This vintage book contains an interesting and practical study of the identification of gemstones, pearls, and ornamental minerals. A comprehensive and profusely-illustrated handbook for both novice and experienced practitioners, this volume is not to be missed by anyone with a keen interest in the subject. The chapters of this book include: “Crystallography”, “Physical Properties”, “Specific Gravity”, “Light”, “Measurement of Refractive Index”, “Colour in Gem Distinction”, “The Microscope”...

A funeral director reveals why anyone would want to hang out with dead bodies and other curiosities of a life spent inside a mortuary.With unusual anecdotes and unbelievable truth, funeral director and embalmer Robert Webster shares empathetic yet entertainingly quirky stories about the funeral business. He answers those embarrassing questions foremost in our minds and provides readers with behind-the scenes stories of what really goes on after you're dead with bot...

Letters to Guy by Lady Barker is a charming and insightful collection of personal letters that offer a vivid glimpse into Victorian society, family life, and the author’s experiences within the British colonial world. Written with warmth, wit, and keen observation, these letters capture everyday events, social customs, travel impressions, and reflections on culture and character. Lady Barker’s engaging narrative voice transforms ordinary correspondence into lively social commentary, reveal...

When the oft-golden box containing the dental remains of the Buddha gets stolen... again; the last surviving warrior monk and his hapless English friends pursue the suspect to an underground citadel in Cambodia.Following an exhaustive search and injecting chaos into every situation along the way, they discover a family of scientists had the box stolen to use the Buddha’s remains in an experiment that would not only have severe ramifications should they succeed, but change our lovea...

Hello, my young friends. My name is Story Teller Pearl.Here are some of my Amazing tales for you to enjoy.Our first story, Jasmine and William’s Enchanted Adventure, takes you to a mystical land, not far away.Our second story is a limerick. A short poem about a little girl and her best friend, a hungry GeckoOur Third tale follows the adventures of Percy, a lost pigeon, and his journey to find his way home.Our final tale is from the case files of Worl...

Getting old doesn't mean you can't have fun. It just means you know how to get away with it!Fossdyke Retirement Home has seen its fair share of quirky characters, but it's never seen the likes of these four geriatric rockers!To outsiders, they are sweet, funny, if not a tad bit ornery. To those in the know, they are meddlesome, rebellious, and in way over their heads. When chaos erupts, they're not far behind.What begin as ordinary days, where other...

Who in their right mind would kidnap the daughter of a high-ranking Vietnamese National Assembly member and the mad monk’s wife? Moreover… why?After receiving a chilling ransom demand, our hapless heroes go to Vietnam and while fumbling a rescue, they encounter an old foe, driven by obsession in his revenge driven quest.Outnumbered, they need to learn new skills if they want to defeat this adversary and survive the many challenges in both their adventure and personal circum...

This fast-pace Supernatural Thriller takes you from battles raging beneath turbulent seas to the dark stillness of space, where mortals, angels, and demons, battle to mold the populus of planet earth.Death comes to us all; whatever creed, colour, religion, or gender we are, it is an inescapable fact.For most of us, our work on this mortal plane is over, but for thefew, their job has just begun.Introducing, P.A.T.H., Paranormal Assisted Treasure Hunters; three psychically gifted ind...

Age is just a number and getting old doesn't mean you can't have fun. It just means you know how to get away with it… Viagra, Snuff, and Rock ‘n’ RollFossdyke Retirement Home has seen its fair share of quirky characters, but it’s never seen the likes of these four geriatric musicians who form a band called Fossils. Chaos erupts after winning a national competition, when a local DJ who entered their recording into the contest labels Fossils as a vibrant young rock band.Fearing the E...

Something to Read While Travelling is an informative and entertaining companion to accompany you on your travels.Something to Read While Travelling-THAILAND Contains useful information about Thailand, some of which you won’t find in travel guidebooks. Enjoy learning about: Popular tourist hotspots: Useful Tips: Thai Language Made Simple: Delicious Thai Recipes: Fun Quizzes and Brainteasers: Hilarious Jokes: Short Stories: and the full comedy adventure novel, SIAM STORM – A Thailand...

The dramatic climax to the Blue Fame SeriesIn its race to discover another planet to colonise for its overstretched population, the human race overlooked one thing.When a planetary event happens in the night sky, the Afterlife Guardians send the PATH team on three quests, the outcome of which will determine the fate of humankind.Should they succeed, people will continue with their safe but chaotic existence.However, failure could be a terrif...

This fast-pace Supernatural Thriller takes you from battles raging beneath turbulent seas to the dark stillness of space, where mortals, angels, and demons, battle to mold the populus of planet earth.Death comes to us all; whatever creed, colour, religion, or gender we are, it is an inescapable fact.For most of us, our work on this mortal plane is over, but for thefew, their job has just begun.Introducing, P.A.T.H., Paranormal Assisted Treasure Hunters; three psychica...