Just purchased this Gem Series book from Amazon and can't put it down. There are some
incredible pictures. Good eye candy for "pearlifils."
Interesting little tidbit:
On page 37 (2002 revised edition) it mentions that in 1980 a Tahitian Black Pearl necklace with 27 pearls and ruby enhancer sold for less than $200,000. By mid- 1990's the same necklace was auctioned in New York for almost $800,000!!! and immediately resold in Japan for twice the auction price.
Wow -- talk about a return on investment.
Good reading for newbies.