The object of this book is to provide as complete a guide as possible to all aspects of lapidary art and craft within a comparatively small compass and at a moderate price. The book caters for omnivorous appetites, and any reader, be he beginner or advanced lapidary, will find it of absorbing interest.Tumbling, cutting cabochons, faceting, inlays, doublets, chemical staining, lapidary machinery and amateur machine construction, including some original designs, simple jewelry making, lost wax casting, the fundamental properties of minerals important to the lapidary, are all discussed concisely but in sufficient detail to work from, with a wealth of practical advice, which is underlined by many illustrations in half-tone and line. Useful information has been tabulated for handy reference.