News

New Payment Platform - Stripe

We have encountered numerous problems with PayPal so our payment platform has been moved to 'Stripe' to process all purchases. If you prefer not to use Stripe, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange an alternative payment method.

Printed Edition - Two Volumes

It's official. There are no more copies of the 5th Anniversary Printed two-volume edition.

New HTML5 Version Now Available

A new version of the 4th edition (two volumes) is now available that uses HTML5. This means that you no longer need Adobe Flash Player to view the book. Not only have we completely re-designed the layout of the book but we have added 286 pages with scores of new photographs, a new section on gem mining in Africa and Mayanmar, new pricing comparisions for all the major gemstones, a whole new approach to identifying gemstones and the option to view the book online! Between both digital volumes, there are over 1300 pages, 1428 colour photographs and 191 diagrams and illustrations!

Update Your Older Version for FREE!

As of October 22nd, 2019, the new HTML5 version is available. If you have an older version (regardless of the edition) that no longer works due to the blocking of Adobe Flash Player by some web browsers, please contact us immediately for a free upgrade to the 4th edition!

Globetrotting

Since the book was released on April 1st, 2013, it has been shipped to or downloaded in fifty-three countries including Canada, the U.S, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Australia (including Tasmania), New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea, South Africa, Ethiopia, Namibia, Madagascar, England, Spain, Germany, Portugal, France, Austria, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, Turkey, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Scotland, Ireland, Croatia, Romania, Hungary, the Ukraine, Israel, Russia, India, Sri Lanka, Iran, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, New Caledonia and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Where you can buy the book

In addition to our online store, the handbook is also available through the Gemmological Association of Australia, The Canadian Gemmological Association, the Instituto Gemológico Español, Lithographie.org, Vancouver Community College (Gemmology Program), Fashion Institute of Technology (New York), Augustana College, Gem Instruments (Gem-A), Sole Leone and the World Gem Foundation.

Corrections

While every effort has been made to avoid errors, it is inevitable with a book of this size. Please click here to see corrections that have been brought to our attention. These have been corrected in the new two volume HTML5 digital edition.

Upgrades

We want to ensure that the Handbook of Gemmology is the most up to date gemmological reference book available on the market. In order to achieve this goal, the book is regularly updated to reflect the fluidity of our industry. All registered users will be able to purchase future editions at a preferred price. Please ensure that if you purchase the book from a third party seller that you register your copy with us. To register, please email us at: rsvp@handbookofgemmology.com