Gemstones of East Africa - Hardcover

Peter C. Keller

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0945005083 ISBN 13: 9780945005087

Publisher: Geoscience Pr, 1992

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Review:

A handsome volume on gemstones and their occurrences, deposits, and mining in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Keller, a natural history museum director in California and an internationally recognized authority on gemology, writes in a scholarly but lively style that will be equally appreciated by gem and mineral collectors and by geologists. An introductory overview of the regional geology of East Africa provides an appropriate context for the more detailed geological descriptions of gemstone occurrences. Principal chapters deal specifically with diamond, emerald, alexandrite, tanzanite, and opal deposits in Tanzania. other chapters treat East Africa's ruby and sapphire, garnet, and tourmaline deposits, and a closing chapter deals with lesser gemstones. Appendixes list noteworthy gem localities and museum specimens. The text is supported by excellent color photographs of natural and cut gemstones, by photographs of gemstone mining operations, and a few location maps. Chapter-end references; brief index. A topically and geographically specialized reference recommended for libraries maintaining extensive collections on mineralogy and gemstones..... -- Choice, April 1993

Gemstones of East Africa is illustrated with superb gem photographs by Tino Hamid and Harold and Erica Van Pelt. Fabulous color plates of inclusions by John Koivula and interesting location photographs by Edward Gubelin contribute greatly to this work. The chapters are: The Geology of East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda); Diamond; Corundum; Emerald and Alexandrite; Tanzanite; Garnet; Tourmaline; Green Opal; and Miscellaneous Gems. The book is an interesting compilation of current information available on the gems of this intriguing region. Chapters on the various gems contain detailed geological information, notes on the exploration and mining history of the occurrences and the people involved, and notes on the gemological character of the rough and cut materials. A valuable list of references at the end of each chapter give the reader access to recent studies in gemology, mineralogy, and geology.

On the whole, this beautifully,produced book is important to gemologists, mineralogists, and geologists.... -- Rocks and Minerals, July/August 1993

Peter Keller has done an admirable job addressing the needs of the professional geologist, the gemologist, and the collector concerning gemstones in East Africa, principally Tanzania and Kenya. Some extraordinary gems come from the region but no reliable reference has previously been published. For the professional the geologic settings of deposits are presented in concise, up-to-date summaries with a good coverage of current references, many of which are in European journals. For the gemologists the mineralogy is excellently treated and scientific rather than trade names are used. For the collector and for anyone else interested in gems, the book is beautifully illustrated, with elegant photos of both field settings and gemstones. Gemstones of East Africa can be a coffee table book if you wish, but its contents are reference quality. -- Economic Geology, Vol.88,no.3,1993

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