To help you to be a smart buyer, this book discusses in detail how colour, shape, cut, clarity, transparency, treatments and geographic origin affect the value of rubies, sapphires and emeralds. The guide also explains how to distinguish imitation and synthetic stones from those that are real and natural. Each concept is illustrated with either photographs or line drawings. Many tips are given on buying, selecting, documenting and caring for these rubies, sapphires and emeralds.