5161X1 First Printing. Charles E. Tuttle, Rutland: 1964. 224 pages. Hardcover with dustjacket. Good condition. Name of previous owner appears on front endpaper. Back endpaper is cracked. Features a scientific analysis of opal as a mineral and a gem stone, geological explanations of opal origins, definition of opal types, common and precious, description and brief history of the world's outstanding opal fields, description of opal mining methods, explanation of dealers' methods in buying and selling opal, history of the opal as a gem stone, expose of superstitions regarding opals, how-to-do-it hints for "rockhounds" and amateur lapidaries on purchase of opal, cutting and polishing, mounting, etc., and first-time publication of Wollaston's Journal, a fascinating record of early opal-mining days in Australia. Includes Index and photographs. $19.45USD
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