Gem Cutting : A Lapidary's Manual - Sinkankas

1962 hardcover with 297 pages. Large format. Dust jacket in poor condition. Celotape marks in front and back. R50 postage in SA.

To this day, this often recommended and much sought after book from the golden age of lapidary in the 1950s and 1960s remains the authoritative how-to book and reference on the hobby and art of lapidary. No other book on lapidary has since been authored with the authority, experience and knowledge of John Sinkankas that is as comprehensive in scope or as clear and thorough in its explanations and discussion of lapidary processes and techniques. Gem Cutting, A Lapidary's Manual is written for the beginner and expert alike. It deals simply with the fundamentals and leads logically into techniques and projects which will challenge even the most advanced cutters. The contents of Gem Cutting, A Lapidary's Manual are organized into 19 chapters: 1 Gemstones - The Raw Material Of The Lapidary; 2 How To Get Started; 3 Sawing; 4 Grinding; 5 Lapping; 6 Sanding; 7 Polishing; 8 All-Purpose Units; 9 Drilling; 10 Cabochon Gems; 11 How To Cut Cabochons; 12 Faceted Gems; 13 Faceting Equipment; 14 How To Cut Faceted Gems; 15 Spheres And Beads; 16 Tumbling; 17 Carving And Engraving; 18 Mosaic And Inlay Work; 19 Treatment of Gemstones. Appendices provide Mechanical Tables of RPM Verses Pulley Diameter and Rim Speeds For Saws And Wheels; Weights And Measures Useful To The Gem Cutter; Tables Of Angles For Faceted Gems; Magazines And Books. A comprehensive Index is included. Advice is provided on selecting and buying rough gemstones, and how to examine them for best results. An important section on the description and treatment of gemstones was enlarged in the second edition to include more species."