What to Read about Gems

[@sharonb537]

Im a relatively new subscriber and love your commentary. Its obvious you are an educator. Well done and thumbs up!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thank you very much Sharon~ and welcome to the channel :D

[@GeologicalNerd]

Ut oh Peter. I think your comments are getting bots. Aside from that, great episode! One of the few that gives information like a person and not a bored script. Thanks for your hard work, and cheers!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thank you thank you~ and YES heaps of bots these days. I guess i should be grateful in some way, because that means that my channel is finally worth trolling XD. Cheers~!

[@ragoldextraction1390]

Your tips and explanation gave us a good foundation to understand the world of gemstones.. thanks Alot

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks ~ it's my pleasure to serve

[@kennethwalker6138]

Great information. Have dozens of books and just started cutting. Have 2 of the 3 you most highly recommend and the third is on its way from Justin. Thanks for all the information. Love the channel !

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Cheers~ yep, book collecting is a dangerous addiction XD

[@jennifertidwell5181]

And now im addicted to in color! Great recommendations thanks for another informative episode!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I'm glad you enjoy it. They put tons of work into it and I feel it shows ;) Cheers, Jennifer~

[@daviddavid2467]

Thanks for your sharing , your knowledge!! Could you do a show or two on identifying mounted stones? Loupe / light use / opl spectroscope/ like you were out and about!! A True pocket gemologist... Blessings on your business & self..

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks David~ i'll keep that in mind as im planning new episodes and i'll see what I can make happen. Some people get mighty sensitive with cameras around, so it will take some time and planning, but could be fun~~!

[@daviddavid2467]

@@GemologyforSchmucks thanks

[@Liburni]

thanks thanks , it’s nice to have a paper edition in hand and watch all these wonderful things

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I agree. While I hope to upload all the knowledge I can into my brain, it is also very nice to have some hefty books on the shelves to serve as reminders of what there is to know. Also they are useful to throw at thieves XD

[@ianrobideaux3569]

You are very well spoken. Your teaching background shines in these videos & I really appreciate the content! 💎🙏🏻 GodBlessYou Sir

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thank you very much, Ian. I am indeed grateful that I had the opportunity to be ground and shaped by my first career. Painful, but also a powerful skillset ^_^

[@bschatt6702]

Thx peter you are the best. I have learn so much of you 🙏🏻

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I am glad to serve~

[@cocopufer5667]

Great video as usual - knowledge mixed with big personality. Not sure why you dont have a tv show :/ fun fact my I started collecting about 30 years ago when I was at the Oregon state fair there was a booth that sold oysters for $10.00 that had been seeded. You bought one, they opened it and then appraised the pearl inside. I was hooked immediately! I still have the 4 pearls from there.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks for that vote of confidence ~ Also - pearls are glorious on so many levels. How much more so when accompanied by such an adventure.

[@nooranen3178]

Thank you very much for this informative video! Already have Justin's book, let's see when the faceting clubs open again, so I could start my faceting. Cabochons I already can make, although I can always improve. This is a dear hobby for me.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

My pleasure ~ Indeed we are all eager to get back out the door and into something resembling society again. Working on faceting skills is a great way to spend the time otherwise though.

[@mizzify]

Thanks so much! You're definitely our shepherd steering us in the right direction.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I do my best ^_^

[@delilahamiano7751]

Romancing the stone. 😃

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Got to ~ the difference between a product and a treasure is the story of the thing. Object #776JLQ is nowhere near as inspiring as King David's footstool.

[@Kpat101]

Great episode. Thank you for sharing your experience with us . Absolutely very informative.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thank you ~ glad to be of service.

[@whackidoodle]

Not that big on diamonds!👍🏼 I said that to a few people in my classes at GIA and got some funny looks. 🤣Anyway “Faceting for Amateurs” by Glenn and Martha Vargas is a staple. Great video! Cheers

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks Christopher~ I hear you. There is a diamond cult that needs to hear the gospel of true colour XD I was just having a conversation about the Vargas family the other day with a lapidary friend of mine. Thanks for the reminder.

