Order This Book
Opal Cutting Made Easy
Step-by-Step Guide to Cutting Opal For the Beginner and Advanced Cutter
by Paul B. Downing
Soft cover, 6" x 9", 97 pages, copyright 1993
Sample page Opal Cutting Made Easy provides a complete guide and primer to opal cutting for beginners and advanced cutters. It takes the beginner in opal cutting through the entire process of cutting their first opal with easy to follow step-by-step instructions. The latter sections of the book lead the advanced cutter, and the beginner, once he or she has cut a few stones, to the best methods of cutting rough from different locations. Helpful tricks of the trade are included. Advanced cutting techniques show you how to get the most out of that problem stone with gorgeous fire in swirling patterns. Special techniques for boulder opal and Lightning Ridge nobbies are covered. Also included is a chapter on carving opal. Having completed a stone, you are taught how to set it properly for lasting beauty.
Chapters include: Introduction to Opal Cutting, Tools and Basic Cutting, Opal Instructions for the Beginner, Orienting the color, Sawing Opal, Cutting Standard Size Opals, Rough Opal Sources, Cutting Hints for Special Material, Cutting Black Opal, Cutting Boulder Opal, Cutting Mexican Opal, Cutting Doublets and Triplets, Loosen Up Your Opal Cutting Straight Jacket, Carving Opal, Setting Opal for Lasting Beauty, How to Buy Opal rough, The Care and Feeding of Opal, and A Parting Word.
Opal Cutting Made Easy is a book rich in how-to for opal cutters authored by an authority in the field and a must have reference in the book collection of any opal cutter.

Order This Book
Profits In Lapidary
Master Keys For Marketing - A Complete Guide of Practical Tips and Methods That Can Help Hobbyists and Professionals Realize a Splendid, Dependable Income From Gemcutting
by Gerald L. Wykoff
Soft cover, 6" x 9", 198 pages, copyright 1993
Sample page Many lapidaries consider the phrase "Profits in Lapidary" to constitute an oxymoron. As much as gems are appreciated, it is surprising how many accomplished lapidaries find difficulty in converting their skills to income. Some gemcutters make a fine living from cutting gems, while others - absent the techniques to produce income - realize little from their work. Strange isn't it? So many people fascinated with the extraordinary beauty of gems and jewelry existing alongside so many individuals able to produce this same beauty and yet they can't seem to find each other.
Profits In Lapidary was written for the many lapidaries, both hobbyist and professional, who would like to realize an income from lapidary. A number of markets exist for any enterprising person. It's just a matter of producing a plan and then introducing the work.
What author Gerald Wykoff endeavors to do in this book is present as many possible potential market opportunities as possible. Not every market - and market approach - is attractive to every lapidary. Look over this book. If you are at all serious about turning your lapidary talents toward profit making then some of the tired-ad-true marketing tips contained in Profits In Lapidary may get you off on the income journey.

Order This Book
Rock Sculpture
The Joy of Stone Carving for Beginners
by Violet Sage
Soft cover, 8.5" x 5.5", 46 pages, copyright 1988.
Sample page Rock Sculpture provides an introduction to rock carving for beginners. The tools and techniques employed to carve various materials are presented in anecdotal style. Contents include Introduction, (1) Carving Alabaster, (2) Mechanized Equipment, (3) Anatomy, (4) Proportion, (5) The Face, (6) The Head, (7) Hands, (8) Feet, (9) Bone Structure, (10) Muscles, (11) Motion, (12) Perspective, (13) Draperies, (14) Amber, (15) Soapstone, (16) Onyx, (17) Ivory, (18) Opal, (19) Fire Agate, (20) Tiger Eye, (21) Turquoise, (22) Chalcedony Desert Rose, (23) Rock Crystal, (24) Jade, and Conclusion.

Order This Book
The Art of Gem Cutting
by Dr. H.C. Dake
Soft cover, 5.5" x 8.5", 96 pages, copyright 1987
Sample page The Art of Gem Cutting explains how to buy rough stones, how to cut the gems, and how to choose and use lapidary and gem cutting equipment. This primer will get aspiring and student gemcutters off started off on the right path and builds an interest in the many facets of the fascinating hobby of lapidary and gem cutting.
This book is organized into four major parts: Cabochon Cutting, Facet Cutting, Special Lapidary Technique, and Useful Lapidary Notes. Topics covered under Cabochon Cutting Include: Sawing, Diamond Saw Blades, Sawing Coolants, Sawing Large Specimens, Grinding Operation, Grinding Wheel Hints, Side Wheel Grinding, Grinding Wheel Bondings, Sanding Operation, Discs and Drums, Belt Sanders, Dopping the Gems, Polishing the Gem, Slow Speed Polishing, Theory of Polishing, Polishing Methods, Cabochon Bezel Angles, and The Micron Sizes. Topics covered under Facet Cutting include: Diamond Laps, Orientation, Cutting the Facets, A System for Brilliant Cut Gems, Polishing Facets, Faceting Zircon, Facet Cut Topaz, How to Cut Amethyst, Facet Cut Sphalerite, Facet Cut Titania, Titania Doublets, The Rose Cut, Quartz and Beryl Angles, Development of the Brilliant Cut, and Acid in Polishing.
Topics covered under Special Lapidary Techniques include: Sphere Cutting, Polishing Spheres, Cameo Cutting, A Handy Lapidary Tool, The Tumbled Gems, The Horizontal Lap, Cutting and Polishing Transparencies, Drilling Cabochons, and Bracelet Cutting. Topics covered under Useful Lapidary Notes include: Cutting a Cabochon, Standard Cabochons, Polishing Jade, The Fibrous Gems, Cutting Asteriated Quartz Cabochons, Cutting Star Sapphire, Cutting Laboradorite, Buying the Rough, Coloring Agate, Types of Equipment, and Adapting Sanding Cloth.
The Art of Gem Cutting is concise and well illustrated with numerous photographs and drawings. The gem making techniques presented are tried and proven and have withstood the test of time. This highly recommended book presents a great deal of valuable how-to information for a very modest price and belongs in the library of every lapidary hobbyist.

