corundum, ruby, sapphire, Sri Lanka.12, Afghanistan.12, chemistry.2, gems

Bariand presents an illustrated introduction to precious stones with particular emphasis on their appearance as natural crystals and mineral specimens. Photographs by Nelly Bariand show the colours and forms of gem materials before cutting, alongside examples of fashioned stones. The coverage includes less familiar crystals as well as established gemstones and opal. Its principal interest is visual, encouraging appreciation of gem minerals as naturally occurring objects and providing comparisons between rough and cut material. Among the documented illustrations is a pink topaz crystal in matrix, reproduced on p. 38 and subsequently cited in the gemmological literature on Pakistani topaz.