From Rough Stones to Wow: Turn Your Rocks & Minerals Into Beautiful Gems

Take rock collecting to the next level: create gemstones that glisten and shine with beginner instructions that yield professional results.

Beautifully cut, polished, and shaped gemstones are marvelous treasures. They can be very expensive to purchase, but have you ever wondered how to create your own? You might be surprised at how quickly you can learn to do it--and how affordable it is, especially when compared with many other popular hobbies. From Rough Stones to Wow is your one-stop shop for beginning your lapidary journey and being successful.

Written by Jim Magnuson, this accessible how-to guide keeps things simple while covering a variety of the most popular lapidary arts. The step-by-step instructions--supplemented by easy-to-follow, full-color photographs--can help you produce high-quality gemstone products that you'll be proud to display, wear, or even sell. Learn about the tools and equipment needed, as well as types of rocks and minerals you might want to utilize. Then, with Jim's focused instruction, you can discover the rewarding experience of taking rough stones and making your own creations. There's even a brief introduction to jewelry making, with six simple jewelry projects.

You'll appreciate these features:

• Easy-to-follow directions complemented by action-oriented photos


• Recommendations on lapidary machines


• Tips, charts, and checklists to jump-start your learning


• Techniques and tools that take you from start to finish

Jim Magnuson has been an avid hunter of various gems, minerals, and fossils since childhood. Because of his in-depth knowledge, he is frequently called upon to present to groups such as rock and mineral clubs, geological societies, and educational institutions that focus on outdoor and environmental interests. He likes to perform various lapidary arts with the stones that he finds, and he has a small business making and selling custom-polished stones and jewelry pieces.