Skip to content
Penn State University Libraries
University Library Home > University Park Course Guides  > Earth and Mineral Sciences

GEOSC 110H: Science of Gemstones

 

Contact

Linda Musser photo

Linda Musser
Title: Distinguished Librarian and Head Earth and Mineral Sciences Library


Robert L. Tolliver photo

Robert L. Tolliver
Title: Science Librarian


Course Info

Course Name:
  GEOSC 110H: Science of Gemstones
Semester:
  Fall
Campus:
  University Park (UP)
Instructor:
  

Books

Finding Books

Search the Libraries' catalog for books on gems or precious stones.

Be creative when searching.
Think about plurals:

search for "gemstone" or "gemstones"
search for "ruby" or rubies"
Think about synonyms:
search for "gems" or "precious stones"
Think about general or more specific terms:
search for "emeralds" or "beryls"

Some useful titles include:

  • Gems: their sources, descriptions and identification  (See CAT record.)
  • Identification of gemstones  (See CAT record.)
  • Firefly guide to gems (See CAT record.)
  • Gem and Ornamental Materials of Organic Origin – this book has chapters on various organic gems such as Ivory and bone, jet, pearl, shell and coral (See CAT record.)
  • Gems & Precious Stones of North America – has chapters on Diamonds, Turquiose, Topaz and Tourmaline, the Garnet group, Beryl, Corundum, Sappphire, Quartz, Feldspars and many others. (See CAT record.) 
  • Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones –  this book has a section on organic gems like pearls and coral and at least half a page on most other kinds of gems. It lists information such as appearance, distinctive features, occurrence, value, simulants and synthetics. (See CAT record.)
  • Mineral facts and problems – arranged by mineral, each chapter features history and uses. (See CAT record.)
  • Gemstones chapter from U.S. Geological Survey's Commodity Statistics.

Journals

Journals to Browse:

  • Australian Gemmologist – see CAT record.
  • Gems and Gemology – see CAT record.
  • Jewelry Artist (see CAT record) – formerly Lapidary Journal (see CAT record).
  • Mineralogical Record – see CAT record for older issues or search for articles online and on our current periodicals shelves.
  • National Geographic – see CAT record.
  • Rock and Gem – check our current journals shelves for the latest issues; for older issues, see CAT record.
  • Rocks and Minerals – search this journal for articles online in Proquest. In Proquest, enter the name of the gem in the search box. Try using the * on the end of the gem name to catch word variants, such as: Rub* to get rubies and ruby.  For older issues, see CAT record.

Articles

Finding Articles
Try the following databases:

General Sources

Specific Gems

Specific Gems

Diamond

  • The Properties of natural and synthetic diamond  (See CAT record.)
  • Properties and applications of diamond  (See CAT record.)
  • Diamond : a descriptive treatise  (See CAT record.)

Emerald

  • Emerald : the most valuable beryl, the most precious gemstone  (See CAT record.)
  • Emeralds  (See CAT record.)

Garnet

Jade

Opal

Quartz

  • Quartz  (See CAT record.)
  • Quartz family minerals : a handbook for the mineral collector  (See CAT record.)

Sapphire

Topaz

Tourmaline

Other Gems
If you cannot find an entire book devoted to your gem, do not be concerned. You can find information on your gem by using some of the general resources listed at the top of this page. Begin by browsing in some of the indexes at the back of the books. If you do not see your gem, try browsing in Rock and Gem magazine.