Books

Gems and Gemmology

An Introduction for Archaeologists, Art-Historians and Conservators

Authors: Karampelas, S., Kiefert, L., Bersani, D., Vandenabeele, P.

  • Richly illustrated, with many examples 
  • Includes a glossary of terms and suggestions for further reading
  • Provides a self-contained, didactic and interdisciplinary presentation of gems

This book provides a lucid introduction to the basics of gemmology. It familiarizes archaeologists, art historians and conservators with the science of gemstones and allows them to understand the basic concepts of their provenance, typology and treatments. Which are the main types of gems? What treatments can be applied? How does one analyse gems? How can gems contribute to archaeometrical research?This volume is written by four experts in the fields of gemmology and archaeometry and addresses both students who need an introduction to this field and professionals who want to refresh their knowledge of the topic. This work is part of a series of introductory texts that deal with a broad range of materials-related topics in archaeometry.

BOOK CHAPTERS

  1. Kiefert, L., McTainsh, G.H. & Nickling, W.G. (1996): Sedimentological characteristics of Saharan and Australian dusts. In: Guerzoni, S. & Chester, R. (Ed.): The Impact of Desert Dust Across the Mediterranean. Kluwer, 183-190
  2. Kiefert, L., Hänni, H.A. & Ostertag, T. (2001): Raman Spectroscopic Applications to Gemmology. In “Handbook of Raman Spectroscopy“, I.R.Lewis & H.G.M.Edwards (Editors), Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York Chapter 11, 469-489.
  3. Häberli, S., Kiefert, L. (2003): Nulla parte mirabilior. Zur Verwendung von Edelsteinen in der Antike, Seite 30 – 34. In: Willers, D., Raselli-Nydegger, L.: Im Glanz der Götter und Heroen, Verlag Philipp von Zabern, Mainz am Rhein, Deutschland.
  4. Kiefert, L., Chalain, J.-P. & Häberli, S. (2005): Case Study: Diamonds, Gemstones and Pearls: From the Past to the Present. Chapter 22 in: Edwards, H.G.M. & Chalmers, J.M. (Eds): Raman Spectroscopy in Archaeology and Art History. Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, XXI + 476 pp.
  5. Schmetzer, K., with contributions of Bosshart G., Epelboym, M., Kiefert, L. & Malsy, A.-K. (2010): Russian Alexandrites. Schweizerbart Science Publishers, 141 pp.
  6. S. Karampelas, L. Kiefert (2012). Gemstones and minerals, in: Analytical Archaeometry: Selected Topics (edited by H.G.M. Edwards and P. Vandenabeele), Royal Society of Chemistry publishing, pp. 291-317.
  7. L. Kiefert, L., Epelboym, M., Kan-Nyunt, H. P. & Paralusz, S. (2012): Chapter 8b in Chalmers, J.M., Edwards, H.G.M. & Hargreaves, M.D. (Eds). Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy in Forensic Science: Applications to the Study of Gems and Jewellery (pages 455-468), Wiley, Chichester.
  8. Kiefert, L., Hardy, P., Schollenbruch, K. & Xu, W. (2018): New Case Studies: Diamonds, Jades, Corundum and Spinel. In: Vandenabeele, P. & Edwards, H. (Eds): Raman Spectroscopy in Archaeology and Art History. Royal Society of Chemistry, 2019, 254-270.