Customer Reviews (1)

Book
Fast delivery on the book. Had a lot of info my granddaughter was looking for. Could have had more colored pictures but the info was right on the nose. ... Read more

Product Description
A two volumes set, published in 1975 and 1976: fine copies in dustjackets. xv., 675 pp., ix, 494 pp. A very comprehensive and widely respected work by John Sinkankas, who is considered to have been " Mr. Gemology" to an entire generation of gemstone enthusiasts and collectors. This two volume set has become very difficult to find, and most often, individual volumes are offered. Incribed by the author to Robert Savoy. Bookplate of J.A. Freilich ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Whether you are simply curious about the different types of stones and crystals or want to explore their uses, the POCKET GUIDE TO CRYSTALS AND GEMSTONES will answer your questions: What are they?What are their energy fields?Where can they be found?How should they be chosen?How are they cleaned, charged, and used? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good to bring when shopping
My grandfather gave me this book for simply that reason. I stuck it in the glove box of my father's car for some time after reading it, though I grew to rely upon larger texts with more stones very rapidly. As a pocket guide, it is very comprehensive when introducing the different forms of the quartz crystal, and it does introduce a fair amount of gemstones. Some of the geological/mineralogical info is a little off, but otherwise the book isn't a bad introduction. Knight's pocket guide also covers topics like crystal grids and gives instructions for creating several layouts.

Very concise guide on Crystals and Gemstones!
When I bought this book, I just expected some really quick information on Crystals nd Gemstones, and I mostly took it as a very "101" book.

I was pleasantly surprised by the book's content, though. It has much advice on choosing, cleansing and using your crystals, and even though I haven't tried them yet (mainly because I only own an amethyst), the grids look very helpful, complete and trustworthy. The list of crystals and gemstones at the end, although a bit small, is very concise.

On top of all that, you'll end up not only learning how to choose, cleanse and use your crystals for a variety of purposes, but - if you didn't know them - you'll also learn about chakras! At least, this was the source I learned which are the chakras, where each one is, and what crystals correspond to each one.

This is one of the best books on crystals and gemstones out there, especially if you consider its size! A great book for both beginners and people who already know much about the subject, I highly recommend it!

A FABULOUS BOOK ON CRYSTALS AND STONES!
This little book on crystals and stones is useful and a pleasure to read.As a beginning New Ager from the Wine Country in California, I bought this book and sat down with it right away.I did the grids with my husband and he actually liked them even though he's a construction worker and totally not into the New Age.He asked me to do them many times now, and each time the grids are more powerful and healing.I have read other Sirona Knight books and each of them is useful and a reading pleasure.She writes an excellent book--and very positive too! ... Read more

Product Description
Utilizing new information and expert journalistictactics, Thomas and Childress offer a fresh analysis of this notoriousdocument that cloaked the richest of the rich and the most powerfulmen in the world in the shroud of conspiracy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

James Bond and Bruce Roberts: Better Together!
Ian Fleming was an agent for British Intelligence; Bruce Roberts wrote "diaries" exposing the secret history of the 20th Century. Kidnapping, murder, espionage, money, power--who needs fiction when the truth is so startling?

Gemstone File History
As the author of "A Skeleton Key to the Gemstone File" in 1975, on which all of the books and references to the Gemstone File have been based, I have watched with amazement how my brief summary of Bruce Porter Roberts' work has been circulated worldwide and written about by others. Six books that I know about have appeared so far. But the first book to be published which will contain a significant amount of the original Gemstone File papers will be my own: The Gemstone File: A Memoir." "Inside the Gemstone File" contains some excellent information about the relationship between Bruce Roberts' writing and Ian Fleming's James Bond novels and movies. It, together with Gerald Carroll's book, "Project Seek," provide valuable supplemental information and background regarding the Gemstone File.

Find the original documents!
The only way to know if the 350-1000 handwritten pages of Bruce Porter Roberts, given the name of the Gemstone File could be used to arrest and convict the killers of John F. Kennedy is to find them, read them, anddetermine where the information came from and how reliable it is.

