A wonderful book that answers alot of questions for the beginner jewelry maker; but it doesn't stop there! It continues ones education into the advanced technologies in jewelry making. Plus, It's a good read.

McGrath produces books that are of high quality and this is another one; however, when it states in the title "Encyclopedia" believe it. It is organized alphabetically. Yet the images and some of the guidelines for several techniques are excellent. USE THIS BOOK AS A REFERENCE. Some of the images showing a specific process/technique can be followed through by the reader to produce an interesting piece of jewelry...but the author does not do this for you. It is definitely a book for the intermediate to advanced jewelry-maker/metal designer. The section at the end "Themes" are definitely high end pieces photographed beautifully. Some information is provided by the image that indicate what the process was behind the development/design of each piece, but not enough to truly be helpful if you wanted to design something similar.

Reference - Excellent
Guidelines/How Tos - good to OK
Images - Excellent
Creative process - OK to very good
Overall Book Organization - alphabetical (so know the technique you want to review before trying to find it in the book)
Recommended Level - intermediate to advanced jewelry designer/metal artist

Once again I find myself reviewing not the book, but the "search inside" function. This one is just plain weird. Whoever decided what was to be shown of the iside of the book, left in all the instructions (!) and blanked out all of the pictures - as if you could rip off the techniques from looking at the pictures! Now the problem with this way of displaying - or not displaying the contents of a book, is that I want to see what SORT of jewelry is being turned out - or how will I know whether it is worth my while. Or my money. This is where a real bookstore comes in I guess. Or a library. Browsing is necessary to buying some sorts of books.

Once again I find myself reviewing not the book, but the "search inside" function. This one is just plain weird. Whoever decided what was to be shown of the iside of the book, left in all the instructions (!) and blanked out all of the pictures - as if you could rip off the techniques from looking at the pictures! Now the problem with this way of displaying - or not displaying the contents of a book, is that I want to see what SORT of jewelry is being turned out - or how will I know whether it is worth my while. Or my money. This is where a real bookstore comes in I guess. Or a library. Browsing is necessary to buying some sorts of books.

I've been setting stones and soldering findings to chains and making bezel settings for a couple of years and want to branch out so I was specifically looking for an introduction to jeweler's techniques such as mokume gane, reticulation, etching, forging, advanced soldering, gem setting (such as bead settings, pave etc...), polishing, fusing, granulation, ingraving, etc... This book looked perfect. It has sections for all that stuff and more. The production values of the book and the quality of illustration photographs are excellent. Sections are organized alphabetically with a an inspirations sections at the back with lots of lovely pics of nicely finished pieces that were made with concepts in the book.

The problem is with the actual content. Each section is just a couple or a few pages long. Concepts are introduced, given just a paragraph or two - and then that's it. Step by step photo illustrated instructions are not referenced in the text per se and almost always lack a picture of the finished piece or effect, leaving you sometimes scratching your head as to what you are supposed to end up with. For example, the section on Mokume Gane gives great step by step instructions and illustrations about how to sandwich, solder, cut and layer - and then dent up to file off and show the layers. But there's no picture of the front of the mokume gane after the filing so you can see what all that work achieved. There's a single picture of a pave setting, but no instructions on how to get there or what a beading tool looks like or how it is used. For gem setting there's a great step by step of making and setting a bezel, but for facet stones there's only a brief step by step on making a basket. There's no specific instruction on how to notch prongs or how to bend them to set - just the phrase "bend prongs over the stone to set". This isn't sufficient to actually help you do it. The section on sawing shows you what a saw looks like and how to saw a right angle, but lacks a table instructing you which saw blade works with which thickness of metal. Every area of this book suffers from too much brevity and a lack of useful details.

I'm not going to say that this book was worthless. The section on bending and the section on catches are great. I learned a few great tips too - like the use of a spitstick to clean up the top of a bezel setting. I benefited from seeing the step by step illustrations of many techniques I didn't know. But I did not get enough information to actually execute any of these unknown techniques. I'd say that this book is a good visual orientation on what these techniques are, what tools are used, and what it looks like doing these techniques. It's too brief, however, to give you enough instruction to really execute the illustrated techniques. This book just isn't enough - it's an illustrated introduction that requires additional more in depth texts to actually help you get that stuff done.

Follow-up (May 2008): Am I just hard to please? Perhaps, but I have subsequently found a similar book of introduction that I do feel gives enough detail to actually do the projects: James Codina's "The Complete Art of Jewelry Making". Although I'll grant the aesthetics of the examples in McGrath are better, as a guide to technique I consider Codina to be superior.

I've been setting stones and soldering findings to chains and making bezel settings for a couple of years and want to branch out so I was specifically looking for an introduction to jeweler's techniques such as mokume gane, reticulation, etching, forging, advanced soldering, gem setting (such as bead settings, pave etc...), polishing, fusing, granulation, ingraving, etc... This book looked perfect. It has sections for all that stuff and more. The production values of the book and the quality of illustration photographs are excellent. Sections are organized alphabetically with a an inspirations sections at the back with lots of lovely pics of nicely finished pieces that were made with concepts in the book.

