Rock and Gem Polishing

A Complete Guide to Amateur Lapidary

by Edward Fletcher

Blandford Press, 1973, ISBN 0713706171, colour photographic plates, black and white photographs, photographic frontispiece, hardcover with photographic boards

Very Good Condition, some edge and shelf wear, some rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, a little discolouration to covers, no inscriptions (see photographs)

“Rock and Gem Polishing is the amateur’s guide to finding, cutting, shaping, polishing and masking jewellery from rocks and semi-precious stones which you can either find yourself on exciting rockhounding expeditions by referring to the location maps and identification hints in this book, or buy from the many lapidary shops and suppliers throughout the country, who import more spectacular foreign stones.  The machines and equipment required for cutting a pebble in half, cutting a slab, preforming pebbles before tumble-polishing, cutting cabochons and simple faceting, are discussed in detail, and every stage of operation is explained simply and thoroughly.  Instructional photographs and diagrams and beautiful colour plates support the text.  There is also a list of lapidary suppliers and a chapter on simple geology for those who lie to know as much as possible about the rocks and gems they find.”