Order This Book
Zuni Fetishes & Carvings
by Kent McManis
Soft cover, 8" x 6", 144 pages, copyright 2004
Sample page
Sample page
Sample page
Sample page Zuni Fetishes & Carvings provides newly expanded, combined edition of the two most popular books on Zuni fetishes and carvings nationwide! These tiny, exquisite "charm stones" make up some of the most popular Native American art in North America. Now available in a single volume, Zuni Fetishes & Carvings offers the best general reference on the subject ever available to collectors. This new edition is fully illustrated with the work of nearly 600 carvers and catalogs nearly 700 fetishes in full color.
How can fetishes help us in our daily lives? What does the bear represent? The frog? The eagle? What powers do they contain? What makes a fetish "speak" to a collector? In this deluxe edition, noted dealer in Native American art Kent McManis answers all these questions and many more. He presents the two major traditional types of fetishes: the protective/healing group and the hunting group. He describes the materials that Zuni artists carve today, such as turquoise, onyx, jet, mother-of-pearl, and Picasso marble, and shows the artist's fine techniques. He also introduces many skilled carvers - both acknowledged masters and newcomers to the craft - and includes hundreds of photos and newly updated family trees for the carvers.
In the section "The Power Of the Fetish" Kent McManis explains the fetish powers traditionally ascribed to mountain lions, bears, badgers, wolves, eagles, moles, coyotes, bobcats, frogs and turtles, snakes, owls and other birds, game animals, domesticated animals, local animals, non-local animals, corn maidens and maidens, and humans and miscellaneous figures. The section "Carving Materials" covers and is illustrated with fetishes carved from alabaster, serpentine, Picasso marble, jet, black marble, pipestone, turquoise and related minerals, dolomite, fluorite, miscellaneous stones, glass, shell, antler, horn, fossilized ivory, bone, and other organic materials.

Zuni Fetishes & Carvings is also a great motif and idea book for lapidaries and carvers who are interested in Zuni carving and would like to incorporate elements of their designs, techniques and materials into their own work.

Beginning Cabochon Cutting DVD - $13.95
by Jim Barzee
DVD format video, copyright 2006 Beginning Cabochon Cutting DVD

The Flat Lap DVD - $13.95 NEW!!
by Jim Barzee
DVD format video, copyright 2007 The Flat Lap DVD

Lapidary Drilling Tutorial DVD - $13.95
by Jim Barzee
DVD format video, copyright 2006 Lapidary Drilling Tutorial DVD

Wood Lap Tutorial DVD - $13.95
Cheap Thrills for the Lapidary Artist
by Jim Barzee
DVD format video, copyright 2006 Wood Lap Tutorial DVD

Opal Cutting Made Easy DVD - $29.95
by Paul B. Downing
DVD format video, copyright 1986 Opal Cutting Made Easy is a step-by-step visual instruction DVD by 3-time AGTA Cutting Edge winner Paul B Downing. Learn to cut like a pro! Paul shares all his inside tips and secrets to successful opal cutting.


Advanced Cabochon Cutting - $6.00
Assembled Stones - Special Shapes - Star Stones - Cat's-Eyes - Opal
by Jack R. Cox
Soft cover, 5.5" x 8.8", 64 pages, copyright 1986 The first book in the Gem Cutters Handbook series, Cabochon Cutting, covers the basics of producing that type of gem - slab and trim sawing, preforming, dopping, girdling, smoothing, polishing and jewelry setting. After the hobbyist has learned these basics, he's ready for more advanced techniques. So, presented in this companion handbook, Advanced Cabochon Cutting, are instructions for cutting special shapes such as hearts, crosses, teardrops, loafs, stars and freeforms. The techniques involved in working hard materials such as chrysoberyl and corundum with diamond abrasives are presented. Dedicated chapters cover how to properly orient phenomenal stones such as cat's-eye and star chrysoberyl, quartz, garnet, sapphire and moonstone. Other chapters cover working with opal and present information on finding and orienting the fire in opals, special dopping and cutting techniques for opal and making opal doublets and triplets. Techniques for cutting and polishing jade are also presented in a chapter dedicated to working jade.
Chapters include: Special Stone Shapes, Assembled Stones, Cat's-Eye and Star Stones Part 1, Cat's-Eye and Star Stones Part 2, Cat's-Eye and Star Stones Part 3, Cutting Opal Part 1, Cutting Opal Part 2, and Cutting Jade.
Advanced Cabochon Cutting is concise and well illustrated with numerous photographs and drawings. The cabochon making techniques presented are tried and proven and have withstood the test of time. This highly recommended book presents a great deal of valuable how-to information for a very modest price and belongs in the library of every lapidary hobbyist.