The problem is with the actual content. Each section is just a couple or a few pages long. Concepts are introduced, given just a paragraph or two - and then that's it. Step by step instructions are not referenced in the text per se and almost always lack a picture of the finished piece or affect, leaving you sometimes scratching your head as to what you are supposed to end up with. For example, the section on Mokume Gane gives great step by step instructions and illustrations about how to sandwich, solder, cut and layer - and then dent up to file off and show the layers. But there's no picture of the front of the mokume gane after the filing so you can see what all that work achieved. There's a single picture of a pave setting, but no instructions on how to get there or what a beading tool looks like or how it is used. For gem setting there's a great step by step of making and setting a bezel, but for facet stones there's only a brief step by step on making a basket. There's no specific instruction on how to notch prongs or how to bend them to set - just the phrase "bend prongs over the stone to set". This isn't sufficient to actually help you do it. The section on sawing shows you what a saw looks like and how to saw a right angle, but lacks a table instructing you which saw blade works with which thickness of metal. Every area of this book suffers from too much brevity and a lack of useful details.

I'm not going to say that this book was worthless. The section on bending and the section on catches are great. I learned a few great tips too - like the use of a spitstick to clean up the top of a bezel setting. I benefited from seeing the step by step illustrations of many techniques I didn't know. But I did not get enough information to actually execute any of these unknown techniques. I'd say that this book is a good visual orientation on what these techniques are, what tools are used, and what it looks like doing these techniques. It's too brief, however, to give you enough instruction to really execute the illustrated techniques. This book just isn't enough - it's an illustrated introduction that requires additional more in depth texts to actually help you get that stuff done.

I've been setting stones and soldering findings to chains and making bezel settings for a couple of years and want to branch out so I was specifically looking for an introduction to jeweler's techniques such as mokume gane, reticulation, etching, forging, advanced soldering, gem setting (such as bead settings, pave etc...), polishing, fusing, granulation, ingraving, etc... This book looked perfect. It has sections for all that stuff and more. The production values of the book and the quality of illustration photographs are excellent. Sections are organized alphabetically with a an inspirations sections at the back with lots of lovely pics of nicely finished pieces that were made with concepts in the book.

The problem is with the actual content. Each section is just a couple or a few pages long. Concepts are introduced, given just a paragraph or two - and then that's it. Step by step instructions are not referenced in the text per se and almost always lack a picture of the finished piece or affect, leaving you sometimes scratching your head as to what you are supposed to end up with. For example, the section on Mokume Gane gives great step by step instructions and illustrations about how to sandwich, solder, cut and layer - and then dent up to file off and show the layers. But there's no picture of the front of the mokume gane after the filing so you can see what all that work achieved. There's no picture of the mokume gane effect anywhere in the book actually. There's a single picture of a pave setting, but no instructions on how to get there or what a beading tool looks like or how it is used. For gem setting there's a great step by step of making and setting a bezel, but for facet stones there's only a brief step by step on making a basket. There's no specific instruction on how to notch prongs or how to bend them to set - just the phrase "bend prongs over the stone to set". This isn't sufficient to actually help you do it. The section on sawing shows you what a saw looks like and how to saw a right angle, but lacks a table instructing you which saw blade works with which thickness of metal. Every area of this book suffers from too much brevity and a lack of useful details.

I'm not going to say that this book was worthless. I learned a few great tips - like the use of a spitstick to clean up the top of a bezel setting. I benefited from seeing the step by step illustrations of many techniques I didn't know. But I did not get enough information to actually execute any of these unknown techniques. I'd say that this book is a good visual orientation on what these techniques are, what tools are used, and what it looks like doing these techniques. It's too brief, however, to give you enough instruction to really execute the illustrated techniques. This book just isn't enough - it's an illustrated introduction that requires additional more in depth texts to actually help you get that stuff done.

If you just want to buy pieces and put them together- this is not the book for you. If you honestly want to learn jewelers skills then you will be pleased with this book. I have really enjoyed this book and it has led to many new ideas. This one will stay in my library.

If you just want to buy pieces and put them together- this is not the book for you. If you honestly want to learn jewelers skills then you will be pleased with this book. I have really enjoyed this book and it has led to many new ideas. This one will stay in my library.

I purchased this book in the hopes that it would help me expand my technique with jewelry making and design. Almost all of the techniques covered in the books would take thousands and thousands of dollars in equipment and supplies to actually impliment. It's only really useful for professional jewelers working for big companies with big bucks. It is however interesting and pretty. If you are curious about various techniques such as enameling, reticulation, oxidization and mokume gane, than this is a good book. Even though I am a jeweler and an artist, this will just be a "coffee table book" for me.

