Gemstones of North America
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. --Economic Geologist,Vol.92, no.5, 1997Sinkankas, an internationally recognized authority of gemology and mineral collecting, provides this comprehensive update and continuation to his widely readGemstones 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.  --Choice,September, 1997Thousands 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. --Lapidary Journal,July, 1997