Lapidary Books

Introduction To Lapidary (Jewelry Crafts)

Pansy D. Kraus

Amazon Price: $14.93 List Price: $21.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Krause Publications - Model: 7266-3 Amazon Marketplace: 56 new & used starting at $4.99

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Photography -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Photography -> General AAS
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Sculpture -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Lapidary Explained - A Great Starters Guide 4 out of 5 stars.
239 of 240 people found this review helpful.

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 many pictures and photos together with an easy to read common sense approach to Lapidary and the equipment.

Each section provides information on equipment, methods, materials, and techniques for producing that perfect work of art !

Key sections include; a brief history of lapidary, rock tumbling (polishing rough shaped stones), cabochons (polished curved stones - eg: Agates), lapping gemstones (flat polished stones), gem sphere and bead making, inlay/mosaics, gem carving (eg: Jade), and faceting (eg: Polishing Sapphire and Topaz).

Kraus has also included a section on general technical data that is essential for any one interested in Lapidary. Tables and charts are provided on; gem and material properties, conversion tables, critical angles and key speeds for cutting and polishing stones.

An additional section is also provided with useful references and magazines.

Lapidary for Beginners is an essential for anyone interested in starting this interesting and fascinating hobby. A good place to start for beginners which will give you a great reference as you pursue the different kinds of lapidary.

Editorial Review:

by Pansy D. Kraus -- An authoritative introduction & how-to on rock tumbling, making cabochons, lapping and more. Softcover, 196 pgs.

The Art of Gem Cutting: Including Cabochons, Faceting, Spheres, Tumbling, and Special Techniques (Gembooks)

H. C. Dake

Amazon Price: $5.50 List Price: $5.50 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Gem Guides Book Company Amazon Marketplace: 12 new & used starting at $4.00

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> History & Criticism -> General AAS
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Instructional & How-To -> General
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Lapidary

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

the art of gem cutting 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The information in this book was a great help for me to understand the
precision methods of preparing raw gems for market.

the art of gem cutting 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

good little
book with a lot on information a little dated but still very useful

Lots of information 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is definitely not a book for beginners! For anyone wanting to know the ins and outs of gem cutting there is much to learn in the pages.

Good Basic information 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Some how-to books end up being guess how-to. This book covers the subject in an easily understood, straightforward manner. The information develops as you would use it and does not jump from subject to subject.

Great Book 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

What a great Book!!! Everything you need to know for the basic start up as well as for the novice!! Would recommend it for everyone interested in Gem Cutting or starting up your own operation!!

Facet Cutters Handbook (Gembooks)

Edward J. Soukup

Amazon Price: $5.00 List Price: $5.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Gem Guides Book Company Amazon Marketplace: 7 new & used starting at $3.39

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Sculpture -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Sculpture -> General AAS
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Lapidary

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

The Ideal Companion for the Glenn & Martha Vargas collection 5 out of 5 stars.
56 of 57 people found this review helpful.

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!

Too Difficult 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Informative, you need to be advanced in your craft in order to use this book.

Learning 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The book was interesting but not as informative as I had hoped. Some of the info was too "clinical" and not really what I would expect from a Handbook. When I write a handbook it contains step by step instructions for anyone to pick it up and not be confused. I was hoping for some pointers or where to obtain tools such as dop sticks. It was a good buy though.

Moods in Wire : An Extended Guide to the Fine Art of Wirewrapping (2nd Ed)

Ellsworth Sinclair

Amazon Price: $19.77 List Price: $29.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Originals by Ellsworth Amazon Marketplace: 18 new & used starting at $17.00

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Reference -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Reference -> General AAS
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Beadwork

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Moods in Wire 2 out of 5 stars.
3 of 8 people found this review helpful.

I don't care for this book. The instructions aren't very good in my opinion. I wish I hadn't bought it.

wire wrapping 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Detailed instructions accompanied by clear pictures aid the wire worker in moving from beginner to more advanced projects.

Moods in Wire 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The layout of the book and pictures are not as good as other books I have purchased, though I do like the artist's wire wrapping designs a lot.

Nice Variety of Designs 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Moods in Wire : An Extended Guide to the Fine Art of Wirewrapping (2nd Ed)

I like the size of this book and like the layout. Sinclair give a good forewword with the usual basic tools and materials information then goes into the designs.

Others have commented on lack of ease reading the illustrations and I'm inclined to agree. The chapters cover rings, bracelets, earrings, pendants, stickpins, shark teeth, spider pins and crosses. I liked some of the designs, didn't care for others, but that is my taste and should not deter a customer from examining this book. I feel, however, that wire jewelry is as diverse as the individual who create it, and that should be the criteria for making the purchase. If openwork is your style, then this might be the book for you.