Untilthe original documents are released, there is no way to know where theinformation came from or how reliable it is.

This is the fourth book onthe subject so far, and the obvious behavior to engage in is not beingfollowed!

Great Connections, Thoughtful, and Amazing!
If you want to read an enjoyable, indepth look at the possible truths behind the James Bond books and films, pick up this brand new book.Chapter Seven is a classic, truly a good, fun read thatgives indepth dataon what Ian Fleming had in mind regarding Bond and his villians. There'sconvincing evidence that the supervillian Blofeld probably was based on thereallife Aristotle Onassis.The linkages are intriguing too, such as themysterious Area 51-type location, the Hughes-clone, the Onassis-clone, theoil industry thatare evident in the 1972 Bond film based on Fleming's*Diamonds are Forever*.I'll stop there, other than to mention that rightbefore Ian Flemingmysteriously died, he had apparently made arrangements tofly up to NewJersey to talk to his old British intelligence service buddy,Ivan T.Sanderson, according to this book.And that's just the tip of theiceberg.There's more history in this one book than in ten historytextbooks you'll find in your local school!Highly recommended. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A must have book for rockhounds
When I open this book I was amazed at the quality of the color pictures and all the info on each mineral. This book is an extreme value for the pictures alone. The pictures of rare and beautiful minerals are exceptional. The mineral information can be used for beginner on up, A must have book for any rockhound. ... Read more

Product Description
Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
This gorgeous coffee table book is distinguished from many other gem books by providing both a visually stunning format as well as an in depth geological perspective. Over 370 gloriously colorful photographs of gems and painstaking descriptions of their creation within the earth's crust give you intimate knowledge of gems. Additional chapters cover jeweled treasures used by royalty, historically important jewels, and gemstone lore. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Impressive Book
This book is awesome!The book covers the major gemstone categories and it has beautiful illustrations of the gems.The paper is of fine quality and the book cover is eye catching.It is a work of art it and would be nice to display on a coffee table.

An extraordinary overview
While perfectly interesting for the serious gemstone fancier, this book is equally approachable and usable for those just getting started.The sumptuous cover photograph is slightly misleading, in that it seems to promise jewelry within the book's pages.Although jewelry is covered--as are crowns, religious reliquaries, carved gemstone figurines and more--the main thrust of this book is the nuts and bolts basics of gemstones.You can find out which gemstones appear most frequently in which geographic locations; discern the subtle differences among the particolored members of the corundum family; find out what refractive indices mean; pore over all the different gemstone cuts (including unusual cuts like the shield and olive shapes) and much, much more.This book is really a tool and a sourcebook for those interested in the miracle of gemstones.

Highly recommended for students of gems & jewelry making.
Any with an interest in gemstones will find this involving: a coffee table book which goes into depth and detail on individual gems and their geologic origins. From jewelry making and myths to science, collecting and lore, Gemstones provides a lavish display suitable for gift-giving and library acquisition alike.

A stunningly beautiful book
This is a stunningly beautiful book full of color pictures and explanations of gemstones.It will appeal to all ages and readers who are interested in this side of "applied geology."One can simultaneously appreciate the art and science of gemstones while browsing or reading in depth.Originally published in Europe as a production of EMB-Service in Lucerne, Switzerland, this American English language edition is from the Geoscience Press, Inc. of Tuscon, Arizona and is printed in Italy.Reading this book is like having a museum right in your hands! ... Read more

Product Description
Heal your body, mind, and spirit with the aid of flower and gemstone essences. Instructions for choosing and using flowers and gems are combined with descriptions of their effect on emotional balance, an important concept in the emerging field of psychoneuroimmunology. Includes clear step-by-step instructions for making flower essences and for matching flower and gemstone essences to hara line chakras for maximum benefit. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

WONDERFUL
I've enjoyed very much this book. I think it's perfect to prepare many Flower and Gemstone Essences ... Read more

