{"product_id":"the-hand-tool-lapidary-handbook-morgan-reid-9798182494007","title":"The Hand-Tool Lapidary Handbook: A Practical Guide to Shaping, Polishing \u0026 Finishing Gemstones by Hand","description":"Make a glossy, finished cabochon at your kitchen table. No machines, no garage, no thousand-dollar setup.\u003cp\u003eMost lapidary books assume you already own a grinder, a saw, and a bench full of power equipment. This one does not. \u003cb\u003eThe Hand-Tool Lapidary Handbook\u003c\/b\u003e shows you how to turn a rough stone into a smooth, mirror-polished cabochon using only files, wet-or-dry sandpaper, a spray bottle, and patience. The whole starter kit costs about as much as a dinner out.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWritten for the complete beginner, it walks you through one clear method, from your very first stone to a finished gem you can set in jewelry: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eChoose forgiving stones\u003c\/b\u003e that shape predictably and polish bright, and spot the ones that will only waste your time and money.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBuild a safe, dust-free wet workspace\u003c\/b\u003e in the corner of any room, with the silica-safety habits that protect your lungs built into every step.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eShape, bevel, and dome a clean cabochon by hand\u003c\/b\u003e, then climb one simple grit ladder to a true high gloss.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCarve simple lines and textures\u003c\/b\u003e, finish with the right polish for each stone, and fix cracks, haze, flats, and chips before they cost you the piece.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFind good rough on the cheap\u003c\/b\u003e at clubs, estate sales, and online, and know exactly what to pay.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThree guided projects, a full troubleshooting chapter, and clear figures take the guesswork out of every stage. Whether you have a jar of beach pebbles or a box of agate from a rock show, you can start tonight.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eIncludes a free downloadable Cabochon Starter Checklist: the beginner stones, the grit ladder, the budget kit, and the safety reminders on one page you can keep on your bench.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Morgan Reid\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798182494007\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/20\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 88\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.28lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.18d","brand":"Morgan Reid","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48853023555839,"sku":"9798182494007","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-hand-tool-lapidary-handbook-morgan-reid-9798182494007","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}