This is a perfect book that combines text and plenty of images to demonstrate both bare bones beginning jewelry making technique as well as more advanced technique (including making some of your own tools!).
I bought a copy of this after taking it out of our local library and I am very pleased with it...Very thorough. Very easy to understand. For those who are really just starting out it's almost like the "idiot's guide" to the Complete Metalsmith...Not that this is dumbed down but there is alot of terminology in Metalsmith that requires one to know the foreign language first...This book assumes almost no knowledge from the reader, but doesn't babytalk or oversimplify either.

This is a perfect book that combines text and plenty of images to demonstrate both bare bones beginning jewelry making technique as well as more advanced technique (including making some of your own tools!).
I bought a copy of this after taking it out of our local library and I am very pleased with it...Very thorough. Very easy to understand. For those who are really just starting out it's almost like the "idiot's guide" to the Complete Metalsmith...Not that this is dumbed down but there is alot of terminology in Metalsmith that requires one to know the foreign language first...This book assumes almost no knowledge from the reader, but doesn't babytalk or oversimplify either.

Kept me busy for a couple of hours. Describes the principles of jewelry making without the in-depth technique descriptions I am looking for.

This is like a textbook. Everything you want to
know about jewelry and how it is made. Whether
you want to make it yourself or just learn about
the techniques this is a great book. No need
for others...

This is like a textbook. Everything you want to
know about jewelry and how it is made. Whether
you want to make it yourself or just learn about
the techniques this is a great book. No need
for others...

When a book title says it is an Encylopedia of Jewelry Making Techniques and lives up to that broad description, it is a must have if you are a budding Jewelry Maker/Designer. Lets be honest here you are either a Jewelry designer, making peices that use traditional metal work applications, which this book showcases brilliantly, learn about Mokume Gane, Enamelling, Reticulation and Casting, or you like making jewellery by putting beads together.This is not a book about how to string together your beads and use commercially bought components, buy Maya Brenner - Beaded Jewellery for that. Good instructions and photos.

Every technique I know of and lots I didn't are in this book. It is great for a newbie's library and a great addition to the experience jewelry maker and best for anyone teaching jewelry making with PMC as well as other materials.

This book was not what I thought it would be. I wanted a book that showed how to make jewelry, and actually this was a book that showed how to make jewelry components. I was looking for design and "how to" techniques on putting together jump rings, and store bought components and and this was more like how to make a jump ring etc . . I didn't like it. If you want to make jewelry components this is the book for you. If you want to make jewelry from store bought components and beads, I suggust you find a different book.

As someone who makes a lot of wire/clay jewelry but doesn't work with metal, torches etc...this book will probably just collect dust. Everything in here required special tools I'm not interested in buying. Maybe if you have some knowledge of working with metals you could find this very useful but for me it was a waste of money. I used just one tip in book and the pictures did not inspire me to learn more.

This is probably the best guide to what you need to start and be successful in Jewelry.

Book is full of everything you want to know about jewelry making. This book is about making "real" jewelry not stringing beads. You learn about how fine pieces are made. Good book to see if you are really interested in this craft. Great reference book.

I am just beginning in beaded jewelry and purchased this thinking it would help me. It is a wonderful book and great instructions however, it is not for the beader. This book is very comprehensive on many techniquies such as casting, stamping, inlaying, etc. While it was not for me, if you are interested in other types of jewelry making, this book is for you.

This book is a very useful guide for those who wish to set up at home or in a small retail business since it provides the reader with enough information to confidently tackle all but the most difficult jobs.This book can also help the adventuresome to expand their scope by providing a lot of technical info which allows one to expand one's range of thinking.

With easy understand and step-by-step instruction, this is a great book for a beginner in jewelry design. In this book, it shows most of useful tools and methods in jewelry making with clear images.

Prior to my wife's intention to return to college as a mature student, I purchased several books for her on 'Silversmithing', and it is Jinks McGrath's book that she values most highly. In fact her lecturer reccomended it to all the students on the Jewllery Making & Design course. It is an invaluable guide to the beginner with its easy to follow instructions and information. It is well laid out with precise information and an easy reference source to fall back on. You won't be disappointed.

I found this book to be too much of a beginner's guide and superficial in describing the techniques, but it is probably good information for most amateurs.

This book is well written and it's a very picturesque encyclopedia. Not too technical but still very informative with the author's step by step format. Those of you who are pursuing Jewlery as a hobby or a career will want to add this book to your library.

The author includes a wide variety of jewelry making techniques primarily dealing with metalsmithing. Full color pictures wonderfully illustrate each section. Simple wire projects, such as making jump rings to more advanced techniques such as inlaying are shown and described with enough detail to understand, but not overwhelm the reader. I'd recommend this book for the beginner who wants to learn about jewelry making, or for those who just want to learn more about jewelry making. Also included is a Themes section of artistic jewelry that will inspire you.

This is an excellent book for any level of jewelry artist. It is a beautifully designed book with wonderful full color photographs and easy to follow , well written text. A must have book for the jewelry designer at any level of expertise as well as basic.