Gem and Lapidary Materials: For Cutters, Collectors, and Jewelers

Rating:
Summary: useful for begginers and pros
Review: 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 containing valuable information on just about any subject you can think of. One thing in particular that I found to be one of the books best qualities is that it's not only an excellent book for source but also an excellent book for resources. It is not in the least boring and you won't want to put it down. It is one of those books that will become worn and torn with age because you'll refer to it frequently over the years to come. My copy is fairly new and already showing signs of wear. Not because of the quality of the material,it is bound very well and the paper on which it's printed is of a high quality which is good. If it was printed on cheap stuff you'd have to buy a new one every six months. For the professional and experienced rock hound a lapidary artist it is also an invaluable source of information and resources. Well worth the money where ever you purchase it and at what ever price you pay for it. It is usually backordred, I had to order 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 it here first, but I plan to buy a couple as gifts anyway. I can't say enough good about this volume. It's well put together, consise, and altogether an enjoyable experience-time and again. The content of the book isn't just the same old stuff you read time and again but instead, the latest technologies 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 with new twists and ideas that, at least on my part, never occured to me or my longtime lapidary companions. The content is consise and flows extremely smoothly from one page to the next. A thoroughly enjoyable experience for years to come. Thank you - Gordon Lockerd.

Rating:
Summary: useful for begginers and pros
Review: 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 containing valuable information on just about any subject you can think of. One thing in particular that I found to be one of the books best qualities is that it's not only an excellent book for source but also an excellent book for resources. It is not in the least boring and you won't want to put it down. It is one of those books that will become worn and torn with age because you'll refer to it frequently over the years to come. My copy is fairly new and already showing signs of wear. Not because of the quality of the material,it is bound very well and the paper on which it's printed is of a high quality which is good. If it was printed on cheap stuff you'd have to buy a new one every six months. For the professional and experienced rock hound a lapidary artist it is also an invaluable source of information and resources. Well worth the money where ever you purchase it and at what ever price you pay for it. It is usually backordred, I had to order 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 it here first, but I plan to buy a couple as gifts anyway. I can't say enough good about this volume. It's well put together, consise, and altogether an enjoyable experience-time and again. The content of the book isn't just the same old stuff you read time and again but instead, the latest technologies 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 with new twists and ideas that, at least on my part, never occured to me or my longtime lapidary companions. The content is consise and flows extremely smoothly from one page to the next. A thoroughly enjoyable experience for years to come. Thank you - Gordon Lockerd.