“500 Gemstone Jewels: A Sparkling Collection of Dazzling Designs” by Lark Crafts.
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DESCRIPTION: Softcover. Publisher: Lark Craft (2010). Pages: 420. Size: 8 x 8 x 1¼ inches; 2½ pounds. Gemstones are the rarest and most enticing material a jeweler can work with, and this newest entry in the acclaimed 500 series showcases a rainbow of stones, from rough and natural to fully-faceted precious jewels. The pieces include rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, and even a tiara, and they’re set in every imaginable kind of material, both precious and non-precious: gold, glass, platinum, palladium, iron, resin, silver, and more. The work ranges from Christo Kiffer's delicate and expressive "Tourmaline Moth Brooch," with its rich green tourmalines and sparkling diamonds, to a devastatingly beautiful necklace by master jeweler Daphne Krinos. The international roster of contributing jewelers includes Todd Reed, Cesar Lim, Eleanor Moty, Karl Fritsch, Ralph Bakker, Michael Zobel Gurhan, Diana Vincent, Alex Sepkus, Mark Schneider, Barbara Heinrich, Gijs Bakker, Kent Raible, Pat Flynn, George Sawyer, Thomas Herman, Paula Crevoshay, Sarah Graham.
CONDITION: LIKE NEW. Unread (albeit cosmetically blemished) softcover. Lark Crafts (2010) 420 pages. Though unread, the original owner did write their name, in ink, along the top edge of the first page beneath the front cover. Except for that, the inside of the book is pristine; the pages are clean, crisp, (otherwise) unmarked, unmutilated, tightly bound, unambiguously unread. From the outside, of greatest significance is that the back side of the spine head was lightly bumped. Though it was so light that the pages beneath were not dented, it did leave a 1/4 inch "skin deep" split in the paper covering of the spine (the spine beneath is not damaged, it's just in the surface layer of paper covering). Otherwise the outside of the book is unblemished except for faint crinkling to the cover's spine head and heel, as well as the cover "tips" (the four open corners of the covers, top and bottom, front and back). Except for the name written in ink to the top edge of the first page in the book, the overall condition of the book is not too far distant from what might pass as "new" (albeit "shelfworn") stock from an open-shelf book store (such as Barnes & Noble, or B. Dalton, for instance) wherein patrons are permitted to browse open stock and so otherwise "new" books often have become blemished and/or show handling/shelf/browsing wear consequence of routine handling and simply being shelved and re-shelved over an extended period of time. Satisfaction unconditionally guaranteed. In stock, ready to ship. No disappointments, no excuses. PROMPT SHIPPING! HEAVILY PADDED, DAMAGE-FREE PACKAGING! 8673f.
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: The lure of gemstones is a strong one. The rarest material a jeweler can work with, gemstones are, to put it simply, both beautiful and captivating. It becomes apparent that there is also virtually no limit to the ideas that can be expressed through them as illustrated by the diverse pieces of jewelry presented in this juried collection.
“500 Gemstone Jewels” features contemporary work that shows how these exquisite natural materials can be reshaped and transformed by some of the finest artists in the world, all of whom bring different perspectives and sensibilities to bear on the creative proves.
When Cindy Edelstein chose the jewelry to appear in this collection, she focuses on harmony, simplicity, and ease of design. Included is a fabulous array of work, from rings and earrings to brooches and necklaces. You’ll see ma rainbow of both rough stones and faceted gemstones: diamonds, pearls, rubies, sapphires, rock crystal, pink tourmaline, and more. Sometimes a gemstone is used to finish a design, and sometimes it is the design, such as when an opal mimics the ocean.
From the extraordinary “Bellybutton Ornament” to the lovely “Canary Island Lava Bangle”, the vast range of designs in “500 Gemstone Jewels” will surprise, provoke, and delight.
REVIEW: The jewelry in this new entry in the acclaimed 500 series showcases a rainbow of stones, from rough and natural to fully-faceted precious gems. There are rings, earrings and even a tiara, set in every imaginable kind of material. The work ranges from Christo Kiffer's delicate and expressive 'Tourmaline Moth Brooch,' to a devastatingly beautiful necklace by master jeweler Daphne Krinos.
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.
REVIEW: 500 Gemstone Jewels showcases a rainbow of beautiful gemstones, from rough and natural to fully faceted and their use in jewelry designs. From rings, earrings, necklaces and even a tiara, these pieces display gemstones set in every imaginable kind of material, both precious and non precious. Use this book as a source of design inspiration and to get a new perspective on some of the gemstones available to you.
