Featuring over 450 specially commissioned photographs and information-rich text, this book illustrates each stone's unique characteristics and explains its relationship to humankind through the ages.

    The Jeweler's Directory of Decorative Finishes covers 15 different techniques for creating various decorative finishes from start to finish. More than 350 step-by-step illustrations and photographs guide jewelers through techniques including patination, granulation, fusing and more. Adding gold foil, developing patterns that contrast with by layering metals and inlays, creating exquisite etchings and engravings and more are covered. Illustrations demonstrate various combinations of the different finishes, while instructions bear practical safety tips. An inspiring gallery of work by professional jewelers, using the techniques taught in this easy-to-understand working resource.

    Marjorie Simon, a distinguished presence in the jewelry field, chose the pieces, and every one features the fine craftsmanship of a top contemporary jeweler. The breathtaking and provocative styles range from traditional to very avant-garde, and the brooches come not only in gold, silver, copper, and wire, but also in glass, porcelain, paper, and other more unusual materials. They're forged, soldered, chased, and cast, and surface embellishments run the gamut from enamel and metal foils to patinas and inlay. In some cases, detail images and artist's comments accompany the full-size photos. Jewelers, students, collectors, and anyone who loves exquisite items will appreciate the amazing diversity on display here.

    Clear step-by-step instructions along with useful tips will inspire the beginner as well as the more advanced knotter. Included are 10 great jewelry projects for earrings, bracelets, pins and necklaces. 80 pages with over 130 black and white detailed illustrations. Explore the possibilities of using fine-scale macrame in combination with beads to create jewelry that is both beautiful to look at and fun to make.

    Using a pasta machine and polymer clay, the fun to make projects in this book are gorgeous!  Make beads, embellishments and baubles!