of significant books. There are also numerous maps of important localities.
John Sinkankas is author of 15 books about gems, minerals, and lapidary, and is regularly the most read author in this field. Some of his cut stones are in the Smithsonian. His extensive library is now in the Gemological Institute of America headquarters in California. John and his wife, Marjorie, also operate an out-of-print and rare book business, Peri-Lithon Books in San Diego.
This book is a "must have" for anyone interested in gemstones and lapidary, and the valuable natural resources of North America. For gem and lapidary hobbyists, this book is one of the most important to be published in many years.
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Choice, Sep 1997
Sinkankas, an internationally recognized authority of gemology and mineral collecting, provides this comprehensive update and continuation to his widely read Gemstones of North America (v.1, 1959; v.2, 1976). It supplements the first two but incorporates enough of the basic information to be used by itself. New data is given on many of the earlier described minerals and localities, with especially interesting material included in relation to newly developed sites for diamond, amber, beryl, sapphire, and jade. For each of more than 500 minerals and mineral families, there is an explanation of the gem characteristics and detailed descriptions of the source localities in states and provinces of the US, Canada, and Mexico plus localities in the Caribbean and Central America. The well-written text is supported by some excellent color photographs of gemstone locations and working sites. References to informa- tion in geological publications, mineralogical journals, and popular gemology magazines are given for each of the minerals and locations. Recommended for libraries maintaining collections on gemstones and minerals. General readers; undergraduates.
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Lapidary Journal, Jul 1997
Thousands of owners of Volumes I and II of John Sinkankas' Gemstones of North America have waited eagerly for this book which reveals new materials, new locations, and updates previously reported data. No other set of books has helped the amateur and professionals in our field as much in understanding the immense wealth of gem materials in North America.
Hundreds of gemstones are covered in alphabetical order, with the organization of the localities for each starting in the northeast and progressing to the south and southwest. Many of the gemstones are new, or rare, or have been found in previously unknown areas. Besides these recent developments, each entry includes record or unusual occurrences and references to the people involved in discoveries, mining, and cutting. The origins of some species are discussed, gem crystals are described, and current values are often given. Each entry also includes a list of books and magazine articles for reference....
The Sinkankas gemstone books reveal an overwhelming amount of research, but are written in a style which is admired by the general public as well as the gem/mineral/lapidary devotee. So, although it is clearly a reference book, it is also a book which will be read from cover to cover, a can't-put-it-down book for gem enthusiasts.
The 16 breathtaking color plates with photos by Harold and Erica Van Pelt top the many illustrations. The black-and-white pictures show mining, field collecting, carvings, and drawings. Interesting to serious collectors are pictures of covers of significant books. There are also numerous maps of important localities.
John Sinkankas is author of 15 books about gems, minerals, and lapidary, and is regularly the most read author in this field. Some of his cut stones are in the Smithsonian. His extensive library is now in the Gemological Institute of America headquarters in California. John and his wife, Marjorie, also operate an out-of-print and rare book business, Peri-Lithon Books in San Diego.
This book is a "must have" for anyone interested in gemstones and lapidary, and the valuable natural resources of North America. For gem and lapidary hobbyists, this book is one of the most important to be published in many years.
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Economic Geologist Vol.92:5, 1997
Sinkankas, an internationally recognized authority of gemology and mineral collecting, provides this comprehensive update and continuation to his widely read Gemstones of North America (v.1, 1959; v.2, 1976). it supplements the first two but incorporates enough of the basic information to be used by itself. new data are given on many of the earlier described minerals and localities, with especially interesting material included in relation to newly developed sites for diamond, amber, beryl, sapphire, and jade. For each of more than 500 minerals and mineral families, there is an explanation of the gem characteristics and detailed descriptions of the source localities in states and provinces of the US, Canada, and Mexico plus localities in the Caribbean and Central America. The well-written text is supported by some excellent color photographs of gemstone locations and working sites. References to information in geological publications, mineralogical journals, and popular gemology magazines are given for each of the minerals and locations. Recommended for libraries maintaining collections on gemstones and minerals. General readers; undergraduates. (Choice, September, 1997)
Since its publication almost four decades ago, this work by renowned gem and mineral expert John Sinkankas has been a standard reference on the subject of the gem materials found throughout North America. The present volume, the third in the series, follows previous volumes published in 1959 and 1976. It presents the latest and most comprehensive information on North America's gemstones, based on Sinkankas' extensive correspondence with gem and mineral dealers, individuals actively engaged in mining operations, and his knowledge of the gemological literature.
Gemstone entries, both minerals and rocks, are listed alphabetically. Within each entry, the occurrences of each gemstone are mostly arranged in a geographical order from the northeast to the south and southwest parts of North America. They are all grouped into convenient political divisions, such as the provinces of Canada and the states of Mexico.
The third volume in this series carries on the purpose of chronicling the occurrence of gemstones in North America and efforts to recover them. Anyone interested in gem localities will find much value in this book.
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Author Biography: John Sinkankas' name is synonymous with the world of gemology and mineralogy. He has written more than 100 articles and fifteen books on the subject and was also renowned as an artist, lapidary, gem-cutter, and bibliophile.
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