American Flintknappers - $34.95
Stone Age Art In The Age Of Computers
by John C. Whittaker
Soft cover, 9" x 6", 353 pages, copyright 2004
Sample page
Sample page Making arrowheads, blades and other stone tools was once a survival skill and is still practiced by thousands of flintknappers around the world. In the United States, knappers gather at regional "knap-ins" to socialize, exchange ideas and material, buy and sell both equipment and knapped art, and make stone tools in the company of other knappers. In between these gatherings, the knapping community stays connected through newsletters and the Internet.
In American Flintknappers, avid knapper and professional anthropologist John Whittaker offers an insider's view of the knapping community. He explores why stone tools attract modern people and what making them means to those who pursue this art. He describes how new members are incorporated into the knapping community, how novices learn the techniques of knapping and find their roles within the group, how the community is structured, and how ethics, rules and beliefs about knapping are developed and transmitted.
The author also explains how the practice of knapping relates to professional archaeology, the trade in modern replicas of stone tools, and the forgery of artifacts. Whittaker's book thus documents a fascinating subculture of American life and introduces the wider public to an ancient and still rewarding craft.
Chapters include: 1. Introduction: Coming to the Knap-in, 2. Making Stone Tools: The World's Oldest Craft, 3. From Fakes and Experiments to Knap-ins: The Roots of Modern Flintknapping, 4. The Knap-in: People and Organization, 5. Knappers at the Knap-in, 6. Status and Stones, 7. Art, Craft, or Reproduction: Knapper Esthetics, 8. Can't Never Have Too Much Flint: The Lore of Stone 9. Modern Stone Age Economics, 10, Knappers, Collectors, Archaeologists: Ethics and Conflicts and 11. Silicon and Society.

American Lapidary - $25.00
Designing The Carved Gemstone
by Henry Hunt
Soft cover, 7" x 9", 189 pages, copyright 2004
Sample page American Lapidary is a must-read loaded with how-to and ideas for anyone who carves gem materials or is interested in learning more about the technical and design aspects of gemstone carving. This book provides a strong emphasis on the tools and techniques required to produce various types and styles of carving in gem materials.
The content is organized along seven major topics including: 1 Introduction, 2 Designing The Design, 3 Angular Design, 4 Curvilinear Design, 5 Lathe Turning And Milling, 6 Laminated And Combination Designs, and 7 Tool Designs. Discussed in Introduction is Designs And Their Influence. Topics covered in Designing the Design include: Three Main Design Areas, Significant American Gemstone Designs, and Drawing and Carving. Topics presented in Angular Design include: Cutting The Freeform Faceted Stone, Designing A Simple Handheld Freeform Stone, Designing the Handheld Freeform Intended For Use With V-Grooves, Sanding And Polishing The Freeform Faceted Stone, The Wood Wheel, Carving The V-Grooves, The Straight Wheel, Cutting The V-Groove, Polishing The Flats And The Grooves, Polishing Stones Harder Than Quartz, The Finished Angular Stone, and Setting The Angular Designs.
Topics discussed in Curvilinear Design include: Tool Shapes And The Grooves They Cut, Doing The Ridges, Grooving The Organic, Use Of Craytex Wheels, Non-symmetrical Grooves And Prints, The Use Of Optic Dishes, Carving Designs With Holes, and Carving A Whole Stone. Presented in Lathe Turning and Milling are Milling The Milled Cut and Circular Designs. Laminated and Combination Designs discusses Testing Epoxies, Laminating A Candy Cut, Cutting The Sections, and Working With Combination Forms.
Topics covered in Tool Design include: Making Copper Wheels And Disks, The Copper Point, Wood Wheels, Shaping The Wood Wheels, The Wood Point, Polishing Tools, Ordering Special Diamond Cutting Wheels, Making Diamond Compound, The 35mm Camera, Basic Equipment, The Camera, The Close Up Lens, Tripod, Remote Control, Seamless Paper, The Lights, The Bulbs, And The Lens Filter, and Using A Darkroom.

Art of Gem Cutting - $6.00
Including Cabochons - Faceting - Spheres - Tumbling - And Special Techniques
by Dr. H.C. Drake
Soft cover, 5.5" x 8.5", 96 pages, copyright 1987
Sample page The Art of Gem Cutting explains how to buy rough stones, how to cut the gems, and how to choose and use lapidary and gem cutting equipment. This primer will get aspiring and student gemcutters off started off on the right path and builds an interest in the many facets of the fascinating hobby of lapidary and gem cutting.
This book is organized into four major parts: Cabochon Cutting, Facet Cutting, Special Lapidary Technique, and Useful Lapidary Notes. Topics covered under Cabochon Cutting Include: Sawing, Diamond Saw Blades, Sawing Coolants, Sawing Large Specimens, Grinding Operation, Grinding Wheel Hints, Side Wheel Grinding, Grinding Wheel Bondings, Sanding Operation, Discs and Drums, Belt Sanders, Dopping the Gems, Polishing the Gem, Slow Speed Polishing, Theory of Polishing, Polishing Methods, Cabochon Bezel Angles, and The Micron Sizes. Topics covered under Facet Cutting include: Diamond Laps, Orientation, Cutting the Facets, A System for Brilliant Cut Gems, Polishing Facets, Faceting Zircon, Facet Cut Topaz, How to Cut Amethyst, Facet Cut Sphalerite, Facet Cut Titania, Titania Doublets, The Rose Cut, Quartz and Beryl Angles, Development of the Brilliant Cut, and Acid in Polishing.
Topics covered under Special Lapidary Techniques include: Sphere Cutting, Polishing Spheres, Cameo Cutting, A Handy Lapidary Tool, The Tumbled Gems, The Horizontal Lap, Cutting and Polishing Transparencies, Drilling Cabochons, and Bracelet Cutting. Topics covered under Useful Lapidary Notes include: Cutting a Cabochon, Standard Cabochons, Polishing Jade, The Fibrous Gems, Cutting Asteriated Quartz Cabochons, Cutting Star Sapphire, Cutting Laboradorite, Buying the Rough, Coloring Agate, Types of Equipment, and Adapting Sanding Cloth.
The Art of Gem Cutting is concise and well illustrated with numerous photographs and drawings. The gem making techniques presented are tried and proven and have withstood the test of time. This highly recommended book presents a great deal of valuable how-to information for a very modest price and belongs in the library of every lapidary hobbyist.

