Yesterday I gave back the Precious (after copying roughly 110-120 pages out of it, heh.) I now feel comfortable, even confident, that the material I have from it will carry me through quite nicely until the next edition comes out (which hopefully I can purchase, before it too costs $695+.) In truth, not only the value but the sheer weight was a relief to unload on the front desk; it took up a lot of space in my laptop backpack, and added five pounds of weight to boot.

I have ILL requests out for several books recommended by the author of Ruby & Sapphire, including one I received yesterday, a 13th century Arab text on gemstones, recently translated by a fluent gemologist. I’m also getting some fun books for a change — the jewels of Queen Elizabeth II, a book on Cartier, the jewels of the Russian Tsars — for inspiration. Gemstone research is my hobby and fascination now, but that doesn’t mean it’s all research-research. I need my visuals too. ^^;

Having tea today; must go ready myself for such a lovely surprise. Wonder if they’ve restocked the violet-rose pastille tea yet?