Renee Newman

Throughout history, pearls have been treasured for their beauty wherever they've been found -- from China to the Persian Gulf to Mexico and beyond. Before the creation of cultured pearls, natural pearls were incredibly rare, considered symbols of wealth and power reserved for the elite. With the pearl culturing revolution, pearls became widely available, and they remain an iconic fashion staple for celebrities, athletes, royalty and everyone in between. This lavishly illustrated guide -- which features hundreds of photos, maps and diagrams -- covers everything from identifying, culturing and evaluating these gems to the captivating stories of some of the world's most sought-after pearls. Pearls includes chapters on: Why pearls are so prized -- Pearl symbolism and admiration throughout the ages and a showcase of the most prized pearls in history Natural vs. cultured pearls -- Explanation of the sources of each and how a layperson can identify them Pearl value factors -- A list of the main factors for evaluating pearl quality and price Akoya pearls, South Sea pearls, black pearls and freshwater pearls. These chapters discuss the sources and qualities of each type of pearl and gives readers tools to evaluate them Pearls produced by sea snails, scallops, clams, saltwater mussels and nautiluses Pearl processing and treatments -- How pearls can be treated and tests that can be done to see if a pearl has been treated Imitation pearls Pearl jewelry -- Examples of pearl jewelry from the 18th century to the modern day Wearing and caring for pearls -- Tips for wearing a strand of pearls as well as methods of cleaning and storing pearls. As useful as it is beautiful, Pearls will be a welcome guide for anyone who has felt the allure of these spherical gems.

This book sets out to unpack the human skills, qualities and practices necessary for sustainability leadership and change-making in these complex and urgent times. Told through the authors’ own experiences of being involved in sustainability and change processes over many years, as well as their shared experience in sustainable leadership education, the book explores the intersections between leadership, sustainability, complexity thinking and more. The chapters present a theoretically grounded framework for understanding sustainability leadership – from creativity to collaboration, self-reflection to dialogue across diversity, fostering care and courage, and how we can enable and build these qualities in ourselves and others. Peppered through the book are also conversation excerpts with other sustainability leaders who share insights into their real-life experiences of change-making – the messy, the complex and the beautiful. A must read for anyone interested in making change – social change makers, business educators, government officials, and other practitioners interested in creating change towards sustainability, whether that be in a formal leadership role or through informal efforts to shift the system and improve the lives and wellbeing of people and planet in partnership.

This book sets out to unpack the human skills, qualities and practices necessary for sustainability leadership and change-making in these complex and urgent times. Told through the authors’ own experiences of being involved in sustainability and change processes over many years, as well as their shared experience in sustainable leadership education, the book explores the intersections between leadership, sustainability, complexity thinking and more. The chapters present a theoretically grounded framework for understanding sustainability leadership – from creativity to collaboration, self-reflection to dialogue across diversity, fostering care and courage, and how we can enable and build these qualities in ourselves and others. Peppered through the book are also conversation excerpts with other sustainability leaders who share insights into their real-life experiences of change-making – the messy, the complex and the beautiful. A must read for anyone interested in making change – social change makers, business educators, government officials, and other practitioners interested in creating change towards sustainability, whether that be in a formal leadership role or through informal efforts to shift the system and improve the lives and wellbeing of people and planet in partnership.

The beauty and sparkle and mystique of diamonds is unmatched by that of any other gem in the world. Since early times, diamonds have been treasured as good luck charms, remarkable tools and status symbols and have been worn, collected and presented as lavish gifts. Today, diamonds remain among the most sought-after gemstones and continue to hold their value through good times and bad. In Diamonds, author Renée Newman, a graduate gemologist and author of many trade-level handbooks on gemstones, invites the reader on a journey into the fascinating world of diamonds. This lavishly illustrated guide — which features hundreds of photos, maps and diagrams — covers everything from mining, cutting and evaluating diamonds to the romantic histories of some of the world’s most valuable stones. Diamonds includes chapters on: ; What a diamond is — its significance from antiquity to the present day and what it represents from different perspectives ; The process and history of mining diamonds — the locations (both modern and historical) as well as the techniques used to mine diamonds ; The evolution of diamond cutting — how a diamond is processed and what are the key cuts and shapes to know ; Diamond jewellery through the ages — how diamonds have been used in jewellery from pre-Georgian times to today ; Evaluating and pricing diamonds — how diamonds are priced based on their many value factors, such as colour, carat weight, cut, clarity, and so on ; Man-made diamonds ; The remarkable benefits of diamonds. As beautiful as they are precious and as useful as they are decorative, diamonds continue to fascinate and allure. Diamonds will be a welcome guide for anyone who has felt the romance and power of these fascinating gems. It will also be a useful resource for professionals in the jewellery trade.

This guide provides concise, interesting and practical details on uncommon gems that are now being used by designers to create distinctive jewelry. It not only lists the identification properties of the gems, but tells you where they are found, how they are used, why they are unique, how they are priced, and how to care for them. High quality photos show the different colors, cutting styles and varieties of each gem and give you ideas on how each can be used creatively in jewelry. Written in a succinct, user-friendly style, this is a companion book to Newman's "Gemstone Buying Guide" and an ideal reference for jewelers, sales associates, appraisers, gem collectors, gemology students, gem dealers and consumers. The following gems are discussed and illustrated in Rare Gemstones: amblygonite, andalusite, apatite, aragonite, axinite, azurite, benitoite, bixbite, brazilianite, bronzite, calcite, cobaltocalcite, charoite, chrysocolla, cuprite, danburite, diaspore, diopside, dumortierite, enstatite, epidote, fluorite, gaspeite, hauyne, hematite, hemimorphite, howlite, idocrase, jeremejevite, kornerupine, kyanite, larimar, lepidolite, magnesite, marcasite, maw-sit-sit, moldavite, obsidian, pectolite, phenakite, phosphosiderite, prehnite, psilomelane, pyrite, red beryl, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, scapolite, scheelite, seraphinite, serpentine, sodalite, sillimanite, smithsonite, sphalerite, sphene, sugilite, taaffeite, titanite, tugtupite, unakite, variscite, vesuvianite and zultanite.

This is a full-colour guide to identifying and evaluating alexandrite, andalusite, chrysoberyl, cat's-eye, kyanite, sillimanite, common opal, fire opal, dinosaur gembone, tsavorite, rhodolite, spessartine, demantoid, malaya, grossular, and other garnets. This is the second in a series of books that explores the history, lore, properties, qualities and geographic sources of lesser-known gems. The book shows you with close-up photos how to make visual judgements about clarity, transparency, colour, cut quality and brilliance. It also provides tips on gem care and on detecting imitations and gem treatments. The healing and metaphysical properties of the gems are also addressed. Written for both consumers and professionals, it's easy to read, well-organised, packed with professional colour photographs and full of fascinating information.

Written for professionals, and lay people, this handbook outlines the benefits and drawbacks of the various setting styles, mountings, chains, and metals such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium, titanium, stainless steel and tungsten. It also provides information and colour photographs on gemstones, birthstones, and fineness marks.

The perfect pocket-sized companion for those travelling and thinking about purchasing jewellery or stones. Renee Newman, author of the highly respected gem and jewellery guides including 'Diamond Ring Buying Guide' and 'Gold and Platinum Jewelry Buying Guide', has written a concise buying guide covering gems, gold and platinum that's a perfect handy reference. Here is important information on how to select jewellers and appraisers; a chapter on notable gem sources and which countries are noted for specific gems; information on coral, ivory and amber; precautions one must take when buying from an unfamiliar source; and customs regulations, duties and how to use lab reports. This guide will become an indispensable resource that will be used time and time again.