Reviews (4)

Jade
From this heavy tome, you will learn how artists "let the jade speak tothem" before carving wondrous works of art.The properties of jade areperfect for carving because its molecular structure is tightly bound.Jadecan suffer great detail in carving without cracking or chipping. Jade
From this heavy tome, you will learn how artists "let the jade speak tothem" before carving wondrous works of art.The properties of jade areperfect for carving because its molecular structure is tightly bound.Jadecan suffer great detail in carving without cracking or chipping. exceptional worldly jade book
Extremely great book on the subject of jade. Book even includes the very rare today "Wyoming Jade"...should be a book devoted to that subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. General    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Lapidary    6. Sculpture    7. Antiques & Collectables    8. Carving & carvings    9. Rocks, minerals & fossils   

Reviews (10)

clear and easy-to-follow instructions
The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is it's black-n-white.
Moods in Wire
One of my best jewelry book purchases.A variety of projects with great illustrations and easy to read instructions.Wonderful source of new techniques in wire wrapping.I'm extremely pleased with this book.

Beautiful projects, great technique... photos, please?
This book really shows a lot of good techniques and covers SO much information on wire wrapping. A must have for the wire worker.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Beads & Beading    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Jewelry    5. Lapidary    6. Reference   

Reviews (1)

What? You don't already have this book???
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Subjects:  1. Amber    2. Amber art objects    3. Amber fossils    4. Gems    5. Jewelry    6. Lapidary    7. Nature    8. Nature / Field Guide Books    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Rocks & Minerals    11. Economic geology    12. Geochemistry    13. Gold & silversmithing    14. Jewellery & jewellery-making    15. Mineralogy   

Subjects:  1. Carving    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Gem cutting    4. Jewelry    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Opals    8. Rocks & Minerals   

Reviews (3)

This is the book you want
if the title interests you.Though it's a short book and could be read in an evening, it is jam-packed with all the information a newbie would want.I certainly did.And, am re-reading it.I can hardly wait to get the advanced opal cutting book.

GREAT INFORMATION FOR BEGINNERS!
I'm new to working with precious opals and this book helped me immensely. It has great step-by-step "how to's" for the novis opal cutter. Great addition to your "how to" books!

Opal information at its best, everything you need to know!!!
Paul Downing does a wonderful job of explaining everything you need to know about OPALS. From the simplest "which bulb to use for orientation" to "How to Fix Cracks". The title says it all. Anyone that owns this book can cut a fabulous opal. Information for identifying which way to cut, how to treat and maintain the best fire. Comprehensive charts for sanding grits and polishes. Guidelines for thickness of opals of various sizes. He scoffs at the horror stories and makes identifing and cutting opals so simple. Easy step by step in detail description and graphs to make a masterpiece. Anyone could master the art of opal cutting with this book. Keeps the best fire to be awed instead of in the drain pan. This is a wonderful, must have for anyone interested in opal crafting. "Better to be OPAL LOVER rather than HAIRY LEDTHUMB'S" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Gem cutting    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Opals   

Reviews (1)

Lapidary Explained - A Great Starters Guide
Introduction to Lapidary by Pansy D. Kraus is a 'breath of fresh air'. Kraus provides a general introduction to Lapidary as a hobby and the many different techniques that can be applied to gems (Agates), precious(Diamonds) and semi-precious stones (Sapphires). Kraus includes manypictures and photos together with an easy to read common sense approach toLapidary and the equipment.Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Gem cutting    5. Gems    6. General    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Lapidary    9. Decorative arts & crafts   

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Gem carving    4. Jewelry    5. Jewelry making    6. Lapidary    7. Art techniques & materials    8. Carving & carvings    9. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Lapidary   

Reviews (2)

Don't bother!
This book is extremely dated. It lacks practical "how to" information and technical detail for cabochon cutting. There is more detail for faceting, but not enough to actually do faceting. The language is stilted and verbose. It is written in a "tour guide" style, you would not get the impression that the author had actually done any of this kind of work himself. Don't bother!

Great lapidary for beginners!
This book will appeal to all rock hounds. It provides great lapidary techniques for everyone, from the novice to the expert.
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Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Art    3. Gem cutting    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Techniques - General   

Subjects:  1. Diamonds    2. Gem cutting   

Reviews (1)

The Ideal Companion for the Glenn & Martha Vargas collection
This was the first faceting book I obtained, even before owning a faceting machine!From the moment I started reading I understood.This is a (sadly) a fairly unique state of affairs for books relating to crafts and hobbies.Edward Soukup assumes no prior knowledge and explains everything in simple, down-to-earth terminology.He covers all the aspects of faceting that a beginner needs to know from materials & tools to dopping techniques, and from a standard brilliant cut (extremely detailed instructions) to more difficult cuts.Some excellent hints at the end, together with handy tables.So much packed into such a small volume.If you have the Vargas book(s) then this will make your collection complete.Don't start faceting without it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Guides    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Gem cutting    4. Lapidary    5. Reference   

Subjects:  1. Afghanistan    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Gems    4. Lapidary    5. Natural Resources    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Precious stones    8. Economic history    9. Geochemistry    10. Social history   

Reviews (10)

Good guide
Good book for someone interested in knowing what they have.It is based on using specific equipment, but does give the biginner a good understanding of what is needed, and how to use it.

