corundum, geology.11, Australia.12, gems

Throughout the ages, people have perceived gems as fascinating and desirable objects of beauty and worth. Early nomadic peoples like the Australian Aborigines had a keen eye for clear or attractively coloured stones. Though they had lapidary skills to shape stone tools, they lacked the technical means to facet and polish the eye-catching materials into finished gems. Gemstones are created and found in the natural rocks around and under us. Their detection and mining have a long history, progressing from the earlier, simpler methods to the more sophisticated techniques of modern times. Gemstones of the Southern Continents describes natural gemstones, how they form and what controls their characteristic colours and other gemmological properties. The subject is divided into five sections that lead the reader into more detailed expositions of the topics. Many points made in the text are illustrated with colour photographs of gemstones, host rocks or field occurrences. Most of the gemstone illustrations are based on specimens held in the collections of the Australian Museum in Sydney and made available by the Australian Museum Trust. The photography by Jim Frazier presents these gemstones in an unconventional way, and his pictures are supplemented by others from several sources. These include examples of the world’s famous gemstones provided by institutions and companies from many countries. The gem deposits of Gondwana, the former giant southern continent, are given special mention. In writing this book, Dr Lin Sutherland offers readers a wealth of knowledge of gems and minerals gleaned from Australasia and around the world. Dr Sutherland is an acknowledged expert in his field.