Promotional Information

A complete guide to identifying, buying, using and caring for a dazzling array of jewels.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Introduction

1. Creating Gemstones
Gemstone formation
Sourcing and availability
Mining and collecting
Usage and supply chains
Properties of gemstone material
Inclusions and optical phenomena
Gemstone cuts
Faceted round cuts
Faceted square cuts
Cabochons
Cutting to order
Beads
Natural crystals
Carving your own

2. Types of Gemstones
Gemstone treatments
Gemstone family tree
Organics

3. Designing with Gemstones
Settings
Colour
Texture and Lustre
Size
Single Stones
Fragile Stones
Nonstandard gemstones forms
Beads, drops and briolettes
The ring
Practical advice
Handling gemstones
Appraising gemstones
Buying gemstones
Resources
Glossary

Index
Credits

About the Author

Judith Crowe is a London-based jewellery maker and designer. She has been a teacher, gem-dealer, and bespoke jeweller for nearly 20 years, and designs and produces one-off pieces of gem-set jewellery. She is also the author of Gemstones which is widely used by the trade, collectors and jewellery lovers.

Reviews

This is the first book to deal comprehensively with all the considerations that need to be taken into account when using gem materials in jewellery.
*Association for Contemporary Jewellery*