Cabochon Cutting - $5.00
by Jack R. Cox
Soft cover, 5.5" x 8.5", 64 pages, copyright 1986
Sample page Cabochon Cutting provides an excellent primer and introduction to cutting and polishing cabochons for anyone interested in learning more about this very popular facet of the lapidary hobby. It answers all questions from how to slab rough with a slab saw, how to saw cabs from slabs with trim saws, how to grind and shape cabochons, how to polish gem materials and how to set finished cabochons in jewelry.
Chapters include: Dopping Gemstones, Preparing Stones for Shaping, Grinding Gemstones, Smoothing Gemstones, Polishing Gemstones, Using a Trim Saw, Using the Slab Saw and Setting Your Cabochon Gems.
Cabochon Cutting is concise and well illustrated with numerous photographs and drawings. The cabochon making techniques presented are tried and proven and have withstood the test of time. This highly recommended book presents a great deal of valuable how-to information for a very modest price and belongs in the library of every lapidary hobbyist.


Descriptions of Gem Materials is stocked in our gemstone books.
Flintknapping - $26.95
Making and Understanding Stone Tools
by John C. Whittaker
Soft cover, 9" x 6", 341 pages, copyright 1994
Sample page
Sample page Flintknapping, the making of stone tools, is an ancient craft enjoying a resurgence of interest among both amateur and professional students of prehistoric cultures. This new guide offers the most detailed handbook on flintknapping currently available and the only one written from an archeological perspective of interpreting stone tools as well as making them.
Flintknapping contains detailed, practical information on making stone tools. Author John Whittaker is Professor of Anthropology at Grinell College. He has extensive experience in making and analyzing stone tools and has written many articles on the subject. He starts Flintknapping at the beginner level and progresses to discussion of a wide range of techniques. He includes information on necessary tools and materials, as well as step-by-step instructions for making several basic stone tool types. Numerous diagrams allow the reader to visualize the flintknapping process, and drawings of many stone tools illustrate the discussion and serve as models for beginning knappers.
Chapters include: 1. Introduction, 2. Flintknapping: Basic Principles, 3: A Brief History of Flintknapping, 4. Raw Materials, 5. Safety, 6. Hard-Hammer Percussion, 7. Pressure Flaking, 8. Soft-Hammer Percussion and Bifaces, 9. Blades and Fluting, 10. Using Stone Tools, and 11. Archeological Analysis of Stone Tools. An Appendix of Resources for Knappers includes Commercial Sources of Knapping Material, Knapping Newsletters and Journals, and Knapping Events ("Knap-ins"). The very comprehensive 30 page section of references included in Flintknapping reflects the author's extensive academic and research background and fans out to literally years worth of further reading on the subject of knapping and stone tools.
If you are looking for how-to to get started knapping or to improve you knapping skills and techinques, Flintknapping is the book for you!

Gem and Lapidary Materials - $39.50
For Cutters, Collectors and Jewelers
by June Culp Zeitner
Soft cover, 7" x 10", 347 pages, copyright 1996
Sample page Gem and Lapidary Materials provides a comprehensive overview of the materials used in the lapidary arts throughout history and up to the present. It is about minerals and rocks as lapidary materials. The descriptions stress how the material looks to the lapidary artist, or jeweler or connoisseur. This is not a book about mineralogy, nor a book about how to cut stones - it is about the materials of lapidary, the art of the ages.
Chapters include Introduction to Gem and Lapidary Materials, The Gems of History, Transparent Faceting Materials, Crystalline Quartz, Cryptocrystalline Quartz: The Agate Family, Quartz: Opaque But Colorful, Quartz: Strange and Wonderful Pseudomorphs, Cabochon Favorites of Yesterday and Today, Cabochon and Carving Materials, Ornamental and Decorative Gem Materials, Phenomenal Gems: Stars and Stripes, Metallic Gem Materials, Organic Gem Materials: Gems fro Life, Rare, Little Known and Unusual Gem Materials, and Gems from the Laboratory and Factory. Appendices provide information on the Refractive Index and Dispersion of Gemstones, Educational Associations, and Topical Publications. A particularly comprehensive bibliography lists several hundred related books and references.

Gem Tumbling and Baroque Jewelry Making - $5.50
A Guide for Amatuer Tumblers includes Agate, Obsidians, Garnets, etc.
by Arthur Earl Victor and Lila Mae Victor
Soft cover, 6" x 9", 58 pages, copyright 1984
Sample page Gem Tumbling and Baroque Jewelry Making is an excellent primer and guide for the rockhound who plans to tumble-polish their own stones. Features step-by-step practical and includes instructions on building your own tumbler
The book is organized into two major sections, Tumbling - Part One and Baroque Jewelry Making - Part 2. Topics covered in the Tumbling section include: General Instructions, Coarse Grind, Flat Sided Stones, Grinding Time, Intermittent Operation, Find Grind, Polish Operation, Little Tumblers, Vibrating Tumblers, Gas Pressure, Grits for Tumbling, Preforms, Montana Agate, Hard Plume, Jasper, etc., Common Opal - Moonstone - Zeolites, Tiger Eye, Quartz - Amethyst - Tourmaline - Aquamarine - Citrine, Agatized and Opalized Wood, Thunder Eggs and Geodes, Beach Agates and Water Worn Material, Junkite, Obsidian and Apache Tears, North Idaho Garnets, How to Build a Tumbler, Tumbler Speed, Size and Design, How to Figure Pulley Size, Tin Cans and Glass Jars, Fillers and Linings, Breaking and Cleaving, Storing Grinding Compounds and Polish, Storage of Agates, Waste Disposal, Hardness of Stones, Table of Speeds and Grit Quantities and Conclusion.
Topics covered in the Baroque Jewelry Making Section include: Introduction, Selecting Stones, Slicing Baroques, Epoxy - The Miracle Adhesive, Other Adhesives, Caps, Upeyes and Rings, Other Uses of Epoxy, Baroque Bracelets, Keyrings, etc., Sliced Baroques and Miscellaneous, Agates Are Forever and Helpful Hints for Shop.
Gem Tumbling and Baroque Jewelry Making is concise and well illustrated with numerous photographs and drawings. The gemstone tumbling techniques presented are tried and proven and have withstood the test of time. This highly recommended book presents a great deal of valuable how-to information for a very modest price and belongs in the library of every lapidary hobbyist.

