The working of rough materials into useful tools, weapons, and ornaments dates back to time immemorial. It is known that man lived in the stone age for thousands of years, when the only useful tools and weapons available were those which could be fashioned from the minerals and rocks provided by Nature. At least one hundred thousand years ago primitive man first learned the art of working an edge or point on some hard mineral, to be used as a tool or weapon. Later came the development of the lapidary art for the production of ornaments, and, ever since, precious stones have been an important part of human culture. Contained within this fascinating book is an interesting and informative treatise on gem-cutting, detailing its history, development, and modern application. A perfect book for anyone interested in the subject, this book will also make a great addition to any collection of gemmological literature. The sections of this book are: Cabochon Cutting, Facet Cutting, and Gemmology, each containing detailed subchapters within. We are proud to republish this scarce antiquarian book complete with a new introduction to the subject.