I've always admired the beauty of pearls, but never known much about them. The folklore and history explained in this book makes it as much an enjoyable novel as it is an informational source. The knowledge I have gained from reading this book is invaluable. (Remember, guys! We women just LOVE pearls!)

A SUPER way to educate oneself before or during the process of selecting the right pearls.

Enjoy!

I recently became interested in pearls when I bought a very rare cultured mabe abalone pearl from US Abalone, a California abalone farm. Ms. Matlin's book emphasized just how rare, lustrous and valuable this pearl was, helping me distinguish between mine and the countless other pearls being cultured which pale in comparison in terms of quality, beauty and veracity. I am forever grateful to her for this! Also, learning about the history of pearls--from Cleopatra's ingestion of a beautiful accident of nature to the South Sea and Tahitian black cultured pearls' popularity today--has been a wonderful education for me. Her book covers ALL you'd need to know to be a wise buyer of pearls. I feel like a much smarter pearl buyer today--smarter than even many jewelry store proprietors who have revealed to me they don't realize that "freshwater pearls" are from a marine creature and not humanly manufactured!

I read this book and find it is an exccellent guide to the care of our emerging elderly. I understand that it is also very popular with the Youth In Asia and russia.

So speaks the bard, and so it is written. Pearl Jam is truly one of the greatest band of the 90's if not the century. This book helps give the band the honor they desevre buy going into detail on one of their first and greatest albumbs; TEN. Buy this book, and you won't be dissapointed. Peace.

I bought a diamond in the NY wholesale diamond center and after taking it to an appraiser recommended by a friend, found out it was treated (it had cracks that were filled with glass so that you wouldn't see them)! The appraiser ordered me not to buy any more diamonds, or any other gem, until I went out and bought a book called "Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide." If I had read this book BEFORE I purchased the diamond, I would never have made such a mistake. First, the book tells about the exact treatment used on the diamond I bought, along with all kinds of treatments used on diamonds and other gemstones. Bit I really couldn't believe it as I read an example of EXACTLY what happened to me on 47th street. There is was, my story! I now enjoy shopping for jewelry more than ever, have discovered gemstones I never knew about before, and more importantly, following the information the authors provided, I now know exactly what to do to ensure I'll never be cheated again. I can't thank them enough, or praise this book enough.

I bought this book after reading another review, and it was one of the smartest things I've ever done. I love jewelry, but after reading this book, I'm now much smarter about what I'm doing and I'll never buy jewelry again the way I used to go about it! I was recently ripped off, but now I now know what to aak, what to get in writing, and where and how to confirm the facts!In short, how to avoid ever being ripped off again. I also have a much better idea of what the price should be (thanks to the excellent price guides). It is also filled with great tips to help you get the stone YOU want rather than what the saleperson thinks you should buy, and wonderful design ideas too. And there is also great info on stuff like gold (for example, did you know that white gold has nickel in it, which some people are allergic to!). I also learned how to take care of my jewelry, especially pearls, which jewelers seem to know nothing about. In fact, I've just ordered "The Pearl Book" by one of the authors of this book.

I never knew there was so much to know, or how many choices were available to me. Now I do, and I can't thank the authors enough for the great service this book provides for people like me who love it all--diamonds, gemstones, and jewelry of all kinds.

Great book. Authors definitely had MY interests at heart! Clearly written. Easy, informative reading, filled with money-saving tips and advice to prevent my being an unsuspecting victim. I especially appreciated the chapters on "Questions to Ask Before Buying" and "What to Get in Writing." The extensive price guides also provided a very helpful guide to whether or not I was getting good value. My wife also appreciated the tips provide on how to get a larger stone within our budget (and still have a beautiful diamond) as well as the innovative design tips. This book made a real difference in how we went about choosing the stone and making the ring. Couldn't have done it so successfully alone. Recommended for anyone about to buy any important piece of jewelry.

This is certainly among the worst tab books available...the numerous (and rather ridiculous) mistakes in the lyrics department would be enough, but the consistently inaccurate and incomplete tablature cannot be forgiven. The entire record is listed in standard tuning, despite the omniprecense of open tunings in the rhythm department. In short, Im sure the band would rather you spent your time listening carefully with your headphones on in order to figure out the songs. Use this book and you will be confused.

Frankly, this book is somewhat of a joke to me (and should be to anyone who isn't completely tone deaf). There are omitted riffs and all sorts of inconsistencies throughout the entire book. Somehow the transcriber managed to BS his way through every song, completely overlooking the fact that Stone Gossard employs several open and altered tunings. Some of the leads aren't too bad, but there are some transcribed in completely the wrong position (IE 'Even Flow', which is transcribed in E when it should be D). And what's up with that transcription to 'Deep'? What an incoherent mess! Don't waste your money. This TAB book isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

This book is very accurate, now I can play, and sing along to pearl jam with no hesitation. Brilliant