Masters: Gemstones: Major Works by Leading Jewelers (Masters)

Masters: Gemstones: Major Works by Leading Jewelers (Masters)
by Lark

Masters: Gemstones: Major Works by Leading Jewelers (Masters)
List Price: $24.95
Our Price: $14.41
You Save: $10.54 (42%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $12.99 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


(Click here)
Buy this book at online book store in your country
Canada | UK | Germany | France

Book Summary Information

Author: Lark
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2008-01-01
ISBN: 1579908322
Number of pages: 324
Publisher: Lark Books

Book Reviews of Masters: Gemstones: Major Works by Leading Jewelers (Masters)

Book Review: Modern Masters; Tomorrow's Heirlooms
Summary: 5 Stars

Looking for beautifully made, artfully designed jewelry made with high quality materials? Historically, a few big name retailers have provided leadership, but over the past couple of decades, the 5th Avenue jewelers that used to be the go-to stores have grown tired and complacent, their goods have evolved from innovative and exciting to safe and boring and the low and mid-range jewelers have followed their lead. The giants who built those legendary retail establishments are long gone and most of the famous names have been sold off to conglomerates who grow fat off their fading reputations. In short, they are no longer a solution, they have have become part of the problem.

The good news is that there are a small number of American designer-goldsmiths and jewelers working today that are producing tomorrow's heirlooms. They are the Rene Laliques, the Pierre Cartiers of the late 20th, early 21st Century. Unfortunately few are well enough capitalized to stand against the hot wind of hyper-babble that hammers the consumer with the dubious virtues of such artistic nonentities as Paloma Picasso, JAR and David Yurman.

A new book, published by Lark Books and entitled: Masters-Gemstones, Major Works by leading jewelers curated by Alan Revere will provide you with an acetylene torch to to cut your way through the junkyard.

Unfortunately, the book presents its own design problems. The title is unfortunate and the cover is a mess.--so poorly designed that it becomes impossible to tell what the title is, what the book is about and who wrote it. Well Alan Revere is listed as "curator" which means he wrote it, I guess, Lark prefers publishing books without authors, that way they retain the copyright and most of the profits.

Revere has made an excellent selection. He picked 39 contemporary jewelers and each one is a master. The common denominator, they all work with gemstones---a practice considered very un-chic in university jewelry arts programs where most of our creative artists are trained (another component of the problem, but I digress). What I found most exciting was that after thirty years of looking around there were a good number of artist-jewelers that I had never heard of.

I know and carry the work of several; Bernd and Tom Munsteiner, Michael Zobel, Michael Sugarman, Zoltan David and Stephen Webster but artists like Klaus Spies, Gregore Morin and Bayot Heer were completely new to me. What is really surprising, with perhaps two exceptions I like them all.

Revere's commentary is adequate but oh the pictures! Really its all about the pictures. Masters: Gemstones is a breath of fresh air blowing through the mundane world of American retail jewelry. The book provides a visual stroll through some of the best of the best jewelry being made today. Revere has performed his curator role to perfection. Some of the artists use traditional materials, some add the non-traditional, but all put their pieces together with sensitivity and panache. Secrets of the Gem Trade: The Connoisseur's Guide to Precious Gemstones

Summary of Masters: Gemstones: Major Works by Leading Jewelers (Masters)

What awesome craftsmanship appears throughout this unique volume-the zenith of an art that marries the world's most exceptional gems with exquisitely-honed metal designs. Approximately forty of the world's top jewelers present expertly-fashioned settings that embrace a diversity of styles and techniques, including pav?, channel, invisible, gypsy, wire, and tension. Christoph Kr?henmann's creations display a fabulous fusion of Swiss artisanship and American ingenuity, old world elegance and contemporary chic. Paula Crevoshay's jewelry focuses on the way gems make light tangible; she is considered by many to be one of the finest colorists today. And Kent Raible finds his inspiration in the opulent, intricate gold work of antiquity. Whether encrusted with diamonds or emphasizing just one glimmering stone, all these bejeweled pieces are simply stunning.

General Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in General Books
The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United State Coins 2009 (Guide Book of United States Coins) (Guide Book of United States Coins) (Guide Book of United States Coins) ImageThe Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United State Coins 2009 (Guide Book of United States Coins) (Guide Book of United States Coins) (Guide Book of United States Coins)
by R. S. Yeoman
Whitman Publishing; Published: 2008-03-17; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $10.85
Price in other shops: $16.95
500 Tiles: An Inspiring Collection of International Work (500 Series) Image500 Tiles: An Inspiring Collection of International Work (500 Series)
by Lark Books
Lark Books; Published: 2008-01-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.44
Price in other shops: $24.95
500 Pendants & Lockets: Contemporary Interpretations of Classic Adornments (500 Series) Image500 Pendants & Lockets: Contemporary Interpretations of Classic Adornments (500 Series)
by Lark Books
Lark Books; Published: 2008-05-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.02
Price in other shops: $24.95
Handbook of United States Coins 2009: The Official Blue Book (Handbook of United States Coins (Paper)) (Handbook of United States Coins (Paper)) (Handbook of United States Coins (Paper)) ImageHandbook of United States Coins 2009: The Official Blue Book (Handbook of United States Coins (Paper)) (Handbook of United States Coins (Paper)) (Handbook of United States Coins (Paper))
by R. S. Yeoman
Whitman Pub Llc; Published: 2008-06-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.62
Price in other shops: $9.95
The Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #38 (Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide) ImageThe Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #38 (Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide)
by Robert M Overstreet
House of Collectibles; Published: 2008-04-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $18.34
Price in other shops: $29.95
Wacky Packages ImageWacky Packages
by The Topps Company
Abrams; Published: 2008-06-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $10.70
Price in other shops: $19.95
State Series Quarters Collector Map (State Series) ImageState Series Quarters Collector Map (State Series)
Whitman Coins; Whitman Pub Llc; Published: 2006-09-30; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $7.99
Sock and Glove: Creating Charming Softy Friends from Cast-Off Socks and Gloves ImageSock and Glove: Creating Charming Softy Friends from Cast-Off Socks and Gloves
by Miyako Kanamori
HP Trade; Published: 2007-05-16; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.35
Price in other shops: $12.95
Blue Book of Gun Values: 29th Edition (Blue Book of Gun Values) ImageBlue Book of Gun Values: 29th Edition (Blue Book of Gun Values)
by S. P. Fjestad
Blue Book Publications; Published: 2008-04-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $26.35
Price in other shops: $39.95
The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coins 2009 (Guide Book of United States Coins (Spiral)) (Guide Book of United States Coins (Spiral)) (Guide Book of United States Coins (Spiral)) ImageThe Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coins 2009 (Guide Book of United States Coins (Spiral)) (Guide Book of United States Coins (Spiral)) (Guide Book of United States Coins (Spiral))
by R. S. Yeoman
Whitman Publishing; Published: 2008-03-17; Spiral-bound; Book
Best price: $9.00
Price in other shops: $14.95
Similar Books and other products
Brooches: Timeless Adornment ImageBrooches: Timeless Adornment
by Lori Ettlinger Gross
Rizzoli; Published: 2008-05-06; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $27.55
Price in other shops: $45.00
500 Necklaces: Contemporary Interpretations of a Timeless Form (500 Series) Image500 Necklaces: Contemporary Interpretations of a Timeless Form (500 Series)
by Lark Books
Lark Books; Published: 2006-10-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $13.89
Price in other shops: $24.95
The Complete Jewelry Making Course: Principles, Practice and Techniques: A Beginner's Course for Aspiring Jewelry Makers ImageThe Complete Jewelry Making Course: Principles, Practice and Techniques: A Beginner's Course for Aspiring Jewelry Makers
by Jinks McGrath
Barron's Educational Series; Published: 2007-10-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.49
Price in other shops: $21.99
Rings: Jewelry of Power, Love, and Loyalty ImageRings: Jewelry of Power, Love, and Loyalty
by Diana Scarisbrick
Thames & Hudson; Published: 2007-10-29; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $30.00
Price in other shops: $50.00
Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet: Making Designer Metal Jewelry (Lark Jewelry Book) ImageWrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet: Making Designer Metal Jewelry (Lark Jewelry Book)
by Mary Hettmansperger
Lark Books; Published: 2008-06-03; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $15.86
Price in other shops: $24.95
Calder Jewelry ImageCalder Jewelry
Yale University Press; Published: 2007-12; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $41.81
Price in other shops: $65.00
500 Earrings: New Directions in Contemporary Jewelry (500 Series) Image500 Earrings: New Directions in Contemporary Jewelry (500 Series)
by Lark
Lark Books; Published: 2007-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $14.44
Price in other shops: $24.95
500 Pendants & Lockets: Contemporary Interpretations of Classic Adornments (500 Series) Image500 Pendants & Lockets: Contemporary Interpretations of Classic Adornments (500 Series)
by Lark Books
Lark Books; Published: 2008-05-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $14.49
Price in other shops: $24.95
Brilliance!: Masterpieces from The American Jewelry Design Council ImageBrilliance!: Masterpieces from The American Jewelry Design Council
by Cindy Edelstein, Frank Stankus
Lark Books; Published: 2008-07-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.67
Price in other shops: $19.95
500 Wedding Rings: Celebrating a Classic Symbol of Commitment (500 Series) Image500 Wedding Rings: Celebrating a Classic Symbol of Commitment (500 Series)
by Lark Books
Lark Books; Published: 2008-01-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.01
Price in other shops: $24.95
Book store. Illustrated catalog of books on different categories