This book is not intended as a how-to text. Many fine books are available which provide instruction in techniques. The intent of this text is to serve as a look-up book. My own library of jewelry texts is full of illustrations, examples and how-tos. I found that once I read a new book, it went on the shelf until I needed to find a formula, definition or mathematical data. The question was always, where was that bit of information in all those books?
The time came to collect all the data my students and I required and compile a comprehensive reference. Years in the classroom, at the bench and speaking with colleagues led to the material contained in this reference. Some of it is easily found in any jewelry text. Much of the information is difficult to find, some nearly impossible without encyclopedic references. Most jewelry texts ignore gemology and legal information entirely. Material newly generated for this text (example, ring blank size strips) has been tested over the years in my own shop and classroom.
Revisions included in this publication have been made after suggestions collected over the past five years.
The format, type size and structure of this work is intended to make it an easy reference tool. It can take its place on a desk or at the bench, where a tool belongs. Continue to build a library of how-to books; use this book.
Jeweler's Resource has become a standard reference in the jewelry industry. This revised and expanded edition includes a new section on diamond grading standards, enhanced ring size information, additional metal weight charts and formulae, and even more entries in the extensive glossary. It serves as the most complete jewelry bench reference available.
Written as a unique and practical tool for the bench jeweler and jewelry student. It also serves as the most complete counter reference available to the retail jeweler. Easy to follow text and illustrations.
Also included:
an extensive listing of gems and gem properties, diagrams of more than forty gem cutting styles,
complete lists of birthstones and birthstone alternatives, the metaphysical properties of gems,
legal standards for diamond, gold and silver marketing,formulas and chemical preparations,
unique ring size gauges and a complete listings of international ring sizes,
mathematical formulas for jewelers, and comprehensive measurement conversion and comparison tables,
an illustrated glossary of over 500 jewelry and gemology terms,
the composition and standards of all common jewelry metals
Bruce Knuth, author of the popular Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore was a fine arts specialist and instructor at Horizon High School in Thornton, Colorado. His thirty-three years as a jewelrymaker and designer, and twenty-six years in the classroom have contributed greatly to the material in this reference.
Mr. Knuth holds a B.S. degree in fine arts and an M.A. in jewelry and metals from Western Michigan University. He has also studied at the University of Kansas, Colorado State University, The Gemological Institute of America and Colorado Mountain College.
