Need a good book

Jewelry Discussion
1

What is the best, most difinitive book on manufacturing and type
of jewelry, from gold to silver and gems, including synthetics?
Looking for good resources on the internet has been a dead end.

-HR-

2

Hi HR,

I think most of us would agree the most comprehensive book on
jewelry making is Jewelry Concepts and Technology by Oppi
Untracht. It has a list price of about $100, but you can find
it for less if you’re resourceful. Its a veritable encyclopedia
of jewelry making techniques from around the world. I don’t
recall much about gemstones in the book.

I really don’t know of one “essential” gemstones book, but maybe
someone else can recommend a volume.

Good luck,

Dave

Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave@sebaste.com
http://www.sebaste.com

3

What is the best, most difinitive book on manufacturing and type
of jewelry, from gold to silver and gems, including synthetics?

I have a copy of “Jewelry Concepts and Technology” by Oppi
Untracht. It’s fairly complete but is a little pricey (about
US$75) and is unwieldy as it’s quite a large book to handle.

The ISBN is: 0-385-04185-3

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Kerry
| Website - http://www.bennie.demon.co.uk/ |
| Hand made Celtic and Scottish Jewellery, Katunayake, Creagorry, |
|Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides HS7 5PG Kingdom of Scotland |
|Tel:44 1870 602677 Fax:44 1870 602956 Mobile:44 85-005-9162 |

4

Tim McCreight’s “The Complete Metalsmith” (isbn 0-87192-240-1)
is probably a good place to start for any one. It is available
just about everywhere and I also like “Metal Techniques for
Craftsmen” by Oppi Untract (isbn 0-385-03027-4). Those two books
are what I use for references. Also a copy of the “Machinery’s
Handbook”. Any good library should have them, IMO. Any other
suggestions from anyone. Ed Ward Ward’s Stone Creations

5

Hi HR,

What is the best, most difinitive book on manufacturing and type
of jewelry, from gold to silver and gems, including synthetics?<<

You’re not talking about a book, you need a whole library to
cover these requirements.

The ‘Jewelry Concepts & Tech’ previously mentioned is a must
have. A good

book on gems is ‘Color Encylopedia of Gemstones’ by Joel Arem (I
think th is is recently out off print though). Another book that
is still available i s Simon & Schuster’s ‘Gems & Precious
Stones’,ISBN #0-671-60430-9. There ar e lots of other gem books
available. Check with the GIA Bookstore (email, GIA.ORG).

Dave

6

David- I think any of the books by Arem are considered
"definitive" gemstone books. I believe one is called the
Encyclopedia of Gemstones. anne

7

HR,

On a gemmological level, my opinion is that you cannot find a
much better book than “Gems” by R. Webster (I think it is into
the 5th edition now). This is probably the 'gemmologist’s bible’
and covers many aspects of the gem world. It is available from
GIA bookstore. I am sorry, but I don’t have the ISBN details
with me at the moment.

Nick

8 
 On a gemmological level, my opinion is that you cannot find a
much better book than "Gems" by R. Webster (I think it is into
the 5th edition now). This is probably the 'gemmologist's
bible' and covers many aspects of the gem world. It is
available from GIA bookstore. I am sorry, but I don't have the
ISBN details with me at the moment.

I’ve got the 4th edition, it’s isbn is 0-408-01148-3.

Dave