The Optical Properties of Gemstones and Crystals - A Collection of Historical Articles on Refraction, Colour, Luminescence and Other Optical Propertie

Uncover how light interacts with gems and crystals in this engaging collection of historically significant articles carefully selected from research dating back to the early 1900s and earlier.

Curated for modern readers, the writings explore the fundamental optical behaviours of mineral materials, from refraction and the science of colour to luminescence and other light-related phenomena that make gemstones visually captivating.

Contents include:

• A Handbook of Precious Stones by M. D. Rothschild
• A Textbook of Mineralogy by Edward Salisbury Dana
• Crystals and Polarising Microscope by N. H. Hartshorne
• Gem Cutting by J. Daniel Willems
• Gem Stones and Their Distinctive Characters by G. F. Herbert Smith
• Gem and Gem Materials by Edward Henry Kraus
• Popular Gemology by Richard M. Pearl
• The Characters of Crystals by P. Groth

Including classic material drawn from gemology and crystallography, this volume offers clear explanations and original source content that make it a rich reference for students, gem enthusiasts, and anyone curious about how light reveals the beauty and character of gemstones and crystals in a scientific and historical context.