Handbook of Gemstone Carving - $5.00 Currently out of Print
A Complete Guide To The Materials, Equipment And Techniques For Carving Gemstones
by Ed and Leola Wertz
Soft cover, 5.5" x 8.5", 47 pages, copyright 1986
Sample page Handbook of Gemstone Carving is an easy to follow book and primer on carving gemstones with a special emphasis on the tools and techniqes employed by gemstone carvers. Detailed instructions are provided for carving flat work, carvings in the round, and portraits.
Chapters include: A Review of Gemstone Carving, Gemstones Used for Carving, Ideas for Subjects to Carve, Equipment and Its Use, Tools and How to Use Them, Carving Forms and Finishes, How to Carve a Leaf, Carving in the Round, Portraits in Stone, and Some Notes About Display. Step by step illustrations are provided for carving several projects including a leaf, a mother and babe, a jade vase and a portrait. Handbook of Gemstone Carving is concise and well illustrated with numerous photographs and drawings. The carving techniques presented are tried and proven and have withstood the test of time. This highly recommended book presents a great deal of valuable how-to information for a very modest price and belongs in the library of every lapidary hobbyist.

How To Tumble Polish Gemstones - $5.95
And Make Tumbled Gem Jewelry
by Jerome Wexler
Soft cover, 8.5" 11", 31 pages, copyright 1995 How To Tumble Polish Gemstones has all the information you need to get excellent results when tumbling rocks. Covers both vibratory and rotating tumblers, polishing tips and more.

How To Tumble Polish Rocks Into Gems - $20.95 Back in Stock!!
Secrets Of The Pros Revealed
by Edward E. Smith
Soft cover, 5.5" x 8.5", 102 pages, copyright 2005
Sample page How To Tumble Polish Rocks Into Gems provides comprehensive information on how to use both rotary and vibratory type rock tumblers to tumble polish gemstones. Everything from tumbling Apache Tears to Zebra Agate, Jewelry Castings to Brass Shell Casings, Fossils to Sea Shells and Carvings to Cabochons is covered in this book.
How To Tumble Polish Rocks Into Gems is organized into 41 topical sections which include: 1 Introduction to Tumbling, 2 Collecting, What to Look for and Where, 3 The Beginning, 4 Selecting Tumbling Materials, 5 Media: Plastic, Ceramic, Natural Organic, 6 Abrasives: Silicon Carbide, Boron Carbide, Aluminum Oxides, Grit Sizes and Their Uses, 7 Compounds: Polishing Wet and Dry, 8 Loading the Rotary Tumbler, 9 Loading the Vibratory Tumbler, 10 Loading: Gem Materials, Fossils, Ivory, Shell, Coral, Bone, 11 Loading: Vibratory Materials, Mixing Materials, 12 Recap: Rotary Gemstones, 13 Recap: Vibratory Loading, Gems, Organics, Metals, Bone, Coral, 14 Tumbling Records, 15 Grinding, Selecting Abrasives, 16 Grinding, Abrasives, Rotary, 17 Grinding, Abrasives, Vibratory, 18 Hardness, Toughness, Charts, 19 Cleaning, Intermediate Treatment, 20 Sanding Cycle, Rotary, Vibratory, 21 Sanding-2, Gem Materials, Rotary Tips, 22 Sanding-2, Gem Materials, Vibratory Tips, 23 Sanding 2-, Rotary, Vibratory, 24 Cleaning, Before Pre-Polish, Polish, Intermediate Treatment, 25 Pre-Polish, Rotary, Vibratory, 26 Polishing, Rotary, 27 Polishing Gem Materials, Vibratory Wet Method, 28 Polishing Gem Materials, Vibratory Dry Method, 29 Polishing Gem Materials, Rotary, 30 Polishing Gem Stones, Vibratory, 31 Polishing Gem Materials Re-Cap, 32 Polishing, Vibratory Dry Method, 33 Burnishing, Rotary, Vibratory, 34 Shapes--Pre-Forms--Cabs, Rotary, 35 Polishing, Vibratory Wet and Dry, 36 General Information, Flat Surfaces, Rotary, Vibratory, 37 Sanding-Polishing Flat Surfaces, Rotary, 38 Metals, Gold, Silver, Preparing Machine Types, Pre-Finishing, 39 Burnishing, Metals, 40 The Author, Edward E. Smith, 41 Book Objectives, Content.

How To Use Diamond Abrasives To Cut Gemstones - $5.00
by Arthur L. Riggle
Soft cover, 9" x 11", 30 pages, copyright 1996
Sample page Whether you are an experienced gem cutter or are a beginner interested in getting into the fascinating hobby (or profession) of lapidary, important considerations are the convenience and efficiency of the abrasives you use. These attributes are found in the use of diamond abrasives for the sawing, grinding, sanding, smoothing and polishing of gemstones. The "diamond way" is fast, clean and cool. Diamond lapidary equipment is compact, an important consideration for those with limited space. Not so long ago few of these abrasives were available to gem cutters and lapidary hobbyists, but modern technology has blessed lapidaries with a wide variety of diamond machinery, accessories and supplies.
How To Use Diamond Abrasives shows you how to use diamond abrasives and equipment to cut cabochons and flat stones. Several methods are covered so you may select from those which best fit your needs and work for you. This book will show you how to use the various types of diamond abrasives to cut beautiful gemstones and display pieces with a maximum of enjoyment, convenience and cleanliness.
Chapters include: Why Diamond?, Sawing Gemstones, Dopping, Grinding with Diamond, Smoothing and Polishing, Equipment, Accessories and Supplies, and Special Techniques. How To Use Diamond Abrasives To Cut Gemstones is concise and well illustrated with numerous photographs and drawings. The cabochon making techniques presented are tried and proven and have withstood the test of time. This highly recommended book presents a great deal of valuable how-to information for a very modest price and belongs in the library of every lapidary hobbyist.