Stone Crazy (A Crazy Little Series)

Amazon Price: $9.95 List Price: $9.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Mackinac Island Press, Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 37 new & used starting at $4.50

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Science, Nature & How It Works -> Nature -> Fiction

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Quirky, fun, emotionally evocative 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Tracy Gallup is a talented and imaginative expert at creating unusual dolls that are quirky, fun, emotionally evocative, and connected to a stone. "Stone Crazy" is a compendium of full color photographic pictures that showcase her handmade figures, each of which is joined with an uncommonly distinctive stone and together - the figure and the rock - create a visual image that gives rise to a series of individualized stories. Each picture is provided a line or two of lyrical commentary that tells a story of that particular image. Also very highly recommended is Tracy Gallup's companion title "Shell Crazy" in which she uses the same figurine story telling process to create doll images joined to all manner of seashells.

John Taylor
Reviewer

Editorial Review:

Some people are crazy about stones. These ancient treasures from the earth delight us with their profound beauty and intrigue us with the mystery they hold inside. In Stone Crazy, their power to inspire takes a young artist on a creative journey. Gracing each page is one of Tracy Gallup's handmade figures joined with an uncommonly beautiful stone to tell a compelling story that will capture the hearts of children and adults.

Opal Cutting Made Easy (Jewelry Crafts)

Paul B. Downing

List Price: $8.95 By: Majestic Press Amazon Marketplace: 8 new & used starting at $41.83

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Sculpture -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Sculpture -> General AAS
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Lapidary

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Opal information at its best, everything you need to know!!! 5 out of 5 stars.
13 of 13 people found this review helpful.

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"

Editorial Review:

Within these pages you will successfully learn to cut Opal, step-by-step at your own pace. You will discover how to: Cut your first opal, Orient the color, Cut standard sizes, Make doublets and triplets, Treat matrix opal, Cut Lightning Ridge black, Mexican and Boulder opal, buy rough and much more.

Gemstones of Afghanistan

Gary W. Bowersox, Bonita E. Chamberlin PhD

Amazon Price: $70.00 List Price: $70.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Geoscience Press Amazon Marketplace: 4 new & used starting at $58.99

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Business & Investing -> Economics -> Economic History
Subjects -> Business & Investing -> Economics -> Natural Resources
Subjects -> History -> Asia -> Afghanistan

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

GEMSTONES OF AFGHANISTAN is the first comprehensive, fully-documented book on the geology, history, and lore of the gems and minerals of this war-ravaged crossroads between the Near East and the Far East. GEMSTONES OF AFGHANISTAN features stunning color photographs, original maps, and geographic coordinates of significant mines. The authors have compiled a wide-ranging and thorough set of references that, like the book, will prove invaluable to jewelers, gem buyers, geologists, historians, and those who seek to make a careful assessment of the riches Afghanistan has to offer. GEMSTONES OF AFGHANISTAN is the first complete reference on gemstones of Afghanistan - the results of 23 years of researching over 6,500 years of history. o Hardcover, glossy 81/2" x 11", 244-page collection edition o 110 photographs, maps and figures, including 52 in color o History of geology and gem mining in Afghanistan, describing mining methods and production o Detailed topographical and geological maps pinpoint gem and mineral deposits o Over 1,400 gem and mineral locations by coordinates o 2,000 years of geological, geographical and gemological exploration o Over 500 references and suggested readings o Color photographs of new cutting styles, carved gems and new jewelry designs

Gem Cutting: A Lapidary's Manual

John Sinkankas

List Price: $67.95 By: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company Amazon Marketplace: 5 new & used starting at $43.85

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Sculpture -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Sculpture -> General AAS
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Lapidary

Pearls: Ornament and Obsession

Kristin Joyce

List Price: $65.00 By: Simon & Schuster Amazon Marketplace: 16 new & used starting at $14.99

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> General AAS
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Lapidary

Editorial Review:

A visually stunning, one-of-a-kind history of the shimmering, lustrous object of beauty that has mesmerized humankind for millennia. Featuring 210 superb photographs, 168 in full color, Pearls traces the evolution of the pearl from sacred icon to timeless aesthetic symbol, a history that spans 4,000 years. Shrink-wrapped.

Beyond the Glitter: Everything You Need to Know to Buy, Sell, Care For, and Wear Gems and Jewelry Wisely

Gerald L. Wykoff

List Price: $17.95 By: Adamas Amazon Marketplace: 6 new & used starting at $33.12

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Business & Investing -> Investing -> General
Subjects -> Business & Investing -> Investing -> General AAS
Subjects -> Business & Investing -> General