[@donnya8759]

beyond glad i found your channel

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Welcome to the channel, Donny~

[@dennismcgillivray9419]

Love the videos. It’s comforting to see inclusions in gemstones.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks Dennis~ I agree. There are some inclusion scenes that are downright wholesome, and im much faster to buy a stone with an inobtrusive inclusion scene that gives me confidence on the nature of the stone than a loupe clean affair that I need a microscope or advanced lab to be certain about.

[@YourGemologist]

Well done, as always, Peter. Love your videos.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thank you very much Robert~

[@vinceyu5387]

Great content sir. Subscribed from the philippines. I'm hoping to learn a lot from your channel.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Welcome to the channel Vince~ and thank you. I also hope that my content will serve you.

[@alphanovaomega3574]

Just came across your channel and justin prim totally got me hooked and interested in lapidary and colored stones, I am also based in bkk what courses and locations would you recommend? Thank you so much for the great content

[@tangojuli209]

Its 2 years later and in Dec 2023 Pearls by Elizabeth Strack is now a collectors item only available in one place that I can find: Amazon for $995 or another one is $1,559

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

There's a rumour that there may be a second edition coming out soon, so unless you're in a particular rush, or love collectibles, it may be valuable to wait.

[@tangojuli209]

@@GemologyforSchmucks will wait. Im not in a tax bracket that buys $1k books :) The second recc for gem atlas also out of print and people are hoarding their copies like gold. Any more books youd reccomend?

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Another great presentation Peter. Jeez there’s a lot of books out there. Nice cough at the Diamonds though. Stay safe. Rog. 😀👍

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks Rog~ There are indeed a lot of books out there, and it's an easy thing to spend a small fortune on them and forget to keep buying the stones they're about XD I suppose my advice for anyone really is: pick what you want to learn about and don't buy more than you can read in a season. Finish those and then buy more.... Be well, Rog.

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

@@GemologyforSchmucks - great advice. Thanks Peter. 😀

[@samchristopher3321]

Peter, your last 2 videos are so awesome! I appreciate you laying out facts and opinions to help guide gem lovers through the maze of information that can sometimes be overwhelming. You have a gorgeous green ghost in your office that teases me everytime i watch one of your vids. Can you suggest any shops in the Bangkok area that sell larger gemstone pieces like that? Someone told me to checkout Chinatown? Thank you again for all the valuable information your videos conveyed. Happy holidays!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Hi Sam ~ I'm glad that you're enjoying these. I sometimes worry that the content can be too academic, but the topic needed to be covered anyhow. As to the green ghost/ synthetic overgrowth quartz specimen, China Town may be a good place to look, otherwise they're easier to find at a gem show such as the Tucson gem show or the Bangkok gem fair (assuming we actually have a physical one in the next year... oh how I wish) Happy New Year~

[@austinfreyrikrw6651]

Hi Peter, do you have a recommendation for a book that has information/photos of absorption spectra of common gems? I’d like to learn to use a spectrometer but have just realized I need reference material. Thanks.

[@gregleak5134]

Peter I am a book geek, I have stated that I am a hobbyists factor, silversmith and high relief engraver and yes I do maker very good money when I am commissioned. I am compelled to ask wear you reside? No I do not want your street address rather a area in general ie NYC, Bangkok. Me personally I live in boring Jefferson city mo usa. Greg

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I live in Bangkok currently ~ glad to hear of other engravers. I've been working on bright cut engraving for the past 2 years, and growing my skills. I look forward to doing high-relief and sculpting in the days ahead. Cheers Greg

[@hybridgoth]

The photo atlas of gemstones is rather expensive unfortunately, though, for any working gemologist, it's an invaluable tool. As far as coffee table books go, Asterism - Gems with a Star' by Martin P. Steinbach is worth a mention for those who share my particular interest in the niche. With regards to the book on pearls you mentioned; Does it contain a comprehensive list of different mollusks known to produce pearls included? Or, Is it more strictly pertaining to the commercial pearl trade? I've been searching for a list of pearl producing mollusks with pictures of the associated pearls, however, I've yet to find one that is as detailed as I'd hoped.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Yes, there is discussion about the various known pearl producing molluscs, though not all have pictures. There is also some significant discussion on the features of various natural pearl harvesting regions, and pearl-culture.

