Jewellers’ quick reference guide to working with gemstones
Jewellers, have you ever experienced that heart-stopping moment when you have accidently damaged a gemstone…
As a gemmologist I don't like to see damaged or broken gemstones and as a jeweller I understand how frustrating it can be when that happens, especially when it might be avoided with a little additional knowledge.
Written specifically for jewellers, this guide can live on the bench ready to answer queries when designing or working on a piece of jewellery and includes some gemmological information which could help avoid these moments.
Covering familiar stones such as amethyst through to the more unusual such as sillimanite, each gemstone has information about its durability and whether it might survive a swipe from a file or abrasive wheel, the pickle pot, repairing or resizing, polishing or cleaning using steam or an ultrasonic cleaner.
So, before you throw that gem-set piece of jewellery into the barrel polisher or ultrasonic cleaner or light the torch to resize that ruby ring why not double check if there might be a reason not to…
£29.99
UK - free p&p (please choose this option at checkout)
Discounted shipping to Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Malta, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland & USA- you may have to pay import VAT (and customs duties, if payable) and a handling fee to your local postal service or authorities before delivery can be completed and will depend on the destination country. Please note - it is not possible to ship to a PO Box address.
If your country is not listed here, please email me and I will be happy to get a shipping quote for you or suggest any local stockists.
The "How to use" section explains the information tables included for each stone and gives further detailed information for the jewellery making processes.
Each stone has example photo/s and a table showing its durability and which jewellery making processes it may or may not survive and why.
On the opposite page is a description of the stone and details of any treatments, synthetics or imitations and stones with a similar appearance.
A5 in size with laminated covers to protect it on the bench - wire bound so that it can lay open for easy reference. 184 pages in total.
Contents
- How to use the book with explanations for each of the various jewellery making processes - covers durability (hardness, toughness and stability), abrasives, barrel polishing, casting in place, firing in a kiln, filing, pickling, polishing, steam cleaning, heat from a torch (including firing in metal clay) and ultrasonic cleaning.
- Gemmology and how can it help
- How to use a loupe and tweezers
- Visual clues of indications how a gemstone may react to the processes (with photos)
- 130 pages of gemstone information covering more than 110 different varieties and including 181 colour photos
- Gemstone facet names, shapes and cuts
- Information about casting in place, kiln firing and torch firing gemstones
- Table of gemstones by colour
- Cleaning gemstone jewellery and care advice for customers
- Glossary
RRP: £29.99
Thank you - we have had some really lovely comments and feedback - here are just a few...
Andrew Berry from At the Bench first reviewed the book on one of his Youtube live sessions in 2021 and has now released this review. Andrew bought his copy - this wasn't a solicited review.
Andrew Berry
At the Bench
Jeanette Caines from Jewelry Arts Inc posted a video on Instagram. Jeanette bought her copy - this wasn't a solicited review.
Jeanette K Caines
New York, USA
"Your book arrived today and I just wanted to say how great it is! It really simplifies things for us who arent that experienced with gemstones. I will be recommending it to everyone!"
Jodie
UK
"I had heard that you had stuffed it full of great information, but until one sees it, I do not think one can know just HOW much is in the book. I am thrilled with my purchase!!
Thank you for a great reference tool!"
Cindy
Michigan, USA
My first Amazon review...
and it's 5 star!
Thank you Erin - I'm so happy the book is out there, on benches, helping jewellers when they are working with gemstones.
In case you are wondering - the book was written to help all jewellers, whether they have been in the industry for years or recently started making jewellery as a hobby.
Another lovely review...
Thank you Kate!
Every comment, email or review means the world to me because it is a fellow jeweller who’s finding my book helpful and discovering more about the gemstones they are working with. That’s a pretty special feeling.