Post by Sabre52 on Jul 20, 2009 22:29:58 GMT -5
Howdy folks,
Got my book from the Gem Shop today. Super fast shipping and a great packing job. Came with a price list for their rough rock too. I've looked at all the pics and now I'm reading the book which is, by the way, a really interesting read. Like the last book, the pictures should come with a drool rag. Lots of them and they're flat outrageously beautiful. Again like the last volume, pretty heavy on European agate but really cool that they've included some great eastern Europe agate we never see here in the states.
Regarding US materials and sites, again the book is pretty weak and the world jasper section is exceptionally abbreviated despite the writers statement of content that made it sound otherwise. Especially, since there are so many photoworthy and well known jasper types. Hopefully, volume three will solve this problem. Was sad to see no Morgan Hill or Hornitos Poppy . Guadalupe Poppy was it for that group. Comment was made by the author too that our jaspers are so confusing because of all the common names yet so many of the common names have been in use for like fifty years and are super well know here. I guess in Europe, they're much more into just type ie: Orbicular jasper, and location. I can see that I guess but that sure makes marketing or discovering a type and giving it a descriptive name a type way less fun. I guess, overall though, that does make more sense as having no location for a specimen is one of my complaints about so many types marketed.
A very cool section of the book includes information on some of the world's greatest agate collectors with pics of some of their favorite specimens. ( Ricardo and Claudia were there of course!). I really am enjoying that section and it's neat to learn. agate collecting is in the middle of a huge upswing in popularity. The mining site pictures are terrific too!
Overall, I love the book and it's a fine addition to any quartz gem lovers library. Heck, it's worth the price just to have pics of all those incredible and I mean eye popping agates! They really should have included those drool rags though.......Mel
Got my book from the Gem Shop today. Super fast shipping and a great packing job. Came with a price list for their rough rock too. I've looked at all the pics and now I'm reading the book which is, by the way, a really interesting read. Like the last book, the pictures should come with a drool rag. Lots of them and they're flat outrageously beautiful. Again like the last volume, pretty heavy on European agate but really cool that they've included some great eastern Europe agate we never see here in the states.
Regarding US materials and sites, again the book is pretty weak and the world jasper section is exceptionally abbreviated despite the writers statement of content that made it sound otherwise. Especially, since there are so many photoworthy and well known jasper types. Hopefully, volume three will solve this problem. Was sad to see no Morgan Hill or Hornitos Poppy . Guadalupe Poppy was it for that group. Comment was made by the author too that our jaspers are so confusing because of all the common names yet so many of the common names have been in use for like fifty years and are super well know here. I guess in Europe, they're much more into just type ie: Orbicular jasper, and location. I can see that I guess but that sure makes marketing or discovering a type and giving it a descriptive name a type way less fun. I guess, overall though, that does make more sense as having no location for a specimen is one of my complaints about so many types marketed.
A very cool section of the book includes information on some of the world's greatest agate collectors with pics of some of their favorite specimens. ( Ricardo and Claudia were there of course!). I really am enjoying that section and it's neat to learn. agate collecting is in the middle of a huge upswing in popularity. The mining site pictures are terrific too!
Overall, I love the book and it's a fine addition to any quartz gem lovers library. Heck, it's worth the price just to have pics of all those incredible and I mean eye popping agates! They really should have included those drool rags though.......Mel
Gotta lick those rocks to see if they shine!!