How You Can Cut and Polish Gems Into Valuable Jewels - $19.50 Back in Stock!
The 411 Information Guide
by Edward E. Smith
Soft cover, 8.5" x 5.5", 99 pages, copyright 2004 How You Can Cut and Polish Gems Into Valuable Jewels is a new style of book beginning with sections about locating and collecting, but is written primarily to serve as a source and valuable guide to the basic steps in the lapidary processes of sawing, grinding, sanding and polishing. Included are choices for the selection of discs, pads, wheels and polishing compounds for over 80 gem materials.
The author's many years of hands on experience in gem cutting, designing, developing, demonstrating and marketing gem cutting equipment have resulted in this information guide book about "How You Can Cut and Polish Gems Into Valuable Jewels", from start to finish. Over 125 graphic illustrations and photos about cabochons, carving, faceting, cabinet specimens plus jewelers guide charts, for the beginner and the professional as well, revealing secrets of the pros.
The author's many years of hands on experience in gem cutting, designing, developing, demonstrating and marketing gem cutting equipment have resulted in this information guide book about "How You Can Cut and Polish Gems Into Valuable Jewels", from start to finish. Over 125 graphic illustrations and photos about cabochons, carving, faceting, cabinet specimens plus jewelers guide charts, for the beginner and the professional as well, revealing secrets of the pros.
Topics covered under the Locating - Collecting section include: Getting Started - Locating & Collecting, Close to Home - Streams, Rivers - Natural Lakes, Geologic Timeline - Deserts Sands, Oceans - Costal Areas, and Gems of the Desert - On Location Mountains - Gems. Topics covered under the Preparation section include: Selecting, Sawing and Slabbing.
Topics covered under the Cabochons section include: Templates - Shaping - The Girdle, Dopping - Pre-Shaping - Grinding - Sanding, Polishing - Pads - Wheels, and Almost Polished - Recap. Topics covered under the Carving - Speciems section include Carving Basics - Cabinet - Display Specimens.
Topics covered under the Faceting section include: Faceting - Light - Angles - Proportions, Orientation - Gem shapes - Standard Brilliant, Machine Types - The Basic Steps, Dopping - Preshaping - Heads - Angles - Laps, and Tips, Pavilion, Transfer - Crown - Laps - Polish.

Introduction To Lapidary - $21.95
Rock Tumbling - Cabochon Cutting - Faceting - Gem Carving - And Other Special Techniques
by Pansy D. Kraus
Soft cover, 7" x 9", 196 pages, copyright 1987
Sample page Introduction To Lapidary provides an authoritative introduction to all aspects of lapidary, describing processes, tools, and equipment of each branch of this fascinating hobby. This book will help the reader choose a technique, get started right away, and determine which tools will work best to achieve specific results.
Author Pansy Kraus, editor of the Lapidary Journal magazine for 21 years, describes the processes and considerable rewards of tumbling rocks, making cabochons, carving gem materials, lapping, cutting spheres, making beads and faceting. She provides a coherent overview of a vast and complex field, from the elementals of getting started to studio visits with lapidary artists, where we discover what may be possible.
Chapters include History of Lapidary, Rock Tumbling, Equipment for Rock Tumbling, Cabochon Grinding and Polishing, Equipment for Cabochon Cutting, Lapping Gem Materials, Sphere and Bead Making and Drilling, Inlay, Mosaics and Intarsias, Gem Carving, Faceting Gemstones, and Faceting Equipment. Useful Tables includes Names for Agates, Scales of Hardness, Grit-Size Numbering and Grading, Calculated Critical Angle Based on Refractive Index, Conversion Table: Length, Temperature, Volume, Weight, Suggested Diamond Saw Speeds and RPM Speed Table. Appendices include Gem and Mineral Magazines, Ivory Importing Restrictions, References, and Suggested Reading.

Lapidary Carving For Creative Jewelry - $25.00
Basic Techniques For Carving Ringstones and Pendants
by Henry Hunt
Soft cover, 7" x 9", 195 pages, copyright 2003
Sample page Lapidary Carving For Creative Jewelry provides a comprehensive introduction to gemstone carving. The primary focus of this book is the making of carvings suitable for pendants, earrings and ringstones from transparent gem minerals such as quartz, tourmaline, beryl, opal, topaz and synthetic crystals such as corundum, spinel, cubic zirconia and YAG.
The content is organized into 20 chapters which include: 1 Optical Qualities of Transparent Stones, 2 Transparent Gemstones Suitable For Carving, 3 The General Process of Carving, 4 Tool Making, 5 Drilling, Reaming and Frosting, 6 Carving Grooved and Twisted Forms, 7 Carving Flat Forms, 8 Carving Intaglios and Relief, 9 Carving Fluted Forms, 10 Carving Plaque and Disc Shapes, 11 Quartz: Carving Characteristics, 12 Cherry Opal: Carving Characteristics, 13 Sunstone: Carving Characteristics, 14 Peridot: Carving Characteristics, 15 Garnet: Carving Characteristics, 16 Tourmaline: Carving Characteristics, 17 Aquamarine and Morganite: Carving Characteristics, 18 Topaz: Carving Characteristics, 19 Fluorite: Carving Characteristics, and Synthetic Crystals: Carving Characteristics.

