Gems: Nature's Jewels

It's hard to believe that opals come from the same element that makes sand, but it's true. This book features that fact and many more about this beautiful gem. From the mines of southern Australia to pieces of very expensive jewelry, readers will see how opals go from raw stones to a fantastic finished product. Beautiful photographs present the rainbow of colors that brilliantly emit from these gems.

They're the red birthstone for the month of July, they're used in lasers and were even used in ancient battles-they're rubies! It takes a lot of hard work to mine for rubies and even more hard work to turn them into sparkling gems. Readers will learn about the many steps it takes to find, cut, and polish these gems. Vivid photographs show the work that goes into finding rubies and the glittering results of that work.

Emeralds are the most expensive gems in the world, but it takes a lot of time and effort for them to get that way. Readers will discover many interesting facts about this beautiful May birthstone that takes millions of years to form. Vibrant photographs capture emeralds at all stages, from the mines to beautiful pieces of jewelry.

What gem comes from the Sleeping Beauty mine? What gem was featured on the mask of the Egyptian king Tutankhamen and in Native American jewelry? It's turquoise. Readers will learn amazing facts about one of the only gems to be mined in North America. Captivating photographs show the variety of turquoise pieces that can be found throughout the world.

There are many different types of diamonds in the world. They come in a range of colors and can be cut into all kinds of shapes. This book shows readers that the way these different kinds of diamonds are created really isn't that different at all. Interesting facts and detailed photographs explain where these gems come from, how they're made into jewelry, and what makes them so valuable.

There are blue sapphires, clear sapphires, "fancy sapphires," and star sapphires. All of these valuable gems are featured in this book, with colorful photographs to show readers their beauty. Where do most sapphires come from? How much was the most expensive sapphire worth? These questions and many more are answered in the pages of this book.