Learn how to master special shaped cabochon cutting, assembled stones, star stones, and cat's eyes. Special sections on opal and jade.

For over half a century, Gem Cutting has served as the go-to guide for beginners and experts alike. Offering a wealth of information for everyone, it starts with the fundamentals and leads logically to techniques and projects that will challenge even the most advanced cutter. Every step is described in detail and illustrated with drawings and photographs. Sinkankas covers common pitfalls and, wherever possible, offers hints on how to take money-saving shortcuts. Incorporating tips on operating equipment for greatest efficiency, he explains how to make or choose equipment for sawing, grinding, sanding, and other basic operations. Special chapters describe how to cut and polish cabochons, faceted gems, spheres and beads; how to tumble gems; and how to make carvings, engravings, inlays, and mosaics.

Profiling nearly 200 types of rocks and minerals from volcanic rocks and granite to sparkling diamonds and explosive sulfur, DK's Pocket Genius: Rocks and Minerals digs deep beneath the surface, informing young readers what each rock is made of, how they are formed and what they are used for, how to be a rock collector, and how to identify rocks and minerals. Also highlighting landmarks such as Devils Tower, Giant's Causeway, and Shiprock Pinnacle, this Pocket Genius title shows how rocks and minerals play a part in the formation of each. Catalog entries include facts provided at-a-glance information, while locator icons offer immediately recognizable references to aid navigation and understanding, and fact files round off the book with fun facts such as record breakers and timelines. Each mini-encyclopedia is filled with facts on subjects ranging from animals to history, cars to dogs, and Earth to space and combines a child-friendly layout with engaging photography and bite-size chunks of text that will encourage and inform even the most reluctant readers.

"This book contains everything the reader needs to know to facet gemstones expertly. Includes 22 beautiful cuts"--Amazon.com.