”500 Wedding Rings: Celebrating a Classic Symbol of Commitment” by Lark Crafts.
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DESCRIPTION: Softcover. Publisher: Lark Crafts (2008). Pages: 420. Size: 8¼ x 8 x 1¼ inches; 2½ pounds. Wedding rings symbolize commitment and eternal love—but in the hands of the world’s most creative jewelers they become works of art to interpret in endlessly intriguing ways. This breathtaking book, which showcases a stunning collection of contemporary, handmade wedding bands and engagement rings for men and women, shows just how far their imaginations can go. Masterfully set diamonds stand alongside conceptual designs that reflect a cutting-edge approach, such as Etienne Perret’s ring made for two fingers. The large gems in James Kaya’s sleek platinum setting, by contrast, seem almost suspended in air; it’s the tension of the surrounding metal that holds them in place. For jewelers in search of new ideas, and those about to whisper “I do,” these designs provide beautiful inspiration.
CONDITION: NEW. New (albeit faintly "shopworn") oversized softcover. Lark Crafts (2008) 408 pages. Unblemished except for very mild shelfwear. Inside the book is pristine; the pages are clean, crisp, unmarked, unmutilated, tightly bound, and "unread", likely that the first 20-30 pages of the book were flipped through a few times while in the bookstore (though of course, there's no reading crease to the spine). Again, to repeat, though the pages are absolutely pristine and the book has clearly never been "read", it seems likely that a few bookstore browsing "lookie-loo's" flipped though the first 20-30 pages of the book while it was on the bookstore shelf. From the outside the book evidences faint edge and corner shelfwear to the covers, principally in the form of very faint "crinkling" to the paper covering the spine head and heel, as well as the top edge of the front cover. Also, if you hold the book up to a light source and scrutinize it intently, you might notice very faint scuffing and a few faint impressions to the front cover (as if the book was laying flat on the bookshelf, front cover down, for a brief period of time). Notwithstanding the likelihood that someone may have flipped through the book once or twice while it was on the bookseller's shelf offered for sale, the condition of the book is entirely consistent with a new book from an open-shelf bookstore environment (such as Barnes & Noble or B. Dalton, for example) wherein patrons are permitted to browse the open bookshelves and so otherwise "new" books might show minor signs of routine handling; i.e., shelfwear, browsing wear, or other minute superficial cosmetic blemishes, consequence of simply being shelved and re-shelved. Satisfaction unconditionally guaranteed. In stock, ready to ship. No disappointments, no excuses. PROMPT SHIPPING! HEAVILY PADDED, DAMAGE-FREE PACKAGING! #8677d.
PLEASE SEE DESCRIPTIONS AND IMAGES BELOW FOR DETAILED REVIEWS AND FOR PAGES OF PICTURES FROM INSIDE OF BOOK.
PLEASE SEE PUBLISHER, PROFESSIONAL, AND READER REVIEWS BELOW.
PUBLISHER REVIEWS:
REVIEW: Presents a wide range of creative wedding ring designs from the world's most innovative designers and jewelers, showcasing a collection of contemporary, handmade wedding bands and engagement rings for both men and women by Etienne Peret, James Kaya, and other artists.
REVIEW: Wedding rings symbolize commitment and eternal love - but in the hands of the world's most creative jewelers they become works of art. This title showcases a collection of contemporary, handmade wedding bands and engagement rings for men and women.
REVIEW: One of Lark’s most distinctive and popular lines, this is the series lovers of fine craftsmanship rave about. It provides an overview of the best work of contemporary jewelers. Each book is juried by an expert, features informative introductory text, and showcases spectacular images of state-of-the-art work. The first entry in the series was published in 2002. Since then, over 35 books have followed, and new titles release each season. With an international roster of contributors that includes both established names and up-and-coming craftspeople, each volume spotlights the shared and divergent approaches taken by artists who are producing visionary work. Filled with lavish photographs, these gorgeous books inspire crafters and collectors, artists and aficionados—anyone who enjoys celebrating the creative spirit.
PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS:
REVIEW: The title for this book almost made me hesitate to purchase this, to say I am ecstatic I did is an understatement. The tag line of celebrating commitment also does not do justice. Whilst the intent is to focus on the arena of weddings, the vast majority of the rings shown could be worn by anyone at anytime, certainly not "restricted" to weddings.
A wonderful array of styles and techniques are showcased, I especially loved the use of non precious metals such as iron, set between gold - fabulous contrasts of raw, uncut stones alongside the sparkle of brilliant cut gems. All the precious metals are here of course as are the precious and semi precious gems. It was good to see a small number of non traditional materials being used such as rubber, acrylics, resins etc.
There are indeed a couple of pieces that stretch the imagination in this field, a few that are in my opinion hard to be classified in the wedding/commitment category, but who are we to judge another artists vision? Simply marvel at the construction of this wonderful adornment. Folded, Formed, Inlaid, Fabricated, Mokume Gane, Forged, Etched, the list goes on and on, every technique and style imaginable seems to be represented, best still - 95% of them are wearable.
I would go so far as to say I prefer this book to 1000 Rings, and I liked 1000 Rings a great deal. I have this book in my studio where students are free to browse through the library, to date no one has made any comment other than "I need this book".
REVIEW: The crisp, bright pictures are what I loved the most about "500 Wedding Rings". As a Jewelry Designer I found this to be a great idea book, one to use as a reference or like a spring board to jump off of in creating my own designs. I am very inspired by other artists that take metal to places that I did not realize it could go!
REVIEW: This book is an excellent, great quality, great pictures and a great selection of rings to studied, from the very simple to the very complicated. You will find ring styles that you probably use and some others that are just to put them in exhibition. All in all a great book for inspirational purposes to use in my workshop here in Chile. I recommend this book, it is excellent!
REVIEW: A wonderful collection of individually made wedding rings that would stir the imagination of the least creative of all of us! This is among my top books for inspiration when setting to work!
REVIEW: I am an artist and a jeweler and I love to peruse this book for inspiration. This would also be an excellent book for couples looking for ideas for unique wedding rings. Lots of great photos and ideas.
REVIEW: As usual with Lark books, gorgeous photos of incredible jewelry. Lark books, particularly the Rings books, are my favorite source of design inspiration.
READER REVIEWS:
REVIEW: Many years ago, my husband and I made a commitment to each other. I would share with him all of my worldly goods. I was the only one working. He,I n turn, would finish school and then share with me all of his income-derived worldly goods. To seal our love, he gave me his mother's diamond wedding ring. I in turn, many years later, gave this diamond to my son to share with his beloved.
After viewing "500 Wedding Rings," I am amazed how the styles have evolved. The creative genius of this collective group is mind-boggling. The author states that "ancient civilizations living along the fertile valley plains of the Nile River were the first people to form tokens of commitment." Grasses and reeds were twisted and turned into this expression of commitment. Iron, with its amazing strength, was utilized both then and today.
As a child, I remember sitting on my front porch where I had gathered a pile of small clover flowers. I then proceeded to tie them into garlands of necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Problem, they didn't last very long, but they didn't cost very much either.
Today's rings, as featured in this lovely visual book, are unique and inspirational. They range from the the almost preposterous to the sublime. They are woven, fused, fabricated, oxidized, brushed, machined, cast, etched, welded, forged, and repoussed, etc. Materials used are steel, mesh, wood, resin, gold, platinum, silver, glass, copper, magnets, brass, plastic tubing, velcro, fabric, mokume,etc. This list of techniques and materials are as never ending as some couple's commitment to one another.
If I could persuade my husband to consider a new wedding ring purchase, I would choose this book as his bible. I wouldn't be demanding. "Just select one of the designers featured here, and I will guarantee our union will last at least another 25 years." We will soon celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary.
REVIEW: This is an amazing collection of work. I own all the lark 500 books. One of my favorites was “1000 Rings” because of its combination of outlandish and imaginative ideas, I found it very inspiring even though at that point I wasn't really constructing rings myself. However, this one is better, in my humble opinion. The “wearability” of the ring styles portrayed is much higher and more realistic. Quite a lot more of precious metals too.
You can take this book to be 500 "wedding" rings or 500 just plain awesome rings - it doesn't matter, they are still stunning. This is, like the others, not an instruction book, there are no projects. Its a collection of inspiring works to inspire and appreciate for both jewelers and collectors. If you liked any of the 500 books, I'd be quite confident that you would really like this one - the standard seems to have leapt up a few notches. Really, really stunning.
REVIEW: I have most of the lark jewelry series they have done - 1000 rings, 500 necklaces, 500 earrings etc. This addition to the series is a success! It’s a gorgeous book of rings, some more matrimonial than others, but all stunning. I think that there is a higher "wearability" factor with this rings book too. In 1000 rings, which was one of my favorites, some of the rings where whacky and some outlandish but still brilliant and inspiring. This book has a different class of rings. It is very, very inspiring for jewelers or collectors etc.
This is a beautiful collection with many styles to see. As with all these coffee table types books Lark Crafts have done, it is not a project book. It’s a gathering of amazing work presented as a gallery - so is good as inspiration etc. Brilliant, I'm very pleased with this one. There is probably a lot more in this book that can really be worn by people. The book definitely broadens the wedding band or engagement ring spectrum! I can see these as wedding rings or normal beautiful rings - whichever you prefer! If you like any of the other lark 500 books, I feel that you will really like this one.
REVIEW: This book is similar to “1000 Rings”, but I think the rings in this book tend to be more wearable. Its a good book. I think I would have preferred it if the book was just “500 Rings”, rather than making it about a specific type of ring (i.e., “wedding” rings). Any ring could be a wedding or engagement ring if it was used as such, but I get the impression that when some of these rings were made, the maker had no thoughts of the ring being a wedding ring. What makes a ring a wedding ring? If you like “1000 Rings”, “500 Earrings”, “500 Brooches”, “500 Necklaces”, etc, you’ll enjoy this one as well.
REVIEW: This book is part of a series by Lark Crafts. These books have served me and many people I know as a source of Inspiration. They show one of a kind, hand made pieces by artists from all over the world. Some of the pieces also have descriptions from the artist about what inspired the piece or the ideas behind it. In a classroom, students could look at these books for ideas and see where other artists take their ideas from.
REVIEW: I bought this book as I am about to get married and wanted some inspiration for designing my wedding rings. Although this is a great book packed full of interesting ideas, not all of the styles I would consider as not necessarily wedding rings. That said, I love this book for its quality works and would recommend it to anyone designing or interested in wedding rings.
REVIEW: This is a great book for ring designers! So, many great looks and ideas. My daughter is also a wedding consultant and she has a copy as a table book for couples to look at and get ideas on wedding bands! Great book!
REVIEW: This book gives you a fascinating tour throughout a huge variety of amazing and creative rings. Either if you are a jewelry aficionado or are going to get married, this compilation is a must-have.
REVIEW: WOW! I had the opportunity to see the whole book 1 week before publication from one of the authors and all I can say it will make you speechless! I wrote down like 35 page number notes in my notebook to look again some designs when I'll get my copy! Lark Books is genius!
REVIEW: Many beautiful designs. I appreciate ideas and details of process and materials used on the parts. Helpful and rich. Excellent!
REVIEW: Wonderful photographs and descriptions. An excellent addition to my resource library. This book is well worth the money.
REVIEW: “500 Wedding Rings: Celebrating a Classic Symbol of Commitment”. Best 500 book yet. Not as ‘arty’ or filled with student projects as some of the 500 books. Good ideas for all-round rings, not just wedding rings.
REVIEW: “500 Rings” by Lark Crafts is inspirational. Lots of beautiful pictures. Great gift or coffee table book.
REVIEW: A work of art! History of rings in pictures. Unusual, eccentric!
REVIEW: This contains many beautiful ring with gives me much inspiration.
REVIEW: I love ALL of the 500 books from Lark. They are great for inspiration and for learning new artists. I have almost the whole series!
REVIEW: Five stars! Great source of information and inspiration.
REVIEW: Some truly stunning designs. Clever, creative, unique.
REVIEW: This added to my collection in the 500 series, it is a beautiful book and is well presented. I have spent a long time looking and reading
REVIEW: Worth getting, good value for money. A varied, contemporary compendium of high quality images, of high quality work.
REVIEW: Fabulous pictures of a range of designs and materials ideal for my university jewelry course
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