Customer Reviews

Theory and Practice of Goldsmithing

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

 

 

The depth and amount of information in this book is staggering. The translation is great it doesn't seem stilted as a lot of translations do. It was edited by Tim Mcreigth of "the complete metalsmith" fame and was translated and published by his company. It gives way more information on the reason of why and how techniques work than any other book I have seen. In some ways it is the prefect companion to "the complete metal smith" it has a lot of the same information as it and a lot more depth. My only caveat is it can be a little dry and some times overly technical. but still it is a great work.

The Brepohl's book surely is the best book about the theory of the jewelry's affair's that I know, but isn't a project book. Is a textbook well written, with a very good english translation (the original is in german).The theory of metalurgy, that is lacking in the others books on the field, is update and well presented.In the end of some chapters there are few examples of student work, but their level is very high, and isn't showed all details of how to get it. If you want to know why and not only how, you must have this book.

This book is unparalleled in its information about precious metals. I would almost trade all my other metal books for this one alone. Well worth the cost and indispensable to a Goldsmith. If you want to work in metal, from iron to platinum, you need this book. Very technical but the information is invaluable and can be applied to any metal medium. My copy has some duplicate pages in the 50-60 range, but nothing was left out. That is my only complaint and I am sure it was just a binding error that may be in only my book as none of the others I have seen do.

THEORY AND PRACTICE OF GOLDSMITHING first saw print in East Germany in 1961, becoming a major resource of jewelers, sculptors and others working in metals: this is the first English language edition, and any metalworker will quickly find it indispensable. From silversmithing to chainmaking and setting stones, techniques, melt diagrams, specifications, and heated metal effects are surveyed in very technical chapters appropriate for practicing goldsmiths and advanced students. You won't find these advanced discussions easily elsewhere, so any college-level library or studio reference collection needs to add THEORY AND PRACTICE OF GOLDSMITHING to their list of foundation references.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This isn't a project book and the information is astounding. The technical theory is intriguing, which helps to explain much of why some things happen. This book is a must for all jewellers if they are serious about metalcraft. This book is best book on metalsmithing that I have - I wish I had bought it earlier.

This encyclopedic volume provides a range of information I haven't seen elsewhere. It starts with an extensive survey of the physical and chemical properties of the jeweler's metals and alloys, with lots of detail about the metallurgy. In fact, I've only ever seen that level of thoroughness in engineering texts.

The strongly technical note remains throughout the book, even in chapters intended to guide studio artists in specific techniques. Chemistry gets a whole chapter of its own, followed by one on the basic processes used by metalsmiths. Chapters on technique follow, including one on machine tools (normally a rarity for studio jewelers) and another on plating and electroforming. The latter I found interesting, but reliant on chemicals too hazardous for my workspace. Brepohl finishes with a chapter on the special problems of repair work, especially when other repairs have already been attempted and botched.

Any book this size will have a few typos. This has its share, for example the blooper on p.426 that suggests mixing a water solution at 400 degrees C. I can read that as 40C easily enough, but it erodes unconditional trust in other material this book presents. I found some odd omissions, too. The discussion on granulation missed a technique that I thought was well established: making granules from fused jump rings, which eliminated the sizing problem by guaranteeing a constant amount of metal in each one.

Despite that, and despite its quaint-looking B&W photos, this book really does have a lot to offer. In particular, the ongoing emphasis on the chemical equations in each transformation appeals to my nerdy side, and gives a level of understanding that I find very helpful. A beginner won't get much from this text, but advancing artisans stand to learn a lot.

-- wiredweird

This book is absolutely a must for all jewelry students at the college level. Detailed information on any technique, lots of very useful drawings, plenty of great tips. I love this book despite it costs a lot, but I know I will use it for years!

Extremely technical and only for those initiated. No, pretty pictures or design ideas, just hard facts in physics and chemistry of metalwork. Recommended reading for advanced crafters who want to know why, rather than how. Originally written in German, there are some slight difference in terminology used by English speaking jewellers.