Pros, but Cons as well...
When I bought this book I was looking for a way to indentify various stones that I inherited from my Grandmother. This book if great if you're looking at selling or profiting from your stones AND willing to spend $$$ in advance to do it. The book basically lists equiptment, where to buy it, how much it costs, etc... and then how to use said equiptment to identify stones. I was looking for something that would help me to identify stones without spending $1000 before hand.
A True Gem for Gem Lovers
As a professional Gemologist having studied gems extensively and also someone who helps instruct already certified gemologist, aspiring gemologist, gem and jewelry retailers (many are not gemologists), gem cutters, hobbyist and consumers, I find Gem Identification Made Easy to be a very worthwhile purchase. It is comprehensively informative, accurate, resourceful, inspiring, and articulate as appropriate for the intended audience with a wide diversity of gemological knowledge. And, it's fun! Let's face it, gems, and jewelry containing them, are expensive toys, and though the money used to purchase them are typically discretionary, I don't know anyone who wants to pay for something that is not what it is represented to be. Very good, basic gemological information contained in this book will pleasingly educate the reader of any of the categories above, but can also potentially save the reader from mistakes worth multiple orders of dollarmagnitude beyond the cost of the book (or the recommended basic tools which it explains how to use). The 3rd Edition provides updates that deal with new treatment processes, new synthetics and simulants and gemological evidence that will aid in their identification. I have many reference books on gemology in my library, and I proudly display and use this one. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Gems    3. General    4. Identification    5. Lapidary    6. Natural Resources    7. Precious stones    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Geology & the lithosphere   

Subjects:  1. Gem cutting   

Reviews (1)

pictures, history and buyers' advice
There are an awful lot of fantasy writers who would benefit in reading, if not this book, then one very like it.But that's not a recommendation.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Consumer Buying Guides    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts for Children    5. Gems    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry    8. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    9. Lapidary    10. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    11. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    12. Consumer guides & advice    13. Geochemistry    14. Jewellery & jewellery-making    15. Mineralogy   

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Folkcrafts    5. Jewelry    6. Lapidary    7. Nature/Ecology   

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. General    3. Lapidary    4. Architectural structure & design    5. Art / General   

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Gem cutting    3. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    4. Jewelry making   

Reviews (1)

useful for begginers and pros
I've been reading lapidary books and journals for years and you really can teach an old dog new tricks.If you're just starting out in the rock hound or novice lapidary world this is an excellent source book containingvaluable information on just about any subject you can think of.One thingin particular that I found to be one of the books best qualities is thatit's not only an excellent book for source but also an excellent book forresources.It is not in the least boring and you won't want to put itdown.It is one of those books that will become worn and torn with agebecause you'll refer to it frequently over the years to come.My copy isfairly new and already showing signs of wear.Not because of the qualityof the material,it is bound very well and the paper on which it's printedis of a high quality which is good.If it was printed on cheap stuff you'dhave to buy a new one every six months.For the professional andexperienced rock hound a lapidary artist it is also an invaluable source ofinformation and resources.Well worth the money where ever you purchase itand at what ever price you pay for it.It is usually backordred, I had toorder my copy, so buy it now while you can.Amazon.coms price is about 35%less than I paid for it and I'm ashamed of myself that I didn't look for ithere first, but I plan to buy a couple as gifts anyway.I can't say enoughgood about this volume.It's well put together, consise, and altogether anenjoyable experience-time and again.The content of the book isn't justthe same old stuff you read time and again but instead, the latesttechnologies used in the field of lapidary with just a hint of the old.There are some tried and true methods of doing things but presented withnew twists and ideas that, at least on my part, never occured to me or mylongtime lapidary companions. The content is consise and flows extremelysmoothly from one page to the next. A thoroughly enjoyable experience foryears to come.Thank you -Gordon Lockerd. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Gems    3. Lapidary    4. Metallurgy    5. Technology    6. Art techniques & materials    7. Carving & carvings    8. Gold & silversmithing    9. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (1)

Informative Outlook On Gemstones
This book is very factual, andits non-technical writing, makes it an excellent book for the hobbiest, or collector and yet still it maintains the standards for even the professional gem trade. If used as a guide, it is sure to be helpful in the selection of gems. Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Business/Economics    3. Gems    4. General    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Lapidary    7. Natural Resources    8. Precious stones    9. Science / Mineralogy