I’ve been working hard on my journey to become a goldsmith! Since I study mostly from home, I supplement my learning with classes a couple of times a year and then spend the rest of my time practicing and building on those assignments. It’s been a challenging but truly wonderful process.
I’m currently looking to purchase a few used books to help guide my progress, specifically those focused on foundational best practices. Because I have limited shelf space, I’ve been using the library for most of my reading, which has worked out well! However, I’m now looking to own a few key, beginner-friendly titles that I can keep for constant reference. Since there are so many books out there, I would also love to hear any recommendations you might have!
Since you mentioned becoming a goldsmith, I am recommending Alan Revere’s Professional Jeweler, he has detailed step-by-step instructions with pictures. Also, look up his Facebook group called “Let’s Make Professional Jewelry”, he has people doing the projects together online and you can ask, show and tell as you go. Enjoy your journey!!
Tim McCreight’s Complete Metalsmith. Any edition or printing date. I will look to his books first because of the format as much as the information. The edition I have is printed as shop notes which I find easier to understand. These books listed below show as much about my personal interest as anything but they may be helpful for you.
“The Jeweler’s Manual” from GIA. A very old edition. and “Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths” University of Oklahoma Press. “The Modern History of Celtic Jewelry: 1840-1980” by Stephen Walker.
The GIA Manual is of primary interest to me because it was my Dad’s and he gifted it to me.
The gemological information inside isn’t entirely useful to me as I don’t cut or facet precious stones. But you can always use some basic knowledge in other parts of the field.
There are photographic references for settings, types of chain, findings and stones which I have found useful. The pen and ink illustrations of findings that I can fabricate are nice to see. I find pen and ink illos are easier to develop fabrications of pin backs, hair combs, bolo slide, etc. from. There is even some metallurgical info I have found useful.
I didn’t buy this, Dad gave it to me along with stuff from his library. I am sure Brother Rob has a similar volume. The info I find useful is probably elsewhere in a much less expensive book. I just happen to have this book.
I also highly recommend this book. it is a very big book…very comprehensive…i have read it cover to cover…twice…and forgot 80% of what i read…to me, its value lies as a reference book…i have an issue, i look it up, and there is the answer…ie, issue with sawing…”why does my sawblade pull to the side instead of sawing straight”…reason: saw blade strung too tight…you might have already read over that statement when reading cover to cover…there was probably a half page explanation…but if you weren’t experiencing that problem at the time, it might not have stuck in your brain…but later you look it up, and there it is.
the book covers a vast amount of knowledge, and is written with great attention to minute detail, which can seem tedious to read as a book, cover to cover, but is invaluable as a one stop source for information.
another book that i have similar comments about, that is also a vast source of knowledge, but which i think covers metalurgy more in depth, is the below…
ie: …”why are there pits and inclusions in my ingot”…this was the only place i found the answer…
Yep. This is a popular question. I did some research earlier before posting, to see what people had in mind. I decided to ask again, in case of any new ideas have come about in recent times.
Complete Metalsmith still seems to be another go to recommendation. Thanks!
I started my almost 50 year jewelry career with Char Choate’s “Creative Casting” and “Creative Gold & Silversmithing”, as well as Oppi Untrachts “Metal Techniques for Craftsman”. They were invaluable to becoming a self taught jeweler. Also, Untrachts “Jewelry Concepts and Technology” is a hugely useful reference book, as well as all the other books listed in the responses. If you are looking for used books, I inherited another jewelers library and would be happy to send you some of those books if you wanted to pay the shipping, just let me know. It doesn’t include the books already listed, but the more references the better!
Char Choate’s books were my first books. They were in the library of the school that I was teaching in back in the early 70s. I checked them out so much that the librarian gave them to me…Rob
Funny thing, is Char’s book Creative Gold and Silversmithing is a book I’m currently reading, I’ve checked it out from the library. I wasn’t able to find Untracht’s jewelry concepts and technology book but I’m sure they could get it if I inquired about it. In the meantime, I’ve been taking notes by hand, writing down things I don’t want to forget, that might be helpful in the future. Some things (honestly many things - terminology, etc.) I don’t quite understand now but I’m sure I will as time goes on.
I’d love to receive some reference books!
lol we have a similar story in that way. Its also one of my FIRST books I’ve checked out from the library since starting my studies. This is my second time checking it out, actually. Its cool to look inside the book, and see checkout cards with the dates. Very interesting indeed. I like how clear Sharr’s explanations are.
