gems, color science, color theory

An illustrated introduction to the science of light and color, written for a general audience as part of the Golden Guide series. The book introduces the physical nature of light, its behavior, and its relationship to human color perception. Topics include the visible spectrum, reflection, refraction, dispersion, absorption, and the formation of colors through the interaction of light with different materials. The work also addresses color mixing, the properties of colored light and pigments, and optical phenomena encountered in nature and everyday life. Illustrated explanations make fundamental concepts of optics and color science accessible to nonspecialists. The volume provides useful introductory background for understanding the appearance of gemstones and other colored materials. This description is based on the book’s subject and series rather than examination of the complete text.