Pearl Buying Guide: How to Identify and Evaluate Pearls Paperback – January 1, 2017

Author is truly an expert in this area - the subject matter has been laid out in a very systematic manner with proper background & context and each aspect has been explained in an easy to understand style. If you plan to use this book as buying guide, then you will need to develop your own evaluation procedure and checklist before you embark on a shopping spree - this book allows you to do that. If you are just seeking knowledge, then this book will help you achieve the cocktail party pearl expert status - just make sure that the author is not attending the same party.

Great for new collectors. Photos and descriptions are well done.

Excellent manual on culture, natural and fake Pearls. I like the photos and the write up. It's to the point and no fluff. Great desk reference.

Finally, an updated book about freshwater pearls! I love Renee's pictures and thorough information on the different types of freshwater pearls. Most books are on the saltwater variety, which I love. Renee covers the typical info, but has the updates on freshwater pearls. The freshwater industry has ballooned and little information is available in concise form. What I also like is the inclusion on the recent fashion and technology involved - such as pearl carving and testing methods to determine treatments.

usefull and not expensive

Good book and good service

very nice book, fast shipping.

Consider the pearl. So simple, and yet so complicated. The oldest known gem, the pearl comes to us directly from nature with no need for shaping, faceting, or polishing. Ms. Newman’s updated edition (first published 25 years ago) brings clarity and wit to a challenging subject. As a “buying guide” of course this book focuses on what you need to know to safely buy pearls (or maybe just to admire them). The important price factors are treated in detail, with an entire chapter for each. These include luster and nacre thickness (nacre is the iridescent outer pearly coating), color, surface quality, and size and shape. The numerous types of pearls are covered in detail, including how they form and the many different oysters (and a few other mollusks) they come from. The difference between cultured and natural pearls is carefully explained (not that you can expect to encounter many of the latter: a 21-inch strand of natural pearls sold at Sotheby’s in 2014 for close to $3 million). Freshwater pearls, South Sea pearls, and black pearls each receive their own chapter. The important subject of pearl color is well treated, including the important effects of lighting. Throughout the book numerous color photos illustrate every point. Of course any gem as valuable as pearls will invite imitations. There’s an entire chapter on how to detect them, armed with nothing more than your loupe. Another chapter shows versatile ways to wear pearls, and you’re almost certain to pick up some new ideas. There’s even a chapter on clasps. And since pearls are more delicate than most gems there are helpful hints on caring for them. This reviewer’s interest in pearls was sparked by the chance find, at a Chinese restaurant, of a small pearl in my Oyster and Ginger Soup. I soon realized how complex the subject of pearls can be. But Ms. Newman’s book takes away much of the mystery. If you plan to venture forth into the pearl marketplace your first purchase should be this book.(Originally published in ASJRA Newsletter, April 2017)

A great book full of colored pics and useful information.

Very detailed descriptions. Easy to read and understand. Highly reccommendable.

really helpful for people interested in buying/collecting pearls. good info and beautiful pictures.

Great Guide for buying pearls...in fact for the commercial history as well. Good informative photos, lots of information about how to judge quality, shape, size sheen and nacre. If you are going to buy a book about pearls, make sure it is this one!!

bien reçu merci