Master Gemcutting Tips - $17.95 - Currently Out Of Stock
A Comprehensive Selection of Practical Gemcutting Tips and Techniques For Immediate Use By Anyone Seeking To Excel in Gemstone Faceting, Carving or Cabochon Cutting
by Gerald L. Wykoff
Soft cover, 6" x 9", 166 pages, copyright 1992
Sample page Master Gemcutting Tips unveils tips, techniques, methods and procedures used or originated by master gem cutters who are willing to share their expertise with others.
Articles and tips include: Make Diamond Paste, What Every Gemcutter Should Know About Abrasives, Breaking the Superglue Bond, Effective Method to Remove CA, Use of Epoxy, Using Syringes For Fast Epoxy, Ridding a Buff of Contamination, Making Interesting Cabochons, Special Techniques for Cabochons, Cutting Grooves and Channels, Bill Horton's "Drunken Oval", For Brilliance Cut a Sunflower, A Dopping Technique, Different Approaches to Dopping, Dopping Method Relies on Shellac, Drilling Small Holes in Gemstones, Tips on Faceting, A Way to Cut Even Break Facets, For Good Results Use Tangents, Faceting With "Ticks", Cut Table First, Then Relax and Cut, Some Comments of Serpentine, Heat Treating, Suggestions For Best Universal Faceting Angles, Interpreting Imperfections, Troy vs. Avoirdupois, Technique for Scratch Identification, "Running the Wheel" is Important Cab Technique, Cleaning Pelletized Resin Laps, Resurfacing Laps, Lap Tips From Experts, Thin Polishing Laps Gain Acceptance, Laps: Cast Iron Laps are Useful, Making Your Own Laps, Cliff Jackson's Wax Lap, Which Shape Sells Best, The 7 Points of Payoff Profits, Consistent Polish Requires a System, Oxalic Acid Polish, Techniques on Ceramic Polishing, Channel Polisher? Tray a Toothbrush, Polishing Buffs and Polishes, Ceramic Laps, Solving Difficult Polishing Problems, Colloidal Silica Proves Very Effective Gemstone Polish, Use Baby Shampoo With Diamond, Tips on Repair Work, Special Dopstick For Ring Repairs, Cutter Prepares Release Form, A Sawing Technique, Carving Techniques With a Saw, Quick Sawing, Paua Shells Beautiful-But Dangerous, Techniques For Cutting Sunstones, Tips in Corundum Polishing, Star Sapphire Height is Optional, Opal Cutting/Polishing, Marking Girdles, Avoiding a Shower When Girdling, A Trick For Even Girdles, Proper Lighting is Important, Papier-Mache For Unique Jewelry, Do You Really Need Angle Splitters, Good Holder For Printing, Saving Contents, Construction of a 1/10 Vernier, Good Use For Ceramic Laps, How to Make a Polariscope, Removing Oil, and The Big Fight Against Rust.

Master Gem Polishing - $24.50 - Currently Out Of Stock
A Comprehensive Overview of the Techniques, Tools and Knowledge Required to Apply a Fine Polish on All Types of Gemstones
by Gerald L. Wykoff
Soft cover, 6" x 9", 311 pages, copyright 1994.
Sample page Master Gem Polishing is a comprehensive primer and reference on gem polishing. Because the subject of gem polishing is so vast and complex, the author spent seven years researching and working on this massive and comprehensive work. Regardless of your gem cutting discipline, if you have questions or you are stymied by a seemingly unanswerable situation involving gem polishing, the answer will probably be found somewhere in the pages of Master Gem Polishing
The subject areas include: Gem Polishing Theories and Principles, Polish and Carrier Materials, Polishing Techniques for Faceters, Cabochon Cutters and Carvers, How to Make Your Own Laps, Wheels, Buffs, Equipment, Special Polishing Tactics with Different Materials, Techniques with Mixed Polishing Agents, Setting Up for Production Polishing, Equipment and Tools Used in Gem Polishing, Stones that Require Special Care and Polishing Methods, Gemstone Specifications List, Crystallographic Information, Important Safety Aspects of Gemcutting, Sources for Materials and Supplies.
Appendix 1 provides lists of Suppliers of Equipment and Gemstones, Appendix 2 provides Descriptions of Materials Used in Polishing Gemstones, and Appendix 3 provides an Avoirdupois and Troy Weight Chart, Bibliography and Index.

Master Making Profits In Lapidary - $19.95
Master Keys For Marketing - A Complete Guide of Practical Tips and Methods That Can Help Hobbyists and Professionals Realize a Splendid, Dependable Income From Gemcutting
by Gerald L. Wykoff
Soft cover, 6" x 9", 198 pages, copyright 1993
Sample page Many lapidaries consider the phrase "Profits in Lapidary" to constitute an oxymoron. As much as gems are appreciated, it is surprising how many accomplished lapidaries find difficulty in converting their skills to income. Some gemcutters make a fine living from cutting gems, while others - absent the techniques to produce income - realize little from their work. Strange isn't it? So many people fascinated with the extraordinary beauty of gems and jewelry existing alongside so many individuals able to produce this same beauty and yet they can't seem to find each other.
Master Making Profits In Lapidary was written for the many lapidaries, both hobbyist and professional, who would like to realize an income from lapidary. A number of markets exist for any enterprising person. It's just a matter of producing a plan and then introducing the work.
What author Gerald Wykoff endeavors to do in this book is present as many possible potential market opportunities as possible. Not every market - and market approach - is attractive to every lapidary. Look over this book. If you are at all serious about turning your lapidary talents toward profit making then some of the tired-ad-true marketing tips contained in Master Making Profits In Lapidary may get you off on the income journey.