[@hybridgoth]

@@GemologyforSchmucks Thanks. I'll add it to my reading list. This video served as a good reminder that it's about time I renewed my local gem association membership. I've been missing out on the periodicals, and, with any luck they'll have a copy in their library🤞.

[@zaibsons6632]

Sir I liked Your Videos the way you explain I love that

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thank you ~

[@austinfreyrikrw6651]

Hi Peter, thanks for another great video. The Ruby and Sapphire book sure sounds interesting. Do you have a recommendation for a book with the absorption spectra of common gems? I’m going to learn to use a spectroscope and just realized I need good reference material to help me identify the specimens. Thanks.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

The spectroscope I love, but its a pain in the rump to learn. My suggestion, having gone through that is this: get a variety of red- purple- orange garnets, some red spinel (synthetic or natural as you like) and synthetic/natural ruby, zircon, and maybe jadeite (it can be cheaper but some transparency is important) You'll need to train your eye to accept seeing ghosts. All of these stones have the clearer spectra that I believe are easier to identify/ recognize. The spectroscope starts to push you into the bizarre area where you accept that science is sometimes pretty fuzzy. As far as books - the one I heard recommended the most (haven't read it myself yet) is "The Spectroscope and Gemmology" by Anders and Payne. This has explanations about the tool, and example spectra prints for you to reference.

[@cocaynne7226]

Nice

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks Laurentiu~

[@mman6283]

Make a Tanzanite video

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks for the suggestion ~ maybe the opportunity will arise soon.

[@Nsbsvwhwuiwbsv]

Subscribed

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Welcome to the channel~

[@Nsbsvwhwuiwbsv]

@@GemologyforSchmucks Can you please tell me the best book you recommend for Identification & grading guides of most gemstones not only the popular precious ones ? Thank you.

[@albertomarcio708]

Bom dia meu amigo me responde lá no privado . mais um vídeo top

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thank you~

[@Woofy-tm8si]

$220.00 for the latest edition of Ruby & Sapphire Gemologist's version. Or $385 for a 1997 edition signed by the author. Eeeek!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

The good news is that they dont go down in price. I know some people that hoard extra copies so that they have them for sale when they go out of print

[@isurudhananjaya8703]

How much for the beard? 😂💔.Anyway Suuper presenting and worthy information. 🌝🖤

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Some assets are non-transferrable XD Thanks for the comment, Isuru~

[@sarathranasinghe3475]

Is That big price

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Is what a big price? I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you mean.

[@sarathranasinghe3475]

This is the book sir

[@lukeuk6151]

Although I enjoy the information you share on here. I find the name gemology for Schmucks offensive. Schmucks literally translates to penis. Or a word used for fool. Why not just gemology for beginners?

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Hi Luke, thanks for engaging in discussions and sharing your perspective. In the Yiddish-American popular usage of the word schmuck, its a mildly insulting word like dummy, in this you are correct. There is also a popular series of books translated into many many languages called “ _____ for Dummies” and this idea sparked out of that, predicated on the idea that all learners need to first accept that they do not know. The name is a minor challenge to that end to see who is willing to take their quest of knowledge with a pinch of salt. My teaching style is neither clinical or typically academic, so I try to reflect that in my title aswell. Thanks again for exchanging ideas, and I hope that my content will continue to serve you.

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Luke Luke Luke, everyone seems to be offended by their own shadow these days. Just chill man. I’m a Schmuck.

[@maximhollandnederlandthene7640]

What to read about gems ...... Pearls 😅

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Pearls are gems~ just not totally crystalline XD Love them.

[@maximhollandnederlandthene7640]

@@GemologyforSchmucks I like them also 🤗 Saltwater natural ones the most! The cultivated are ok but its more like a moissanite pearl. 😅🤐

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

@@maximhollandnederlandthene7640 oh no ~ nothing of the like. Moissanite shares very few physical properties in common with diamond. Cultures pearls share almost ALL properties in common with so called natural/ man-unassisted pearls. The process that the creature uses to create the biogenic gem is the same in both cases.