REVIEW: Juror Cindy Edelstein began her career as a writer for JCK, the nation’s leading jewelry magazine. She then launched the Jeweler’s Resource Bureau, a business geared to support the growth of jewelry design entrepreneurs. Her goal is to help artisans turn their good work into great businesses. Edelstein has written articles about issues related to the business for nearly every industry publication and in several consumer magazines. Her attention is also focused on jewelersresource.com, which brings information and business coaching to jewelry designers. Edelstein has participated in hundreds of speaking engagements, workshops, and consultations. She has received high honors from the American Jewelry Design Council, the Contemporary Design Group, the Women’s Jewelry Association, and more.
REVIEW: Editor Cindy Edelstein began her career as a fashion editor at JCK Magazine and in 1991 founded the Jeweler s Resource Bureau. She has received numerous honors, including the prestigious Benne Award from the American Jewelry Design Council and the Contemporary Design Group S award as Best Designer Advocate. In addition, the Women s Jewelry Association has twice awarded her honors for Editorial and Marketing Excellence. Cindy is also the author of “Brilliance!”
PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS:
REVIEW: My students are going to love this book! It is described as, "A Sparkling Collection of Dazzling Designs." This is not hyperbole. Thankfully, it is not a new book or I should never let it out of my hands. It is filled with wearable [treat that word as underlined] and inspirational examples of extremely varied jewels, using a wealth of techniques.
Although they pre-date the huge rise in price of gold, there are ideas in it which use minimal gold with other metals, such as iron, which still give an opulent look, and where recycled gold can be utilized, or where Japanese alloys, shibu-ichi and shaku-do, created at the workbench in small quantities from recycled metals with no specialist equipment, can be successfully employed.
Some unusual cuts that are featured appear to be stock from Joias, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK, which I have used for decades due to integrity/honesty as well as the unusualness, variety and quality of cut stones; Martin Weskamp, Dusseldorf, Germany, who has amazing non-traditional cut stones as well as beads, and Dieter Lorentz, Ida-Oberstein, Germany, whose important work was the main feature in, "Lapidary Journal," some years back.
REVIEW: If you love jewelry, you’ll want this book. If you need inspiration in your own jewelry design, you need this book! From start to finish, “500 Gemstone Jewels” is eye candy and inspiration. When the world seems dark and ugly, this book is a beautiful, shiny thing to refill your soul and inspire you to create once more. One of the 500 series from Lark Books, “500 Gemstone Jewels” show a large variety of stones worked into dramatic and surprising pieces of jewelry. The contributing artists each bring a unique style, and the collection shown in this book is breathtaking. [Craft Gossip: Jewelry Making].
REVIEW: It's time for some eye candy! A perfect volume for anyone who loves anything that's shiny, this book is a visual delight filled with endless inspiration. Every page is covered with spectacular photography of gemstone-covered jewelry. [Bead Unique].
REVIEW: “500 Gemstone Jewels” is the tenth in the series of jewelry collection books that I have purchased. I find the book to be beautifully photographed and printed, not too many words. A great way to get an idea of what is being done with gemstones by jewelry designers around the world. It is nice to see that so many of my peers have pieces featured in this book.
REVIEW: Another genius addition to Lark's 500 Series, "Gemstone Jewels" is a visual feast. This book brings together some of the most talented stone cutters, jewelers, and jewelry designers working today. The gemstones themselves are simply gorgeous and the artisans work will inspire you. Anyone who loves jewelry will love this book!
REVIEW: There are a lot of these 500 series books, I think this is the best one! The wedding rings book is also a must have!
REVIEW: A beautiful book that will be visited many times. The skill and craftmanshop is amazing. A good book for a present.
READER REVIEWS:
REVIEW: I am not a jewel driven kind of gal - most of my money goes into art supplies and the comfy clothing that I chose to wear is not conducive to wearing too many jewels. Paint and glue would not be compatible with the unearthly beauty of the gems and jewelry displayed in this beautiful book! That being said - if I could have jewels such as the ones in this book I might take a second look at my clothes and make myself fit to wear these amazing pieces. Ah! To be wealthy enough to be able to collect some of this art-to-wear.
I am a big fan of Lark Books publications and their compendiums are generally the best of the best. This is no exception to that rule. The jewelry that is displayed in this book is all pure eye candy and is sure to bring out the lust for personal adornment even to those of us who generally don't have a yen for bling - like me. This book is chock full of the latest and the greatest in modern jeweled adornment. You will find everything from pins, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings to odder things like a contact lens that is filled with gems - alien looking to be sure and I wonder how long it would be comfortable in your eye - but it looks great in the photo!
There are small 'Earth Spirit Guides, small sculptures, airy tiaras fit for the highest of debutantes. Mostly though this is a book about personal adornment - haute jewels as it were. With few exceptions I would be over the moon to be able to own any of the glorious examples in this book. The photography - as is always the case with Lark Books is superb. There was nothing to do but give it five stars for being a book that I will take great pleasure at looking at over and over again - no, I don't think I can give this one up! Kudos to Lark and to the amazing artists that are featured in this book!