Modern Lithic Artists Journal V1 - $30.00
Volume 1 - January 2005
Lithic Artists Guild edited by T.J. Onken
Soft cover, 12" x 9", 110 pages, copyright 2005.
Sample page Modern Lithic Artists Journal Volume 1 is a full sized, full color, coffee table art book showcasing and documenting reproduction artifacts as well as contemporary axes, points, knives, daggers, jewelry, pipes, eccentric art pieces and more, crafted by 100 of the most accomplished and talented modern knappers and lithic artists in the world.

Modern Lithic Artists Journal Limited Edition V1 - $100.00
Volume 1 - January 2005
Lithic Artists Guild edited by T.J. Onken
Hard cover, 12" x 9", 126 pages, copyright 2005.
Sample page Modern Lithic Artists Journal Special Edition Volume 1 is a hard bound, limited edition of Modern Lithic Artists Journal Volume 1. An additional sixteen full page color plates adorns this limited run, 250 copy special collector's edition.

Modern Lithic Artists Journal V2 - $30.00
Volume 2 - September 2005
Lithic Artists Guild edited by T.J. Onken
Soft cover, 12" x 9", 80 pages, copyright 2005.
Sample page Modern Lithic Artists Journal Volume 2 is a full sized, full color, coffee table art book showcasing and documenting reproduction artifacts as well as contemporary axes, points, knives, daggers, jewelry, pipes, eccentric art pieces and more, crafted by 60 of the most accomplished and talented modern knappers and lithic artists in the world..

Modern Lithic Artists Journal Limited Edition V2 - $100.00
Volume 2 - September 2005
Lithic Artists Guild edited by T.J. Onken
Hard cover, 12" x 9", 96 pages, copyright 2005.
Sample page Modern Lithic Artists Journal Special Edition Volume 2 is a hard bound, limited edition of Modern Lithic Artists Journal Volume 2. An additional sixteen full page color plates adorns this limited run, 250 copy special collector's edition.


Rock Sculpture - $6.95
The Joy of Stone Carving for Beginners
by Violet Stage
Soft cover, 8.5" x 5.5", 46 pages, copyright 1988.
Sample page Rock Sculpture provides an introduction to rock carving for beginners. The tools and techniques employed to carve various materials are presented in anecdotal style. Contents include Introduction, (1) Carving Alabaster, (2) Mechanized Equipment, (3) Anatomy, (4) Proportion, (5) The Face, (6) The Head, (7) Hands, (8) Feet, (9) Bone Structure, (10) Muscles, (11) Motion, (12) Perspective, (13) Draperies, (14) Amber, (15) Soapstone, (16) Onyx, (17) Ivory, (18) Opal, (19) Fire Agate, (20) Tiger Eye, (21) Turquoise, (22) Chalcedony Desert Rose, (23) Rock Crystal, (24) Jade, and Conclusion.

A Sphere Maker's Craft - $53.75 NEW!!
A Systematic Review of Sphere Cutting
by Robert F. Ritchie
Soft cover, 8.5" x 11", 162 pages.
Sample page
Sample page
Sample page At last a comprehensive book on cutting spheres. A Sphere Maker's Craft presents an organized assembly of facts, observations and information on the art of cutting spheres, both from the author's personal experience and that of others in the lapidary arts. It utilizes an extensive indexing system with highlighted words throughout the book. Also included is a glossary of words and an appendix with figures and tables. Some of the sections in the book include: information on different sphere machines, supplies, trimming rough rock, rough grinding, using various grits, repairing defects, polishing, considerations for specific materials, etc. This is a worthy read for beginners and experienced cutters alike.

Zuni Fetishes & Carvings - $14.95
by Kent McManis
Soft cover, 8" x 6", 144 pages, copyright 2004
Sample page
Sample page
Sample page
Sample page Zuni Fetishes & Carvings provides newly expanded, combined edition of the two most popular books on Zuni fetishes and carvings nationwide! These tiny, exquisite "charm stones" make up some of the most popular Native American art in North America. Now available in a single volume, Zuni Fetishes & Carvings offers the best general reference on the subject ever available to collectors. This new edition is fully illustrated with the work of nearly 600 carvers and catalogs nearly 700 fetishes in full color.
How can fetishes help us in our daily lives? What does the bear represent? The frog? The eagle? What powers do they contain? What makes a fetish "speak" to a collector? In this deluxe edition, noted dealer in Native American art Kent McManis answers all these questions and many more. He presents the two major traditional types of fetishes: the protective/healing group and the hunting group. He describes the materials that Zuni artists carve today, such as turquoise, onyx, jet, mother-of-pearl, and Picasso marble, and shows the artist's fine techniques. He also introduces many skilled carvers - both acknowledged masters and newcomers to the craft - and includes hundreds of photos and newly updated family trees for the carvers.
In the section "The Power Of the Fetish" Kent McManis explains the fetish powers traditionally ascribed to mountain lions, bears, badgers, wolves, eagles, moles, coyotes, bobcats, frogs and turtles, snakes, owls and other birds, game animals, domesticated animals, local animals, non-local animals, corn maidens and maidens, and humans and miscellaneous figures. The section "Carving Materials" covers and is illustrated with fetishes carved from alabaster, serpentine, Picasso marble, jet, black marble, pipestone, turquoise and related minerals, dolomite, fluorite, miscellaneous stones, glass, shell, antler, horn, fossilized ivory, bone, and other organic materials.

Zuni Fetishes & Carvings is also a great motif and idea book for lapidaries and carvers who are interested in Zuni carving and would like to incorporate elements of their designs, techniques and materials into their own work.