Product Description
One of the MOST unique tools for Crystal Healing! A unique 44 Gemstone Tarot/Oracle Card & Book set, designed to put you in touch with the healing energies of the most sacred Gemstones & Crystals. These vivid color Gemstone Cards depict the sacred energy, symbols and power of the crystal realms. Each AORA Card is a doorway to the true purpose of the Gemstone Kingdom! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

just ok
I have many oracle card sets and this one is helpful and worthwhile, but I think that The Crystal Ally Cards by Naisha Ahsian are much stronger.The Crystal Ally Cards are deeper, easier to relate to, give more information and seem more applicable to everyday life.I like the AORA cards, but I do not reach for them frequently.I was a bit disappointed, but it is still a good deck.

Wonderful Tool For Crystal healing
After meeting James in Sedona, I received a wonderful reading with his AORA Cards! It has renewed my interest in Crystal Healing! This is a tool for personal transformation I recommend to many people!

Love & Light,
Shirley MacLaine

A Fascinating Tool For Crystal Healing!
One of the easiest to use of any divination cards I've come across. The areas of crystal healing andmeditation were clearly explained in the book that accompanies the cards. The artwork for each gemstone is trulybeautiful! Bravo! Can't wait to see what's next. I would recommend this toanyone interested in gemstones and crystals.

Healing and Inspiring!Beautifully Done!
As a professional reader, I use the AORA Gemstone Oracle Cards as an enhancement for my readings, as well as personally.The artwork is gorgeous and the accompanying book is wonderful.A lot of love went intothis particular creation and it shows. The cards seem to draw you into theenergy and I have found these cards very healing and extremely helpful ingetting to the heart of a situation.

"Gorgeous Divination Cards"
This is are the most beautiful divination or tarot cards I've seen. Ipurchased a set recently and have used them alsmost daily. The Aora cardshave helped me understand stones and crystals better. I highly recommendthem to anyone studying crystals and healing. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a comprehensive guide to identifying, buying, using and caring for a wide array of jewels and gems. It covers the origins of gemstones and how to assess the quality, rarity, grade and cut of precious and semi-precious stones. There are clear illustrations and colour photographs to help you identify the different types of gemstone available and demonstrate how they can be used in a vast variety of designs and settings. A chapter on pearls is also included. Cuts and facets, settings - both old and new, designing your own settings, appraising, buying and handling gemstones as well as how to spot synthetics and fakes are also covered. The result is a complete guide to all you need to know about gemstones. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (34)

Pulp fiction... nothing more nothing less
This is the sort of book that you would tend to pick up at an airport. Nothing strenuous on the mind. Doesn't make you think. Doesn't make you ask any serious questions. The plot is vaguely similar to so many other novels and movies - the lonesome, forty-something once-married-now-single handsome dude, and to prove he is really a nice and responsible guy we are also told that he has a daughter back in the US. Then there is the cute, 19-something girl, out in the bad world of Africa, alone, except for this stranger that she meets on the plane. So something has to happen there. The rest of the plot is well, filler.

Vivid and disturbing yet very exciting.......
Lonny Cushman is on the hunt for the rarest of diamonds, natural green diamonds, and his ticket into war torn Rwanda is a nineteen year old seminary student who is looking for her father. Right away their welcome is put to the test as they are literally thrown out into the street by the Episcopalian Church and are forced into shady deals with the CIA. Lonny navigates his way through the people and the country, heading every closer to his green diamonds, praying that he and his cover, Ms. Alice Carpenter, will somehow manage to come out ahead against a country gone insane. Its only when he has his hands on them that he has to acknowledge the incredible power these diamonds bestow upon the owner. In a world turned upside down with hate and injustice, Lonny is forced to make choices that may haunt him forever.

Wow. This book had me right from the beginning. I loved it. I didn't love Alice, however. In fact, she darned near ruined this book for me. I hated her. Stupid, hypocritical, self righteous little %$@!&. At one point she started spouting off quotes from the Bible during the Worst. Moment. Possible. I was frothing at the mouth just waiting for someone to kick her out of the car and leave her to God's tender mercy out there in the middle of the Rwandan killing fields. Totally unChristian of me, but there you go.

