The World of Opals

Rating:
Summary: The World of Opals
Review: A fascinating, well concieved and presented tome on opals. It is both a good read and a good reference. However, I find it extremely vexing when the text directs me to a photo of a colorful opal only to discover that photos accompanying the text are in black and white. How asinine on the part of the publisher to effect such economies on a book that cost over $90.00. The photos might just have well been of anthracite coal lumps.

Both the author and the reading public would have been much better served if the publisher had eliminated entirely these black and white photos which proved such a source of frustration.

I'm aware there is a 16 page signature of color. It would not have cost much more to have made this a 32 page sig amalgamating the text pictures. If this book goes into subsequent printings I hope what I perceive as a glaring error is corrected.

Again, let me stress that I enjoyed the book immensely, but what could have been an A+ tome is a B-.

Rating:
Summary: The World of Opals
Review: A fascinating, well concieved and presented tome on opals. It is both a good read and a good reference. However, I find it extremely vexing when the text directs me to a photo of a colorful opal only to discover that photos accompanying the text are in black and white. How asinine on the part of the publisher to effect such economies on a book that cost over $90.00. The photos might just have well been of anthracite coal lumps.

Both the author and the reading public would have been much better served if the publisher had eliminated entirely these black and white photos which proved such a source of frustration.

I'm aware there is a 16 page signature of color. It would not have cost much more to have made this a 32 page sig amalgamating the text pictures. If this book goes into subsequent printings I hope what I perceive as a glaring error is corrected.

Again, let me stress that I enjoyed the book immensely, but what could have been an A+ tome is a B-.

Rating:
Summary: An extensive history of opal mining with special finds noted
Review: For the last 10 years, opals have mystified me with their uniqueness. I wanted to know more!!. Boy did I get an eye full. This book is full of history(before the time of Christ), science(but not overwhelming), locations(general), and special finds that have been made since recorded history. If I found a person looking for more information about the opal, I would surely recommend this book. I was hoping that it would have contained more information concerning the lapidary side of the industry. Even though I was disappointed in this area, I was extremely pleased in the information that the book shared.

Rating:
Summary: Grossly overpriced
Review: Of the many books I've read on precious opal, all of which command comparatively high prices because of the limited market, this book is by far the most disappointing. True, the author has visited many of the opal sites world-wide, but so have I. While the anecdotal values are good, and there is a comprehensive explanation of opal formation theory, these are the same theories and stories found in many other similar books. I kept waiting for something new that never came. Then I was at the end of the book feeling cheated. This is a better than average book, and should be priced around $40.

Rating:
Summary: The definitive guide to opals!
Review: This is an Amazing Book! If you like opals, gemstones, or jewelry, you will love all the information provided in this extremely thorough, and well written book. The book takes you through the way opals are really formed. (Satisfying the scientist in us all). Then it takes you into the history of all the amazing opal finds around the world and where to find your own opals. (satisfying anyone who wants to know how the opal trade works). It also wonderfully describes the worlds most magnificent opals ever found. Including one of the largest solid opals ever found, The Bonanza found by Keith Hodson. (capturing the jewelry lovers).
If you want to know anything about opals, you've got to get this book!