Jewellers’ quick reference guide to working with gemstones by Sally Spencer FGA DGA

As a gemmologist & jeweller, I understand the frustration & potential financial loss when a gemstone is damaged. This guide is specifically designed for jewellers, sharing valuable gemmological information to help prevent costly mishaps.

Keep this guide on your bench as a quick reference when designing, setting or working on any piece of jewellery. 

Covering a wide range of gemstones, from common amethyst to rarer sillimanite, this resource provides crucial information on each stone's durability. Further information includes:

• Will a gemstone survive contact with files, abrasive wheels or the pickle pot?
• Can it withstand resizing, repairing, polishing or ultrasonic cleaning?
• Learn the potential risks of steam cleaning, barrel polishing & other common workshop practices.

This guide provides jewellers with the knowledge to protect gemstones & minimize costly mishaps.

So, before you throw that gem-set piece of jewellery into the barrel polisher or ultrasonic cleaner or light the torch to resize that ruby ring why not double check if there might be a reason not to…

Contents

• How to use the book with explanations for each of the various jewellery making processes - covers durability (hardness, toughness & stability, abrasives, barrel polishing, casting in place, firing in a kiln, filing, pickling, polishing, steam cleaning, heat from a torch (including firing in metal clay) & ultrasonic cleaning.
• Gemmology & how can it help
• How to use a loupe & tweezers
• Visual clues of indications how a gemstone may react to the processes (with photos)
• 130 pages of gemstone information covering more than 110 different varieties & including 181 colour photos
• Gemstone facet names, shapes & cuts
• Information about casting in place, kiln firing & torch firing gemstones
• Table of gemstones by colour
• Cleaning gemstone jewellery & care advice for customers
• Glossary

Reviews

“a must have book for anyone who makes or repairs gem set jewellery”

Andrew Berry – At the Bench

“this is the book that jewellers have always needed”

Jeanette Caines – Jewelry Arts Inc, New York

“a brilliant reference that I have used and recommended many times already”

Hayley Kruger – Jewellery Designer

About the Author

Gemmologist & jeweller Sally Spencer is the author of the Jewellers’ quick reference guide to working with gemstones, written specifically for jewellers to live on their bench & answer any “could I be about to destroy this” questions when working with gemstones.

As a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain with both Gemmology & Diamond diplomas, Sally now dedicates her time to sharing her extensive gemstone expertise with fellow jewellers.  Through her book, writing & engaging classes, she empowers jewellers to further their understanding of the gemstones they use.  This knowledge enables them to:

• Save time & money: By making informed decisions about gemstone selection & sourcing.
• Enhance the durability of their creations: By choosing appropriate gemstones for specific designs & applications.
• Increase customer satisfaction: By offering knowledgeable guidance & building trust.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pardey Publishing (1 November 2022)

Language ‏ : ‎ English

Wirebound ‏ : ‎ 184 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1838429010

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1838429010

Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 21 x 16.5 x 2.4 cm

To buy: www.sallyspencer.co.uk