Post subject: Secrets of the Gem Trade: Jewelry Television Special Edition
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 8:35 am
Active Member
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2014 3:20 am Posts: 52
Hi,
I came across a book "Secrets of the Gem Trade: Jewelry Television Special Edition, Richard W. Wise, G" is it the same book "Secrets of the Gem Trade: The connoisseur's Guide to Precious Gemstones Paperback " ?
Post subject: Re: Secrets of the Gem Trade: Jewelry Television Special Edi
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 10:15 pm
Established Member
Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2011 12:42 pm Posts: 47 Location: Elk Grove, CA
I didn't see a reply on this so I will answer. It is the same book. They are out of stock on JTV, but you should be able to find it on Amazon or other sites.
Well, I got my copy a few days back. I'm awfully impressed by the quality and quantity of colored photos in the book, and most of the bits I've read have seemed good. I thought the chapter on topaz was pretty bad, though. Very little information, and some of it is inaccurate. Maybe it's because I've spent a fair amount of time researching and getting samples that I find it particularly grating, but on the other hand I am a non-gemologist with a limited budget, limited access to gemological literature and limited integration into the nitty-gritty of the trade. I shouldn't know more than him, but either I do or he really doesn't care for topaz.
I didn't realize it was this seriously "Out of Print:
Okay, it's a nice book and all, but my paperback copy going for $595??
I'm selling my copy. I can get a nice chunk of tourmaline for that, sell it and buy back my book with a profit!
Gads.
Now if it was a pristine hard copy of Ruby and Sapphire... I hesitated a few weeks too long about ordering a copy of that many years ago and regretted it.
Anyone want to trade??
-Allan
_________________ Allan Aoyama http://www.omnifaceter.net <- Omnifaceter is back online!
Post subject: Re: Secrets of the Gem Trade: Jewelry Television Special Edi
Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 5:38 pm
Gemology Online Royal Princess
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 10:56 am Posts: 6461 Location: The frozen north prairie :-/
I made a nice profit from selling my pristine copy of Ruby & Sapphire a couple of years ago , and, truth be told, I don't miss the book much.
If you do sell your copy of Secrets of the Gem Trade, buy David Stanley Epstein's The Gem Merchant: HowTo Be One, How To Deal With One. Not only will you have what is probably the best book on the subject, but you'll have plenty of money left over to purchase that nice chunk of tourmaline .
_________________ IIJA Registered Gemologist GIA Graduate Gemologist
What a difference a decade makes. I am currently working on Secrets Of The Gem Trade 2nd edition. The book is substantially re-written with new chapters on jadeite, natural pearls, moonstone, sunstone, peridot and demantoid garnet. The ruby and spinel chapters are completely revised.
Scarodactyl, I spent sometime buying and selling topaz and visited the Brazilian mines outside Oro Preto. I don't believe that the topaz chapter is inaccurate, but I am always willing to learn and would appreciate your input. This is the time. Please be specific.
Well, I got my copy a few days back. I'm awfully impressed by the quality and quantity of colored photos in the book, and most of the bits I've read have seemed good. I thought the chapter on topaz was pretty bad, though. Very little information, and some of it is inaccurate. Maybe it's because I've spent a fair amount of time researching and getting samples that I find it particularly grating, but on the other hand I am a non-gemologist with a limited budget, limited access to gemological literature and limited integration into the nitty-gritty of the trade. I shouldn't know more than him, but either I do or he really doesn't care for topaz.
Just reread the chapter on Topaz. Really didn't see anything inaccurate. There is some really nice material coming out of Katlang Pakistan,Mexico and other locations, but the most valuable topaz is from the Oro Preto area. If you get a chance do a G.O. search for Imperial Topaz back to 2007 and even 2006. You will see that Richard and quite a few others are big topaz fans. Check the posts by Lembeckgems(Steve) and Amazon Imports(Joe D.). They were two non-gemologist's that were true topaz experts. Barbara mentioned the book by David Epstein. Many high end Imperials are sourced through him(He lives in Oro Preto). He dedicated that book to Joe D. Anyway I'm looking forward to the second edition of Secrets of the Gem Trade.
I am familiar with the Katlang material, but unless things have changed, there is very little available, really not enough to make a market. So, I didn't feel that it warranted any mention. Have things changed?
Just returned from Luc Yen, Vietnam. Researching my totally revised chapter on spinel. I have, over the years, tried to visit all the major production areas of gems discussed in my book. I find such trips invaluable, you learn more through osmosis than anything a book can teach. Unfortunately, never got to Pakistan and now, well I doubt that I ever will.
Unless he's moved, David Epstein lives in Teofilo Otoni. He is always my agent when I go to Brazil.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum