Alan Hodgkinson 24/3/37 - 7/10/24
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Alan Hodgkinson announce his death. We share this news here with Alan's gemmological family spread across the World and a lifetime of friendships.
Alan will live on in our hearts, and in the teaching of gemmology that was his passion and his gift.
The time has come too soon to raise a glass with us to celebrate a life well lived.
Alan Hodgkinson 24/3/1937 - 7/10/2024
Husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend, teacher & gemmologist.
Sales of Alan's book have been suspended at this time. 'Gem Testing Techniques' will be available to purchase on this online store again either later in the year or early next year. Any announcement of availability will be made on the Gem Testing Techniques Facebook page.
Alan Hodgkinson
Gem Testing Techniques by Alan Hodgkinson.
This third printing of Alan's book is unchanged except for minor corrections and an updated, single-page preface.
To keep this new print run distinct from the first 'sapphire' and second 'amethyst' printings, we have changed the cover colour to 'garnet'.
We are holding the price at £165, the same as the second printing for a limited time. The price will increase later in the year to reflect increased production costs.
We are the official retailer of Gem Testing Techniques.
Availability & Shipping
AVAILABLE FOR POSTAGE/SHIPPING TO A LIMITED NUMBER OF COUNTRIES/REGIONS.
We currently ship to Scotland, Wales, England, United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, India and Hong Kong. Further locations may be added later.
We cannot ship to the European Union, Europe's Single Market or Northern Ireland at this time.
We have reduced shipping charges to reflect recent lower surcharges in relation to distribution since the pandemic.
UK Postage/shipping £10 – added at checkout.
International shipping prices are approximate and may vary slightly depending on exchange rates at the time of purchase.
Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, South Africa, Thailand, UAE, USA –postage/shipping £25 – added at checkout.
New Zealand postage/shipping £35 – added at checkout.
Our shipping fees are being affected by fuel surcharges at this time. As fees change we will reflect this in the shipping costs.
You can only order one copy per transaction/order but you can come back for more than one transaction in a new session.
Additional Charges
When a package is delivered internationally, it may be subject to import taxes, customs duties, and/or fees imposed by the destination country. The end customer/buyer is responsible for any fees incurred if/when transported across international borders.
Testimonials
We welcome reviews on our Facebook page-
"The package is very well packed! There are so many protective layers! Thank you! And the contents of “Gem Testing Techniques” are unique! I just started learning gemology, and I’m collecting books about Gemology. This book is fantastic! I thought the contents would be basic, but no, they are on another level! It’s so rich! Sorry, I don't know how to say it, I’m bad in English. I’m taking Gem-A's FGA Foundation course. They are on different levels! Thank you for making such an excellent book. Much appreciated, truly."
SAI THAN TUN OO
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"So very happy I managed to get a copy of this 'bible'.
I love the way it's presented and it's enjoyable to read as well as being the first 'go to' book for any information needed as it's so easy to find what you are looking for.
I shall treasure it as well as continue to use it!"
Catherine Pengilly -
"I can not thank you enough for writing this book Alan, I reference it multiple times a week. It has become my go to book in gem ID. It never ceases to amaze me every time I open it up. The layout, detail and the amount of information inside is incredible. And your book tackles something that most lab manuals and other books do not, you explain why. Beautifully done! "
Melissa Allen
Photographs
Gem Testing Techniques is illustrated with many colour photographs. This image, showing a range of gas bubbles and curved striae in a synthetic ruby, is from the Magnification chapter.
Spectra
The spectroscope chapter features a comprehensive range of gemstone spectra arranged by colour.
Diagrams
A range of diagrams illustrate gemmological practice and principles.
Our Third Printing of Gem Testing Techniques is now available.
The third printing of Gem Testing Techniques with an updated, single-page preface and minor corrections.
Featuring a new 'garnet' colour cover.
ONLY AVAILABLE IN A LIMITED NUMBER OF COUNTRIES/REGIONS.
Further locations may be added later. Regrettably we cannot ship to the European Single Market or Northern Ireland at this time.
Blog posts
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Interview with Alan Hodgkinson
We caught up with Alan to chat about his lifetime exploration of gemmology.
Interview with Alan Hodgkinson
We caught up with Alan to chat about his lifetime exploration of gemmology.
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Realising Gem Testing Techniques
The first print run of Gem Testing Techniques (GTT) was a long time coming. Alan first contemplated the idea of writing a book on gemmology in the '70s through his...
Realising Gem Testing Techniques
The first print run of Gem Testing Techniques (GTT) was a long time coming. Alan first contemplated the idea of writing a book on gemmology in the '70s through his...
Damage in Transit & Returns
Shipping Policy-
Damage in Transit
If your book is damaged in transit please take photos of both the packaging and book itself. Without images of the packaging and book we cannot claim against Royal Mail or Parcelforce. Contact us within 3 days of receipt of your book to inform us of any damage. Our carrier may wish to send you a questionnaire directly to your email regarding the damage.
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Returns
If you are not happy with your book we will refund you once we take delivery of the returned book in the original packaging. Contact us first about returning your book by emailing gemtestingtechniques@gmail.com
Contact form
Information
The Book
Printed in Scotland by a printer with ISO 9001 Quality, ISO 14001 Environment, ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety and FSC Chain of Custody accreditation. Written, designed, published, printed and bound in Scotland in order to assure worker conditions.
Full colour throughout – the reprint has 556pp including a new, single-page preface. Case bound with head & tail bands and a marker ribbon. No book jacket.
Part-time Business
We release a small quantity of books each month for sale.
This allows us to fit our other work commitments and lives around selling the book.
We are not a 'fast turnaround' business. In most instances, we will ship your book within one week of payment clearance, however it may occasionally take longer than this.
It took Alan Hodgkinson a lifetime of gemmological exploration to create the content for Gem Testing Techniques. We think the book is worth waiting for and we hope you agree!
Correction to the First Edition
We found one error in the First Edition (though we are sure there may be others) which has been corrected in the reprint and that correction followed through to instances in the index. Page 392, Feld-18a, bytownite changed to labradorite. The second edition had a couple of minor graphic issues (slipped arrow etc.) that have been corrected in this third reprinting.
The Printing Paper
The paper for the book is FSC, PEFC, ISO 14001 and ISO50001 accredited and is ECF – Elemental Chlorine Free.
Our Packaging
1. Our book wraps are made from climate neutral, FSC certified Kraftliner grades and are 100% recyclable.
2. The plastic bag is made from 50% recycled material.
3. We use recycled paper wrap (when we can source it).
4. The pink bubble wrap bag is made of plastic.
5. We use tissue paper to wrap each book.
Postage/Shipping Charged at Check Out
We send the books with tracking and/or signature where possible.
UK postage/shipping £10 – added at checkout.
International shipping prices are approximate and may vary slightly depending on exchange rates at the time of purchase.
Our international shipping rates fluctuate depending on the surcharges we face.
*We cannot ship to the European Single Market or Northern Ireland at this time.
Additional Charges
When a package is delivered internationally, it may be subject to import taxes, customs duties, and/or fees imposed by the destination country. The end customer/buyer is responsible for any fees incurred if/when transported across international borders.