REVIEW: “500 Gemstone Jewels” provides a fine jewelry survey perfect for libraries strong in jewelry and crafts, offering insights and designs by some of today's top designers. Close-up color photos of gemstones used in a range of settings showcase both gems and designs, making for a lush presentation perfect for any crafts and arts collection. The wealth of color photos and discussions of stones and settings is outstanding.
REVIEW: As with most of the lark 500 series, this is a compendium of gorgeous work filled with gemstones in all sorts of varieties and clever settings. Another beautiful coffee table book of inspiration. As with all these books - there are no instructions, projects or techniques - it is JUST pictures of lots of different work. Lots of work not seen in any other books too, which is nice. Recommend, it ranks high in the 500 series. There is also lots of brilliant metalwork - its not just gemstones, although they do, of course, feature prominently.
REVIEW: This is a gorgeous book, filled with amazing pieces and beautiful photography. It covers from traditional fine jewelry to avant guarde pieces, from diamonds in the rough to the most beautiful of colored gems. There is something in here for everyone and a lot of inspirational pieces.
REVIEW: I have already used two designs from this book to have stones mounted. There are many designs that could be worn on special occasions or even daily wear. It also has ring and necklace designs thus making it more versatile. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to have stones set into jewelry.
REVIEW: Like all Lark collections, these designs will challenge you to think outside the traditional way of creating contemporary jewelry. Includes semi-precious cabs as well as faceted stones.
REVIEW: I love all of the Lark books I have ever ordered and this is no exception. It has beautiful jewelry. As a jewelry designer, it is always fun to marvel at the creativity of other designers. The photography is excellent. You will be inspired!
REVIEW: This gorgeous book will knock your socks off. The pictures are amazing and the descriptions are certainly adequate. I bought this book to help me decide how to redesign some jewelry I inherited. I wish I had 100 pieces to redesign.
REVIEW: Eye-candy galore! This is my favorite Lark 500 book because the level of craftsmanship is very high. 500 beautiful and unusual pieces by master jewelers.
REVIEW: I am a jewelry student and this book is a great source of inspiration. All of the pieces are beautifully designed. Buy this book, you won't be disappointed.
REVIEW: Fantastic book. Photos are gorgeous and it inspires me to keep pushing myself. I love the rough stone settings!
REVIEW: This book is great. It is not a word filled book with very few pictures. It is just the opposite just lots of great pictures of inspiration for the discerning jeweler or gemologist, with very few words.
REVIEW: I own a few other books in this series and this one is fabulous, just like the others. You won't be disappointed.
REVIEW: The edition of the jewelry and quality of pictures is to recommend It gives an overview on the different uses, carved to give the stones in contemporary jewelry
REVIEW: Great book. Excellent for reference and for seeing how other's have challenged the boundary's of jewelry making.
REVIEW: This book, as with the entire lark series is a storehouse, packed full of beautiful and inspiring images. For any creative person, the images and artwork contained in this book is sure to delight and inspire.
REVIEW: Good reference and idea book for jewelry artists and sculptors. Good addition to my library. Nice collection of unique ideas.
REVIEW: Very informative and great photographs. Is laid out well and shows the incredible variety of designs, gemstones, and metals available. So much inspiration!
REVIEW: Great for inspiration and coffee tables. Not for detailed instructions. That being said, it is a lovely book.
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Most of the items I offer come from the collection of a family friend who was active in the field of Archaeology for over forty years. However many of the items also come from purchases I make in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) from various institutions and dealers. Though I have always had an interest in archaeology, my own academic background was in sociology and cultural anthropology. After my retirement however, I found myself drawn to archaeology as well. Aside from my own personal collection, I have made extensive and frequent additions of my own via purchases on Ebay (of course), as well as many purchases from both dealers and institutions throughout the world - but especially in the Near East and in Eastern Europe. I spend over half of my year out of the United States, and have spent much of my life either in India or Eastern Europe. In fact much of what we generate on Yahoo, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe connected with Anthropology and Archaeology.
I acquire some small but interesting collections overseas from time-to-time, and have as well some duplicate items within my own collection which I occasionally decide to part with. Though I have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, my primary interest is in ancient jewelry. My wife also is an active participant in the "business" of antique and ancient jewelry, and is from Russia. I would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from me. There is a $2 fee for mailing under separate cover. Whenever I am overseas I have made arrangements for purchases to be shipped out via domestic mail. If I am in the field, you may have to wait for a week or two for a COA to arrive via international air mail. But you can be sure your purchase will arrive properly packaged and promptly - even if I am absent. And when I am in a remote field location with merely a notebook computer, at times I am not able to access my email for a day or two, so be patient, I will always respond to every email. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE."
