The Rings Book (Jewellery Handbooks) Reviews
This practical jewelry handbook looks at the history and significance of rings and then guides the reader through a series of step-by-step projects. This edition features a brand-new gallery at the back of the book, newly designed content, and a stunning new cover.
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(out of 7 reviews)
List Price: $ 29.95
Price: $ 16.96
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Review by Terry Ogden for The Rings Book (Jewellery Handbooks)
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I was looking for a book on making rings and creating stone settings for them, and this is it. It has been the catalyst for a bracelet, the synclastic ring on Pg 46 for the general shape, and Mount 9 on page 85 with a cabochon of my own cutting. The information is more applicable than just rings, and the techniques for creating mounts has also worked well on my pendants. It has proved well worth the money.
Review by Megan Jeche for The Rings Book (Jewellery Handbooks)
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I’m very picky about any instructional book that I buy, it can be hard to find good ones, with clear instructions, enough detail and enough breath of projects. This is one that I would recomend. It has clear directions on the ring shanks, setting and mounting the stones. It focus on certain aspects, but also mentioned related items, like working with platium, casting and a few other alternatives. Enough is mentioned that you can get a start with it if you wish, but doesnt croud the pages with out of topic information. The only thing I could wish changed is the “formula” for creating the correct sized settings. This is the only section that isnt very clear (to me). It can use a few more images there, and some more explination, but I think i have it figured out. (its only 1.5 pages out of over 100)
Other than that, a wonderfull book.
Review by Reader for The Rings Book (Jewellery Handbooks)
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While this is a clearly written, well illustrated book, the target audience may be quite narrow: advanced enough to skip details of basic operations and some construction details but still quite basic (bezels are clearly explained, for example).
The project rings are beautiful and include some interesting techniques (setting stones from behind and tapered chevalier ring, for example). Personally, I found little new in the book.
Jinks McGrath includes basic setting instructions as well, but neglects to give stone characteristics enough emphasis. FLuorite is much too soft for a beginner to bezel (most tools will scratch fluorite easily) and tanzanite has perfect cleavage: it will easily chip or split during setting. Even experienced setters are wary of these stones. The stone lover in me also protests against the ugly, washed out pictures of stones used in the List of Stones.
I was also not impressed with her technique for tension setting. All the work hardening is lost when the piece is (unnecessarily) soldered. This way, the stone can easily fall out, even with the beads holding it (which won’t help if something forces the ring out).
Review by Linda for The Rings Book (Jewellery Handbooks)
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The Rings Book is really excellent – not only for the pictures, but for the “how to” descriptions which really do work. I surprised myself at my ability! It’s one of the best books I have bought.
Linda
Review by Aimee A. Domash for The Rings Book (Jewellery Handbooks)
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I have many, many, many metalsmithing books. I read them inside and out! This book will really open your eyes to how things are made. The pictures could be better…and there are some steps that leave you up in the air a little…but the basics are there and that is what counts. There are also good tips in the book. I think that for anyone that wants to step up their skills this is a great book to take you to that next level. Ring making is hard…this book is a definite on my shelf!!!!!