Lonny Cushman was an incredibly complex character and reading his story was what I enjoyed so much about this book. He veered from coldy practical, to hotly emotional and throughout it all he had a fierce desire to survive that one cannot help but admire. Love him or hate him, "the will to survive is as universal and destructive as death itself" and it must be respected. I refuse to judge this man for his actions, for doing what he had to do. When he was was able to fight back, he did so decisively, without though for personal safety, and when his back was to the wall, he still did what he had to do and I respect that.

But it doesn't mean my respect for Lonny Cushman has no bounds. His love affair with Alice Carpenter was one of the most nasty things I've ever read. The sex between them was just awful. Eye gougingly bad. First off, he's thirty years old with light years more experience that her, while she was a scared nineteen year old who was probably banking on the hope that the use of her body would keep Lonny around to help her. I'm hardpressed not to call her a whore and a stupid one at that. Normally I would applaud any woman for using her God given ability to bend the male species to her will, but she was one of the most irritating females I've ever read about.

While I wished Lonny Cushman could have ditched the damsel in distress, Alice still wasn't enough to kill this book for me. The pacing, the vivid environment, and the haunting portrayals of genocide, followed by equally horrific scenes of counter genocide all came together and made one incredible and exciting book. Plus, there was a great character in Jean-Batiste, Lonny's driver, bodyguard, and interpreter.

This short book, only 196 pages, is actually the second story involving Lonny Cushman, and the second book in John B. Robinson's Gemstone Thriller series. But regardless of being book 2 of a series, this book was capable of standing on its own two feet as a standalone novel. The author gave enough backstory that I was able to follow along smoothly whenever events from the previous book were mentioned. For a book I randomly picked from the Amazon Vine program this was was an excellent find, one that succeeded in grabbing my attention and dragging me into a world I hope to never find myself in.

In Pursuit of the Rare Green Diamond
This is the story of diamond gem expert Lonnie Cushman and his African cronies in the high stakes world of the gem trade in Africa.

This is a suspenseful tale on many levels: it is a true gemstone thriller. Given recent events in modern Africa of all the warring and atrocities between the RwandeseHutus and Tutsis it can be a very sad, macabre, and disturbing glimpse into a very difficult world.

The author, John Robinson, weaves an intriguing tale. This book is extremely well written. As difficult as the storyline can be, it is at the same time athrillerthat cannot be put down.The characterizations of the protagonist and all the main players are superbly detailed.

The corrupt Diamond trade is explored and fully described. There is treachery and embezzlement at every corner.

This book also provides an excellent learning experience as the ins and outs of the world of gems are well described.

In many ways, this is neither an uplifting nor a delightful book to read, but it is time well spent as the reader forays into this world.

A not-too-thrilling "thriller"
If a reader feels the urge to begin skimming a novel, that's a sure sign that something isn't going well. I began to feel that urge after reading just a couple of chapters of this slow-moving book.

The first hint that I wasn't going to find this a thrilling book was the author's resorting to stereotypes and cliches about missionaries, ministers, and Christian churches. (The missionary comments reminded me of the same fault in Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible; she may be a brilliant writer, but her obvious ignorance or bias on that point made it a chore for me to continue reading that book.) It seems that Robinson researched those subjects only lightly, if at all.

The protagonist, Lonnie Cushman, is a thoroughly dull and distasteful character with no redeeming qualities and no charm at all. His few attempts at humor fall flat, and his tender feelings for his daughter come off as contrived insertions aimed at making a cardboard character human. Frankly, as a reader, I didn't care whether he lived or died, succeeded or failed. Some of his enemies were more interesting.

In addition to these failings, the story development was pretty lame. The author never generated the suspense or anticipation required to hold a reader's interest. The author's shtick or gimmick--insights into the world of gem dealers--was only mildly interesting and wasn't strong enough to provide a foundation for a story. The only reason I got through the book was that I had agreed to write a review of it.

