Introduction to Cabochon Cutting and the Lapidary Hobby


Book Description

This book is intended to be a guide for the beginner in the art of cabochon cutting and a brief overview of the lapidary hobby. No attempt is made to present all of the views on the various steps in the cutting, sanding, and polishing process. The steps described here are those used by the author to instruct beginners in his shop and have been refined by 20 years of cutting for both the hobby and commercial fields.




The Art of Gem Cutting - Including Cabochons, Faceting, Spheres, Tumbling and Special Techniques


Book Description

This antiquarian book contains a detailed and practical guide to gem cutting as a hobby, with information on cabochons, faceting, spheres, tumbling, special techniques, and more. An exhaustive manual with complete instructions for tool use and all the elementary information a prospective lapidary might need to know, this book constitutes a must-read for anyone looking to begin a hobby in gem cutting. The chapters of this book include: “Gem Cutting as a Hobby”, “Type of Equipment”, “Four Operations”, “Sawing”, “Mud Sawing”, “Diamond Blade Saws”, “Sawing Coolants Water Versus Kerosene”, “Diamond Saw Trouble”, “Power Feed Saws”, “Sawing Large Specimens”, etcetera. This vintage text is being republished now in an affordable, modern, high quality edition - complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on gemmology.




Introduction To Lapidary


Book Description

An authoritative introduction to all aspects of lapidary is provided here by Pansy Kraus. She describes the processes, tools, and equipment of each branch of this fascinating hobby, helping the reader choose a technique, get started the right way, and determine which tools will work best to achieve specific results. &break;&break;Kraus describes the considerable rewards of tumbling rocks, making cabochons, carving gem materials, lapping, cutting spheres, making beads, and faceting. She provides a coherent overview of a vast and complex field, from the elements of getting started to studio visits with lapidary artist, where we discover what may be possible. &break;&break;Olive M. Colhour produces breathtaking Florentine pietre dure portraits by color-matching stones to paintings. Then, she cuts and polishes each rock separately before assembling her sculptured mosaics. &break;&break;Jerry Muchna facets three-dimensional quartz sculptures. His "Great Moments in America" series includes The Spirit of St. Louis, with 695 facets, and Iwo Jima, with 6,511 facets. &break;&break;Hing Wa Lee combines traditional Chinese technique - using a fixed shaft with a foot treadle - with the use of a modern flex shaft to produce carvings of astonishing intricacy. Working with traditional jadeite and nephrite - as well as more unusual materials, such as sugilite - he achieves a unique blend of antiquity and modernity. &break;&break;Their work is shown in 27 exciting color plates, along with that of other artists featured in the studio visits.







The Art of Gem Cutting


Book Description




Lapidary As a Hobby


Book Description

Want to learn exactly how to get started doing lapidary and learn what the pros do? Discover The Secrets For Successful Lapidary That Teach You How To Cut Those Gemstones And Make Them Into An Object of Beauty Every Time...Even As A Beginner! Just Follow The Instructions And You'll Be Cutting And Polishing Gemstones Like A Pro In No Time! Are you ready to get started on your journey to becoming a skilled gem cutter - a lapidarist? Yes? Then let's get started! All too often a budding gem cutter will rush right out, buy the first stone and chisel they see at the hobby store, grab some other tools and head right back home for a weekend of creative fun. Sadly, the experience is usually less than positive and he ends up tired and dejected with nothing to show for his effort. The gem may be smashed to pieces and the tools end up in the rafters in the garage; the dream of an enjoyable hobby disappears forever. Another scenario that occurs frequently is trying to learn from a buddy or acquaintance presenting himself as a self-proclaimed "expert." You know the type. He knows it all and proceeds to let you know everything you are doing "wrong." Before you know it you have connected the experience with the jerk and you let the whole experience fade into oblivion never willing to try it again. It doesn't have to be like that. You can learn the basics of gem cutting and take it to whatever destination you desire. You can do it with your own copy of "Lapidary as a Hobby." You Can Get Started Right Away "Lapidary as a Hobby" gives you everything you need to get started. Not only will you learn how to select the right gems for your needs, you will learn also learn how to maintain your tools and equipment in optimum condition. Here's more: Are You Physically Prepared for Those Gem Hunting Expeditions? Although it is a very interesting hobby, many gem cutters enjoy going out to find their own rocks. But you have to be fairly fit to tramp over hill and dale to look for the best stones. Tools and Equipment. Some of the gem cutting equipment can be very expensive and it takes up a lot of room. However, there are ways and means to get access to it without having to buy it. Learn more inside. Handling Your Gems. After ten days in the tumbler your stones are finally ready to make into something special. You have to know a few techniques to ensure that each piece is set in the right manner to suit it and the jewelry that you are making from it. All About Finishes. There are several different kinds of sealers and finishes, each with its unique strengths and characteristics. Some kinds of work better on certain stones, depending on what you are trying to achieve. We want "Lapidary as a Hobby" to be an absolute 100% no-brainer for you. That's why you can order your copy with complete peace of mind. Tag: lapidary art, lapidary books, lapidary findings, lapidary for beginners, lapidary journal, lapidary journal magazine, lapidary magazine




