No comments about Gem Cutting: A Lapidary's Manual.

3 comments about Stone Crazy (A Crazy Little Series).

1. 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



2. Tracy's book, Stone Crazy, is a unique blend of artistic craft and written craft. She has created visual inspiration with her mystical dolls tucked within nature's stones. After reading her book I was hooked and now plan to collect the entire Little Crazy Series. Check out, Shell Crazy, Tree Crazy, Snow Crazy, Coffee Crazy and I am sure others yet to be created!!! Also take time to visit her website www.tracygallup.com where she displays her many dolls and illustrations. Such a fun read, gift and collectible.



3. This book is fun for kids and grown ups. Is beautifly done. It makes a very good present.

3 comments about Opal Cutting Made Easy (Jewelry Crafts).

1. 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"



2. 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!



3. 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.

1 comments about Gems and Jewelry: All Color Guide.

1. 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.

   I had the first edition, lost it, discovered the 2nd edition, was happy. Even if you're not a gem-shopper (I'm not), the book's worth it for the zillions of full-color photographs alone: you can *see* what all these gemstones look like.

   Arem discusses carats vs. karats, gem-cutting, mining, trivia and lore on various gemstones...a lot. There are other books on the same subject, of course, but this one's a decent survey.

No comments about Techniques of gem cutting: A lapidary manual.

1 comments about Gems & Jewelry Appraising: Techniques of Professional Practice.

1. The material was as advertised. No problem!

3 comments about Facet Cutters Handbook (Gembooks).

1. 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!



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



3. 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.

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

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



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



3. 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.



4. 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.



5. If the author would have taken the extra expense of having photos verses drawings, I would have given this book 5 stars. The projects are awesome but the more detailed ones are hard to visualize and follow from looking at his diagrams and drawings.

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

1. 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!



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



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



4. 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.



5. 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.

4 comments about Introduction To Lapidary (Jewelry Crafts).

1. 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.




2. Oh my goodness! Such a great resource for information on all aspects of lapidary and jewelry design! This is a must-have reference!



3. This book is great for beginners. It contains a lot of good information covering a wide range of lapidary subjects; such as faceting, cabbing and tumbling. It also covers most of the equipment you would need and gives advice an purchasing the equipment.



4. The book arrived quickly and was a good price. It is a good book for beginners in rock grinding and related subjects. It will get a beginner started. I recommend it.