The only redeeming quality of the book--what kept it from getting 1 star--was the description of the aftermath of genocide in Rwanda and surrounding countries. The piles of bodies, the smells, the effects of decomposition, and the descriptions of atrocities all had a ring of authenticity and at times were vivid and compelling. However, these elements in themselves do not make a story.

Chasing the elusive Green Diamonds...
We have all heard the term "Blood Diamonds" and many have seen the film, Robinson throws the gritty reality of the diamond trade in the Congo in your face in this fast paced thriller!

Lonny, diamontaire from a family tradition of diamontaires is looking to cement his personal reputation in the industry...how better to do that than to capture the elusive suite of "green diamonds" that is the talk of the Industry.His adventures through the Congo are made more difficult due to his committment to help a beautiful Seminary Student locate her missing father.

Trouble abounds - and not just from the obvious "child soldiers" and unscrupulous miners - Africa is not a culture that believes that women should be in advisory (especially religious) positions over men!

This is a thrill a minute - I am going to go back and pick up Robinson's previous book The Sapphire Sea! ... Read more

Product Description
Colorado Rockhounding is a complete guide to the state's rich and varied mineral, gemstone, and fossil sources. In Colorado, rockhounds may pick agate and petrified wood from the vast Great Plains, follow dinosaur tracks on hogback ridges, pan gold in mountain streams, hunt gemstones on towering peaks, and search for metal sulfide minerals in historic mining districts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Great resource
I'm on my second copy of this gem, having worn out my first.This is THE book I take with me when I go hounding for rocks in Colorado.I've found the maps and directions included with each entry usually good enough to get me to the location, and with the help of a topo map I've never failed to find the site.Clear, concise, readable, and well organized (by county), it will become your companion on your rockhounding trips.
I drop one star because it does need to be updated (as opposed to just reprinted) and could have more sites from eastern Colorado.Make it even better and have GPS cited locations. Even with these drawbacks, a great resource for those with rocks in the head.

Best Colorado Rockhounding Book!!!!!
I wore out my first book and had to buy another this year!!! Have collected in many of the sites listed and found lots of garnets, topaz, amazonite, aquamarine, opal, marble, and of course smokey quarts crystals. This is the best resource I've found for being successful in rock collecting. My kids have their own copies now that they keep in their cars, and many day trips are spent at the sites listed. Author speaks in everyday language so those of us that are not geologists can actually find these gems. It has been a really fun family hobby for us, and we owe our success to this author!!! Highly Recommend this book!!!!

A little more broadbased than what I need - but still great!
A little more technical than I need; but I will still get good use out of this reference book. Thank you!

Buyer beware!
I spent most of the last week in the Salida/Buena Vista/Royal Gorge area, and wasted ALOT of money on gas trying to find some of the fantastic mine tailings dumps and rock shops claimed to be in the area by this book.When one of the most highly recommended rock shops turned out to have been closed for five years, I started to wonder.I realized this book is just a summary of articles from Rock and Gem magazine, and many date back to the 1960s or earlier (1917???)!This book should be classified as fiction.For that matter, a few months back I tried to contact the state of Utah for permission to pan in the easements, as recommended in an article in R & G.They were horrified and knew nothing about it!It is illegal in Utah to be in the easements unless it is an emergency.So those of you planning a trip out west, don't base your agenda on either of these sources!Mitchell is cheaper and more reliable.

very informative
This books makes for great reading, plus is a field guide. We haven't been able to go to the sites yet as of this year (because of all the snow lately here in Colorado) but we are looking forward to using the book in the upcoming summer months. The introduction has a lot of interesting information about the history of Colorado mining, mine safety, types of minerals that can be found, the way the Rockies were formed, dinosaurs, fossils, and warnings about private property, etc. So far we've really liked it, and can't wait to put it to use. Basic maps are shown of the areas, has b/w photos, and also has a small color-photo section that shows minerals and where they were found. Bought this toghther with the updated version of Kappele's Rockhounding guide. Would recommend for reading or guide. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more