Jewelry, Gem Cutting and Metalcraft


Book Description

This vintage book contains a complete and comprehensive guide to metal craft and jewellery making, with sections on gemstone-cutting and the proper identification of gem stones and gem minerals. Written in clear, plain language and full of and handy tips and invaluable information, this book is recommended for anyone with an interest in making jewellery, and it would make for a great addition to collections of allied literature. The chapters of this volume include: “Copper”, “Brass”, “Nickel Silver”, “Money Metal”, “Pewter”, “Soft-Soldering”, “Etching”, “Jeweller’s Saw and Frames and Blades”, “Paper Knives”, “Match Box Holders”, “Book Ends”, “Letter Holders”, “Desk Calendar”, “Tray Making”, “Making a Bowl”, etcetera. We are republishing this book now in an affordable, high quality edition - complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on gemmology.




Gemstone Tumbling, Cutting, Drilling & Cabochon Making


Book Description

Beginner Instructions, Professional Results! Gemstones are naturally beautiful, but you can make them glisten and shine. This beginner’s guide covers all the techniques you need to know: tumbling, cutting, face polishing and more. By following the authors’ simple approach, you’ll create finished stones worthy of displaying, selling or making into jewelry. Book Features: pertains to a wide range of popular gemstones, from agates to turquoise prevents frustration, with detailed photos and easy-to-follow instructions offers helpful tips from the authors’ years of experience provides information about recommended equipment and supplies briefly introduces jewelry making, with seven simple jewelry projects




Gem Cutting


Book Description

For over half a century, Gem Cutting has served as the go-to guide for beginners and experts alike. Offering a wealth of information for everyone, it starts with the fundamentals and leads logically to techniques and projects that will challenge even the most advanced cutter. Every step is described in detail and illustrated with drawings and photographs. Sinkankas covers common pitfalls and, wherever possible, offers hints on how to take money-saving shortcuts. Incorporating tips on operating equipment for greatest efficiency, he explains how to make or choose equipment for sawing, grinding, sanding, and other basic operations. Special chapters describe how to cut and polish cabochons, faceted gems, spheres and beads; how to tumble gems; and how to make carvings, engravings, inlays, and mosaics.




Handbook for the Amateur Lapidary


Book Description

Man was cutting, carving and polishing gems long before he began to leave written records of his doings. Many Museums have countless examples of the lapidary work done by those artisans and artists, who wrought from raw materials, with exceedingly primitive equipment, objects of art that our modern workers would be hard taxed to surpass. Today, in the Far East, native artisans with hand or foot driven wheels are producing perfect polishes on difficult gems, showing workmanship of which we amateurs with full complement of tools may well be envious. Gem cutting is only one of many arts that are old. Ceramics, wood working, metal working and so forth are old arts. The thing that is peculiar is that these other arts all have their extensive literatures. One may go to any public library and find many volumes on any of these subjects except gem cutting. These volumes are all-revealing, authoritative and detailed. But the subject of gem cutting is shrouded in mystery. Few have written even in generalities on the subject. The Author, several years ago, conducted a search for such literature. He found absolutely nothing. Much later he learned of and borrowed, a copy of Oliver Byrnes, “Handbook for the Mechanic, Artisan and Engineer” and found in it an exceedingly interesting chapter on gem cutting. But the volume was written about 75 years ago, probably had a very limited circulation, was never reprinted, and not one library in fifty ever heard of it. That is the only volume the Author has ever found that treats even briefly of gem cutting. This excludes of course such texts as “The Gem Cutters Craft” by Leopold Cleremont which have chapters on the technique of cutting, but that treat of it so generally that they cannot be used as instructions. The art for some reason has always been passed down from generation to generation by apprenticeship only. When the Author began the above mentioned investigation he was told “The cutting of gems can be learned only through an apprenticeship.” There is no desire here to picture the art as an easy one to learn nor to minimize the skill that is shown by the work of the professional lapidaries, nor to intimate that the professional could, if he would, reveal all his secrets in one brief volume. The desire is to lift the cloud of mystery that has always surrounded the operation and show that actually there is nothing mysterious in the practices of the profession, but only certain basic rules, which, if obeyed, will bring definite results. It is hoped that the instructions herein given are sufficiently explicit that the beginner in the work will have no especial difficulties. It is hoped also that they are not so tedious but that they will be readable by those who do not propose to cut gems but who are, nevertheless, interested in the operation.