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Gem Cutting: A Lapidary's Manual, 2nd Edition

A hobby backed by centuries of tradition, amateur gem cutting remains popular today. Once a completely unskilled beginner himself, Captain John Sinkankas never forgot his struggles in learning how to cut and polish gemstones without the benefit of an instructor. With his own experience in mind, he wrote Gem Cutting to make it possible for others to teach themselves how to do every type of lapidary work without having to attend classes. 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. Sinkankas also advises on selecting and buying rough gemstones. A section on the description and treatment of gemstones has been expanded in this second edition to include more species and accommodate recent information on each. With its comprehensive guidance, Gem Cutting is an essential addition to the library of any lapidary. Captain John Sinkankas (1915-2002) dedicated his life to the study of earth sciences after his retirement from the US Navy. Winner of the Desert Magazine Literature Premium Award, Sinkankas authored a number of books on gemstones and published over 100 articles on lapidary subjects. He was a certified gemologist of the American Gem Society with memberships to the Mineralogical Society of America, New York Mineralogical Club, San Diego Mineral & Gem Society, and several other regional gem and mineral groups. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Hardcover: 297 pages

Publisher: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company; 2nd. edition (1962)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0442276230

ISBN-13: 978-0442276232

Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 1 inches

Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds

Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #1,083,990 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #9 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Jewelry & Beadwork > Rock & Gem Crafts #689 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Jewelry & Beadwork > Beadwork #832 in Books > Reference > Consumer Guides

The best compilation of techniques available in English. A bit obsolete, but is the reference I use and the guide I give to my students for teaching the craft. (And I will continue to give them away. as long as I can obtain reasonably priced, used copies via .)

This is a timeless book, great reference for all gem nuts! Older book, but contains timeless information. This will be one of my got to books.

This is a good manual for a beginner hobbyist.

A great reference on gem cutting.

all Sinkakas books are excellent

Great Item, Highly Recomended.

very very good

Gem Cutting: A Lapidary's Manual, 2nd Edition GEM CUTTING A LAPIDARY'S MANUAL Gem Cutting A Lapidary's Manual by John Sinkankas Hardback 1955 Specialized gem cutting (A Gem cutter's handbook) Lapidary Journal for Gem Cutters, Collectors, and Jewelers: Vol. 54, No.5 (August 2000) Lapidary Journal for Gem Cutters, Collectors, and Jewelers, Vol.48, No.11 (February 1995) Lapidary Journal for Gem Cutters, Collectors, and Jewelers, Vol.46, No.4 (July 1992) Lapidary Journal for Gem Cutters, Collectors, and Jewelers: Vol. 54, No.9 (December 2000) Lapidary Journal for Gem Cutters, Collectors, and Jewelers, Vol.49, No.6 (September 1995) Lapidary Journal for Gem Cutters, Collectors, and Jewelers, Vol.51, No.3 (June 1997) Lapidary Journal for Gem Cutters, Collectors, and Jewelers: Vol. 47 No. 11 (February 1994) Lapidary Journal for Gem Cutters, Collectors, and Jewelers, Vol.50, No.6 (September 1996) Northeast Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guide 5/E: Where and How to Dig, Pan and Mine Your Own Gems and Minerals (Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guides) The Art of Gem Cutting: Complete Die-cutting and Tooling: A guide to the manufacture and use of cutting, embossing and foiling dies, anvils and cylinders Handbook for the Amateur Lapidary Collecting Rocks, Gems & Minerals: Easy Identification - Values - Lapidary Uses (Warman's Field Guide) Introduction To Lapidary (Jewelry Crafts) The Creative Lapidary Gemcutting: A Lapidary Handbook