The Gem Cutters Handbook is ideal for those who facet or collect colored gemstones. The book features briefs on popular and collectible gemstones, hundreds of color photos, articles, and charts detailing gem characteristics, journal pages for diagramming your gems, notes and intake forms, and pages for recording your gemstone purchases. A convenient pocket is built into the back cover for storing notes or receipts. Includes a ribbon marker and elastic closure. It provides reference details for each gemstone, such as critical angle, refractive index, specific gravity, hardness, and more. Chapters cover heat treatment, gemstone clarity types, gemstone repairs, traditional and modern birthstones, doping techniques, and much more. Dan Lynch is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and has a degree in Geology from West Texas A&M University. Dan has been faceting gemstones for over 20 years and is a former President of the United States Faceting Guild.