Customer Reviews

The Jeweler's Directory of Decorative Finishes: From Enameling and Engraving to Inlay and Granulation

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Another fabulous book by the talented Jinks McGrath. This book covers a wonderfully diverse number of applications for your jewellery designs; Inlay, Enamelling, Chasing, Repousse, reticulation, ethching, fusing , foils, casting, granulation, oxidization, patination, polishing and more.

It has been brillinatly set out, First you have several pages on the actual technique used, accompanied by clear instructions and excellent photographs, you then move to another 2 pages of Samples, again, clear photos that leave you in no doubt of what the technique can do, and finally a Showcase (gallery) of works completed using that technique.

It is worth buying this book just for the photographs in the showcase alone! Overall, one of the best publications for budding jeweler's and students.

Being in the metal smithing hobby for over 30 years. I have purchased a large number of books on "Jewelry making". I found this book to be clearly written, well illustrated and done to the high level that I have come to expect from McGrath's books. For anyone interested in metal smithing this is a must have. It covers all types and kinds of decorative finishes and how to do them. From the simple to the more complex. Another one for the bench shelf to keep it with in reach. I do own it and use it.

This is absolutely the best book I have used to help me learn about Patination, enameling, engraving, inlay, granulation, chasing, repousse, reticulation and much more. The book was very well set up and easy to understand for a beginner, like me. I highly recommend this book. It is a great value.

This is a book for those wanting to see how metal reacts to various applications --- which are covered in some detail for the metal artist to try some of the procedues on their own. I was truly amazed by how simple variations for the process of Patination and Oxidation could produce such a varied coloration or patterns upon various substrates (metal). Who knew that by mixing ammonium chloride with tobacco will produce such an interested moss-evergreen color variation upon copper. Thus this book served as a great learning tool for me and allowed me to work metal without waste (particularly due to the cost of some metal these days) as the examples provided in the book gave me the confidence to move forward with my own designs. Each section is followed by wonderful gallery examples by numerous artists using the techniques described. Great ideas can be developed by reviewing the metal finishing techniques and observing the gallery examples. More info on how to actually do each technique would have also been helpful, but there is enough to enable every metal artist with significant knowledge of metal to move forward and proceed on some of the finishes described and maybe not fleshed out in the beginning of the section. So classify this book for intermediate or advanced metalsmiths...beginners can review this book, but please gain enough enough knowledge (at least for some processes) to aid in becoming bold enough to proceed. Some techniques are easy enough for beginners - the stamping, rolling-mill, polishing/matt/satin, press forming, and engraving. The other techniques - etching, patination/oxidation, casting, foil, granulation, enameling inlay, and chasing/repousse - are appropriate for those with more experience either through instruction, other book information, chemistry knowledge, and other methodologies.

However, I could only give it 4 stars since one of the most important issues was not covered in significant detail - safety. One page devoted to the subject (page 8) is NOT enough, particularly since some of the techniques are dangerous or at least require controlled conditions with appropriate protective covering of hands/eyes/clothing with stabilizing materials available in case of an accident (e.g. spilling chemicals).

This is a great book to envision the possibilities when working with metals and producing your own jewelry or fine art; and the price makes it an easy addition to your reference library.

Well worth the money. If you are interested in making jewelry
this book is for you. Clear color pictures let you see what different finishes will look like on different metals.. Well written instructions help you achieve the desired results.

This is a great reference book. Saves me hours of time from creating my own samples. I can see immediately approximately what results I can expect from different finishes.

This is a wonderful reference book not only for a beginner but for a silversmith that has much experience. I have purchased several of these books for students!

I have lots of jewelry books. This is more of "class examples" and the like. It shows many ways to do textures, finishes, etc. and shows the finished product. It has saved me the time and expense of doing them myself. What a help!

The best book on metal finishes I've ever seen. Great instructions, great photos. A must have for every jeweler.

I was hoping for something that gave me exact instructions on creating patinas on base & precious metals. This book was somewhat vague. Many of the patinas were made using a rolling mill -- an expensive item -- I had assumed it there would be more use of hand tools in lieu of machinery. Additionally, I was looking more for specific chemical recipes. Regardless, it was a nice book and I'm still happy with it. I gotten a few good tricks out of it and will get more before it's all over.