Free Downloads The Pearl Book, 3rd Edition: The Definitive Buying Guide: How To Select, Buy Care For & Enjoy Pearls
Everything you need to buy beautiful pearls with confidence. With today’s finest cultured pearls rivaling diamond, ruby, emerald and sapphire in terms of popularity, rarity and price, more and more people are searching for a reliable source of information to guide them in the fascinating and complex world of pearls―natural, cultured and imitation. This revised and updated third edition is a comprehensive, authoritative guide that tells readers everything they need to know about pearls to fully understand and appreciate them, and avoid any unexpected―and costly―disappointments, now and in future generations. Special Feature: Exclusive interviews with the world’s leading authorities on pearls, who offer "insider" insights and advice. Selected Contents Updated retail price guides New types of pearls now on the market Important up-to-date resource information, including pearl glossary, size charts, sample lab reports and more New pearl producing locales, their products and what these new choices have to offer The rich history and romance surrounding pearls The five factors that determine a pearl’s value How to distinguish the differences between natural, cultured and imitation pearls How to judge pearl quality, including tips on how to see differences with the naked eye How to wear and care for pearls Magnificent pearl creations from the world’s leading jewelers What to look for, and what to look out for: How to spot fakes Treatments: Good and bad
Series: Pearl Book: The Definitive Buying Guide; How to Select, Buy,
Paperback: 232 pages
Publisher: GemStone Press; 3 edition (July 1, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0943763355
ISBN-13: 978-0943763354
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #428,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #124 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Jewelry #336 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Antiques Care & Reference > Reference #755 in Books > Reference > Encyclopedias & Subject Guides > Antiques & Collectibles
If you love pearls--or just want to learn more about them--this is the #1 book to buy. I have Matlins 'Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide' which is very well worn from use, so I decided to start learning more about pearls with this book. Wow! Talk about bursting with information! Matlins covers everything from history and lore to famous pieces, moves on to explaining the differences/types of pearls, how to evaluate them, *and* what to look out for... she provides estimated value lists, gives advice on how to buy, wear and care for pearl jewelry. Whew! Did you know a drop of salad dressing can ruin a pearl? I didn't! The author also interviewed many pearl industry professionals and their thoughts are informative as well as (at times) entertaining. In fact, the entire book could be described as "conversational". It's not textbook in style, yet provides so much information it could be used as one!! Do you sell pearls? The information Matlins provides can help you better understand and describe the charecteristics (and value!) of the pearls you sell. Are you looking to invest in pearls or start a collection? Add this book to your shopping cart--you might save hundreds or thousands in the long run. But if you simply have a passion for pearls and want to learn all you can about them, this book is a "must have" for your library. It's comprehensive, loaded with tips, and easy to read. There aren't pages & pages of photos. It does have some good compare/contrast photos, as well as others of important or famous pieces. You may find yourself wishing there were more of the "educational" sorts of pictures, but overall that's a small nick in an otherwise glowing treasure. No doubt the binding will become worn from frequent use.IN SUMMARY:I highly recommend 'The Pearl Book'. It's truly worth every penny. You'll know what to look for if you get this gem.
I recently became interested in pearls when I bought a very rare cultured mabe abalone pearl from US Abalone, a California abalone farm. Ms. Matlin's book emphasized just how rare, lustrous and valuable this pearl was, helping me distinguish between mine and the countless other pearls being cultured which pale in comparison in terms of quality, beauty and veracity. I am forever grateful to her for this! Also, learning about the history of pearls--from Cleopatra's ingestion of a beautiful accident of nature to the South Sea and Tahitian black cultured pearls' popularity today--has been a wonderful education for me. Her book covers ALL you'd need to know to be a wise buyer of pearls. I feel like a much smarter pearl buyer today--smarter than even many jewelry store proprietors who have revealed to me they don't realize that "freshwater pearls" are from a marine creature and not humanly manufactured!
As a Pearl Dealer who works for American Pearl & Diamond, (1-800-84-PEARL) I can say that this book is an excellent compilation of pearl varieties and clear explanations of how to identify quality within each variety. This is essential to purchasing pearls. Pearls are a blind item. They are an item you must purchase by comparison. If you are interested in learning about the universe of pearls, this is a source of solid knowledge where not much is available.
I've always admired the beauty of pearls, but never known much about them. The folklore and history explained in this book makes it as much an enjoyable novel as it is an informational source. The knowledge I have gained from reading this book is invaluable. (Remember, guys! We women just LOVE pearls!)
I bought this book because I was interested in purchashing pearls for myself in Japan while living there. It told me everything I needed to know about distinguishing high from poor quality pearls in a concise and very readable manner. Also contains excellent glossy color photos. I highly recommend this book.
I am passionate about pearls. So, I needed a book that explained everything about pearls, pearl cultivation, and pearl jewelry. The more I read, the more I found I did not know. Now, when I discuss pearls from sellers, I ask questions they thought only people in the industry know. Marlins includes freshwater and saltwater pearls; natural pearls and treatments often denied by sellers. You quickly learn what questions to ask to avoid deception. But, do not expect a reasonable price guide for pearls. The Chinese have made a massive industry of cultured freshwater pearls, making the supply of pearls much greater. The Australians have made a great move into the culture of tropical salt water pearls. The Japanese no longer dominate both industries.Not only are scientific facts of pearls included, but also what some might consider trivia on jewelry. But by the time you are finished, you will impress the sellers and avoid paying too much for quality pearls.
I bought this book for our store reference. My staff became hooked, the information is solid and written in a way that reads like a book built for leisure. One critique; There could be more pictures in her book, although a cliche - a picture is worth a thousand (descriptive) words. I will buy more books from Ms Matlins, she has established herself as THE DEFINITIVE WRITER for gems and pearls. Thanks for the great reading material. Veronica, Ali'i Jewelry - Hawaii
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