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Gem and Lapidary Materials
Rocks and Minerals, May 1997
From the faceted fluorite on the cover to the seven-page bibliography at the back, this book is full of information and inspiration. Even though scientists and artists view minerals differently, lapidary artists must consider such scientific principles as hardness and cleavage besides color and durability. This applies whether carving cameos, tumbling gem-tree stones, shaping spheres, faceting with frosted finishes, or polishing cabinet specimens.
Zeitner assumes her reader knows basics like Mohs scale and would recognize materials such as sugilite and malachite. Using lots of anecdotes and specific examples, she can vividly describe thirty-four different varieties of jasper, give tips on mail-order buying, or explain the manufacturing process of synthetic stones, all in easily understood terms.
Material descriptions include colors, special qualities or enhancements, size range, evaluation of rough, locations and current availability, uses, polishing recommendations, historical background, where spectacular examples can be seen, and even local or trade names. (Amarillas are yellow apatites from Durango; mookaite is an Australian chert; trystine is an earlier name for ametrine.)
One chapter covers the "classic" gems of history, when all green gems were "emeralds" even if they were peridots. Several chapters discuss quartz varieties, from eight specific moss agates to binghamite and the animal-vegetable-or-mineral pseudomorphs.
A reference to Bernd Munsteiner's faceted fantasy cuts revealed this book lacks an index of illustrations. Suggestion: Look at all the pictures first. Many of the pieces have appeared in magazines or at shows; you may remember them.
There are far more materials for cabochons and carvings than for faceting, Zeitner says. These range from amazonite through lapis to zoisite, with even more varieties of opal than of jasper!
Other lapidary materials may be metallic, such as hematite and mohawkite, or organic, such as coal, coral, and tortoiseshell. Manmade materials include goldstone, Victoria Stone, and Linde star sapphires. Then there are rare and unusual "collector's stones" for lapidaries, such as dioptase and wulfenite.
The lapidary artist's skill adds value to such readily available materials as granite, shale, and calcite. Skill is also needed to expose the beauty of "those most challenging of cabochon materials," phenomenal stones. Did you know that in the nineteenth century white moonstone was popular for engagement rings because the shimmering stone resembled bridal satin?
This practical reference book also provides pleasurable browsing.
-Diane Dare
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Lapidary Journal, Jan 1997
"June Culp Zeitner has a new book in the stores. For her fans, and they are legion, that is enough said. Gem and Lapidary Materials...will doubtless grab the usual Zeitner publication position at the top of the best-reader lists.
The book will appeal to gem overs of all types, including cutters, carvers, collectors and appraisers. it is easy to see what drives up sales of Zeitner's books and solicits large crowds at signings: her writing is clear and direct, the material is well-organized and beautifully illustrated. Further Zeitner is a fine teacher who gives her readers a complete tour of the background of gems and lapidary materials with an overview of materials used in lapidary arts throughout history. She is an artisan as well as an artist.
In logical progression, Zeitner guides her reader through transparent faceting materials, cryptocrystalline quartz, pseudomorphs, cabochons and carving materials, ornamental and decorative gem materials, phenomenal gems, metallic gems, rare gems and laboratory-made gems. She combines photos, charts, illustrations, and text to explain all the elements in gem and lapidary materials from how the materials are formed or where they are found, to the differences in their uses by lapidaries. She also explains the varied techniques that jewelry artist use.
June Zeitner has been a prolific writer on lapidary arts, gems, and minerals for Lapidary Journal since the '60s. Zeitner fans who seek out her columns and have read everything she has ever written will not be disappointed in the informational nuggets in her latest book.
....A reading list ends each chapter so those seeking more specific knowledge will know exactly where to find it. Besides covering history, sources and supply for gem and lapidary materials, Zeitner has included useful Refractive Index and Gemstone Dispersion charts, along with complete lists of gem and mineral Educational Associations, and Publications...
This book is an important contribution to the gems/minerals/lapidary field. It is a "must have" for anyone even remotely interested in gems and minerals.
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Economic Geology Vol.91:7, 1996
June Zeitner's name is legendary in the lapidary hobby movement. She has been writing articles about gems and minerals, localities and jewelry making since the birth of the American lapidary movement in the 1960s. The book, her largest effort to date is an attempt to catalog and describe all of the existing geologic materials that lend themselves to the artistry of the lapidarist. Her emphasis is on the idea that gem cutting and carving are true art forms and the resulting products should likewise be considered to be fine art.
....This book is the best work in print for information on regional jasper names and all the bewildering varieties of crystalline and cryptocrystalline quartz....this book is not meant to be treatise or scientific tome. Rather it is meant to be a survey report that documents the range of minerals and rocks currently being worked by lapidary artists. The book does not try to support terminology of dubious validity, but rather acknowledges the existence and widespread use of this terminology in the marketplace....Although aimed primarily at the hobbyist, it could find a useful place on the shelves of anyone trying to make sense out of the immense range of stone products that ultimately appear in jewelry.
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Lapidary Journal, Jan 1997
"June Culp Zeitner has a new book in the stores. For her fans, and they are legion, that is enough said. Gem and Lapidary Materials...will doubtless grab the usual Zeitner publication position at the top of the best-reader lists.
The book will appeal to gem overs of all types, including cutters, carvers, collectors and appraisers. it is easy to see what drives up sales of Zeitner's books and solicits large crowds at signings: her writing is clear and direct, the material is well-organized and beautifully illustrated. Further Zeitner is a fine teacher who gives her readers a complete tour of the background of gems and lapidary materials with an overview of materials used in lapidary arts throughout history. She is an artisan as well as an artist.
In logical progression, Zeitner guides her reader through transparent faceting materials, cryptocrystalline quartz, pseudomorphs, cabochons and carving materials, ornamental and decorative gem materials, phenomenal gems, metallic gems, rare gems and laboratory-made gems. She combines photos, charts, illustrations, and text to explain all the elements in gem and lapidary materials from how the materials are formed or where they are found, to the differences in their uses by lapidaries. She also explains the varied techniques that jewelry artist use.
June Zeitner has been a prolific writer on lapidary arts, gems, and minerals for Lapidary Journal since the '60s. Zeitner fans who seek out her columns and have read everything she has ever written will not be disappointed in the informational nuggets in her latest book.
A reading list ends each chapter so those seeking more specific knowledge will know exactly where to find it. Besides covering history, sources and supply for gem and lapidary materials, Zeitner has included useful Refractive Index and Gemstone Dispersion charts, along with complete lists of gem and mineral Educational Associations, and Publications...
This book is an important contribution to the gems/minerals/lapidary field. It is a "must have" for anyone even remotely interested in gems and minerals.
|
Economic Geology Vol.91:7, 1996
June Zeitner's name is legendary in the lapidary hobby movement. She has been writing articles about gems and minerals, localities and jewelry making since the birth of the American lapidary movement in the 1960s. The book, her largest effort to date is an attempt to catalog and describe all of the existing geologic materials that lend themselves to the artistry of the lapidarist. Her emphasis is on the idea that gem cutting and carving are true art forms and the resulting products should likewise be considered to be fine art.
This book is the best work in print for information on regional jasper names and all the bewildering varieties of crystalline and cryptocrystalline quartz....this book is not meant to be treatise or scientific tome. Rather it is meant to be a survey report that documents the range of minerals and rocks currently being worked by lapidary artists. The book does not try to support terminology of dubious validity, but rather acknowledges the existence and widespread use of this terminology in the marketplace....Although aimed primarily at the hobbyist, it could find a useful place on the shelves of anyone trying to make sense out of the immense range of stone products that ultimately appear in jewelry.
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