REVIEW – Masters Gemstones – Lark Books

Let me say – I was a little disappointed when I first paged through this book – note that I said a little…a very little!

The book is wonderful and I think my first reaction was because, for me, the title didn’t reflect what was in the book – Master Gemstones says to me that these folks are Masters in Gemstones. Maybe a more apt title would have been Masters working with Gems in Jewelry! That being said lets move on to what IS in the book!

I love that Alan Revere is listed as the “curator” of this book as that is what he does – stage an exhibit between two covers! Cudos to you Mr. Revere – job well done!

This book is many things a beautiful coffee table book, a great gift idea, but most of all it is an inspiration!

As a student jeweler, just now learning to incorporate gems in my work – this book is spurring me on – offering examples of unique and traditional use of gems in jewelry.

I started my Jewelry education with Lapidary so, the most important to me are the Munsteiner sections – I always wonder how to set their carved gemstones well…their settings are as unique as the stone in them. Whether it is Bernd, Tom or Jutta – they live up to the name while stamping their individual style on their pieces.

Just a few of the highlights for me: Michael Zobel’s Paraiba Cuff Bracelet; Steven Kretchmer’s Jazz Bracelet; Michael Bondanza’s Red & Black Enameled Spider; the “Sugarloaf” Mandarin Garnet in Kathleen Dughi’s Ring; Pat Flynn’s Iron & Diamonds Cuff; the simple clean lines of Daphne Krinos’; Klaus Burgel’s 3D Stones; JJ Buckar’s fanciful pearl treatment; the whimsey of Gregore Morin; Llyn L. Strelau’s structural St. Elegius; and last but hardly least Mark Schneider (I walked by his Promenade store on my way to the Farmer’s Market every Thursday in Long Beach) I can just imagine the silky feel of that Pearl Ring when the Pearl touches flesh instead of metal!

A sure way to break any case of Artist’s Block – give it a try!

From the cover: “We are living through the most productive and creative period of jewelry design in history,” writes curator Alan Revere, a master goldsmith and an award-winning jewelry designer. The extraordinary work of the 39 master artists he has selected to appear in this juried collection certainly proves that point.

Product Description on Amazon: 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 pavé, channel, invisible, gypsy, wire, and tension. Christoph Krähenmann’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.