Translate

Friday, March 23, 2007

Gemcraft: How To Cut And Polish Gemstones

By Lelande Quick and Hugh Leiper
Chilton Company
1959

Chilton Company writes:

For the hundreds of thousands of devotees now engaged in this relatively new craft, here are the newest and most comprehensive techniques and information based on the combined experience of two leading experts in the field.

Beginning with a description of the properties and physical characteristics of gems, including synthetics and imitations, the authors show the craftsman how to get started, the equipment needed, how to saw, grind, lap, sand, and polish. They cover the grinding and polishing of cabochons, the cutting and polishing of faceted stones, with a special helpful section on dopping, carving and sculpturing gemstones, mosaic and intarsia, plus special polishing problems of gemstones.

Gemstone novelties are also included, such as bookends, clocks, lamps, ashtrays, agate handled silverware, dishes, and many others. One of the highlights of Gemcraft is the chapter on where and how to collect gemstones. Indispensable for the collector, this section is packed with interesting information. The chapter on special lapidary techniques and shortcuts is very valuable. The many clear, step-by-step photographs presenting every important process in gemcraft and the extensive bibliography and complete index make this the finest, most thorough book on the subject published.

No comments: