Justme’s Comments (group member since Feb 09, 2016)

Justme’s comments from the Gemstone Reading Challenge group.

Hey there! Thanks for popping in!

This one has been tough...but I've finally got one for a summer read. Hopefully, it's worth reading after book 1 (Amethyst Eyes)!

Garnet Strength

Update...I'm going to keep looking...

Okay, let's go with something obvious...Garnet.

I will start looking for a suitable book...

Fossil Hunter is book 2 in the Quintaglio SciFi series.

I found the 1st book fascinating...there is a lot of science, particularly astronomy & biology (TRex). There is also a lot of thought put into the religion & affects on culture. I did not enjoy the hunting/killing parts...I couldn't help but side with the prey. Anyway, good read.

So, book 2...I was disappointed there wasn't more about fossils, since there is so much emphasis on science...what was there was too basic...even in other subjects (I felt like I was being talked down to). There are excerpts from the 'creator' which started out interesting, but became a distraction, and for me seemed to be flawed. So, still kept me engrossed & reading, but slightly lower rating than 1st. 4*

One more to go...

I'm still getting to this, but have my book picked out:
by Robert J. Sawyer

Well, the next Seasonal Challenge is coming up, so I'm going to fit in a book for this also.

F proves a slightly difficult letter, so I've chosen Fossil for the variety of possibilities. And a search for "fossil gemstones" brings up some really gorgeous images! I will have to think if I can narrow down to one thing in my collection...very difficult!

Haven't forgotten, but haven't found a good fit yet. Biz, Bis, Busy with other challenges, too.

I was pretty sure I'd learned this years ago, but looked it up:
"Emeralds are not as durable," he says. "They have natural cleavage planes and it might break. It's not about scratching, it's a chipping issue. An emerald is rarer than a diamond by far, and large emeralds are very expensive and exceed the costs of diamonds, but they don't have the same ability to take wear and tear."

Some fascinating Diamond facts:

While we are still learning about the interior of the earth, current information shows that diamonds are likely the most common gem in nature.

Outside the earth, diamonds are also common. A recent discovery shows that some stars collapse on themselves, creating giant diamond crystals. In the constellation Centaurus, there lies a white dwarf, that has crystallized into a diamond 2,500 miles in diameter and weighing 10 billion, trillion, trillion carats.

Well, I do have plenty of ideas for this one, but I'll see if there are any suggestions before I dive in...

Sigh...guess I got all the precious stones out of the way.
3.5*
This story was about a Scarlet Emerald, which I have learned is more rare than the rarest diamonds, also red. None of which is mentioned in the book.

"Red beryl (aka bixbite, "red emerald," or "scarlet emerald") was first described in 1904, and while it is closely related on a chemical level to both emerald and aquamarine, it is considerably rarer than both. (The mineral's red color is due to the presence of Mn3+ ions.)

The mineral's known distribution is limited to parts of Utah and New Mexico, and has proven exceptionally difficult to mine in an economically feasible fashion. As a result, some published estimates say rubies of similar quality (rubies being a rare gem, themselves), are roughly 8000 times as plentiful as any given red beryl specimen. Consequently, prices on red beryl have been known to reach as much as 10 grand per carat for cut stones."

So, here are some books I've read recently that had Diamond themes...they just keep popping up!

5*
3*
5*

No. "No, no, no, no, no"...to quote the 'h.' I read 4 chapters, 161 pgs per the reader. Then I looked at how many pgs I had to go...well, the book is supposed to be somewhere between 360-400 (depending on where you look)...but this said 840 pgs (due to 4 additional stories about the 4 weddings). Oh, hell no. I'm done.

If it was a beverage, I'd spit it out. I can read it, the writing is fine. But the story is supposed to be humorous romance. Not feeling either humor or romance...though it appears the romance is planned. It was PAINFUL. So, I'm just going to move on. I'd even rather read another 'Diamond' book than finish this one. 2 stars.

Did a search to make sure no other Sandra Hill's creep into my TBR.

Diamonds? I seem to be ambushed by Diamond stories, so why not?
Personally, I find a lot of other stones have more character...and maybe I'm a little biased because Diamonds, while they certainly can be lovely, are so over-hyped, not rare & result in too much violence. You can help to curb the violence by purchasing only vintage or estate jewelry, and boycotting all new 'blood diamonds.' There are even companies specializing in diamonds from non-conflict areas. But heck, between the violence & the cost, I just don't want to wear diamonds that much, either way.

Here's my book:
by Sandra Hill
You may ask why this one...well, I have a little (1000+ book) 'reminder' list & it just happened to be sitting at the top today, and got my attention...I must have seen it at some point years ago & said, "Maybe I'll read that someday." Plus it counts for my Romance Challenge for September.

I've made a little progress here & there. Close to finishing another challenge, and plan to read more here.

I was considering the 1st two books of Starship Seasons, which take place on the planet Chalcedony...a whole planet!
This is to remind me when letter 'C' comes around again!

I have located a book that wasn't 3rd or 5th in a series...not that I wouldn't mind reading some of them, but I didn't have all the books.
I will be reading by Gwen Hunter. I gave it 4.5*

The writing is entertaining, the descriptions fascinating (rockhounds will love this!), the mystery is so-so, the protagonist is a bit irritating (she misses SO much & doesn't 'do' enough...and when she does connect with her brother? "Davie?" "Brat?" Seriously?! I would be projecting the entire time anything I knew, hoping she'd pick it up!). Even so, I had to rate it high; I was tickled with so much of it...read it in one day.

I just read that the author also writes under Faith Hunter (paranormals, I think) and so this is early work. I'll put one of her newer books on my TBR.

Sorry, I'm not updating right now; computer woes, but I'll peek in & if there is interest, I'll make time for it. Until then, I'm backshelving it...though I still plan to work on the challenge when I can.

Well, this category picked itself...

I decided to read one for another challenge:
It's a Kate Diamond mystery, but it's about a stolen Ruby.

I cannot recommend this book...I gave it a 2 star. If you love Nancy Drew...well, you might like this.

So, about Corundum. I have some lovely rough from Africa, with 'recordkeeper' trianglular crystalization (showing on the surface of a hexagonal column). Both rubies & sapphires are different colors of aluminium oxide (Al2O3). At Mohs 9, it's harder than most others & commonly used as an abrasive. If I remember correctly, mine fluoresce under UV light.

I have chosen to read a new author...romantic suspense about stolen amber worth a fortune. Amber Beach
Interesting factual bits about amber, Russian history & world politics. Prompted me to study a couple hours on the countries that broke off, many having attempted to adopt a capitalist economic & politic policy, rather disastrous without the proper infrastructure. Also widened my knowledge on amber & really spoke to me regarding ancient people's motivations.
The suspense & romance were decent read, but the politics & triple dealing got a bit boring & dragged...not my cuppa apparently. Kept me reading, gave it 4*; worked great for this challenge.