by Neil Landman, Paula Mikkelsen, Rudiger Bieler & Benneth Bronson Written by the curators of the internationally traveling "Pearls" exhibition created by New York's American Museum of Natural History and Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History, this book is the definitive resource on pearls. This lavishly illustrated chronicle combines science, history, and beautiful objects both natural and crafted. The authors draw on their varied disciplines to explore all aspects of pearls and the mollusks that produce them -- biology, gemology, anthropology, mineralogy, ecology, conservation issues and the decorative arts. 232 pages. Includes 194 plates in full color and 3 maps. Hardcover. 11" x 9".