Gemstones

“Gemstones — a Concise Reference Guide by Robin Hansen is a book which provides up-to-date data on gemstones and contains more informative reading than many similar, small-format gemmological reference books. […] It will be a worthy source of information to students of gemmology, mineralogy and all readers with an interest in ornamental stones.” – Susan M Stocklmayer * Australian Journal of Mineralogy Volume 23(1) *“Cleverly, the author never forgoes an opportunity to convey valuable information and ground the diversity of the gems described in their broad-ranging origins, structures, uses and histories. The author’s passion and respect for all of these gems is obvious.This book is superbly written and organised, and is accessible and concise. It covers sufficient gemstones to be a valuable ‘ready reckoner’ guidebook in the library of gemmologists and would be an excellent adjunct textbook for gemmology students.” – Michelle Clark * The Australian Gemmologist Volume 28(1) *

Robin Hansen developed a love of minerals and geology while growing up in her hometown of Perth, Western Australia. She earned a Bachelor of Science from Curtin University, then worked for three years in the mining sector before moving to London and settling into a position in the private mineral collector business. During the following decade she complemented this role with a Diploma of Gemmology through the Gemmological Association of Great Britain and was awarded the prestigious Tully Medal. She has been Curator, Minerals and Gemstones at the Natural History Museum, London since 2015, and feels privileged to help care and manage this magnificent collection of more than 185,000 specimens.