CATEGORIES

Diamonds

What has always surprised me is the emphasis and value we put on diamonds. Though relatively abundant, they are vigorously mined and have been promoted in a tightly controlled market to keep their value high.

Citizen Scientists UNCOVER Thousands of Microfossils

A Portal to Earth's Past Emerges in a Remote Corner of the World

RUBBED RIGHT: Moissanite & Silicon Carbide

When a popular artisan who has worked in lapidary since the 1950s suggests taking a closer look at their \"grit of W choice, it's at least worth checking out.

Labradorite The Northern Lights in a Gemstone

The northern lights, those glowing curtains of cyan, green, gold and magenta that brighten the night skies in the northern latitudes, are among nature's most stunning displays of color.

ROCK THE CAFÉ Oklahoma Sandstone Created this Route 66 Pop Culture Icon

Oklahoma is the birthplace of Route 66, and Cyrus Avery, of Tulsa, is known as the \"Father various of Route 66.\" Avery served on road-associated commissions. And in 1925, he nabbed a seat on the committee of highway officials who were creating a proposed national highway system, as well as a numbering scheme to go with the map.

ANOTHER LOOK AT GLASS BUTTE OBSIDIAN

Many people who make cabochons avoid working with obsidian because it is soft and fractures easily. It is a struggle to get the scratches out in the sanding steps and it can be difficult to polish. It took me a while to find the solutions to these problems.

The Coinage of MARCUS AURELIUS

The first half of the Second Century A.D. marked a period of prosperity within the Roman Empire. Wars had been fought and won by Augustus, and borders were established. These borders of the Empire had been successfully consolidated and secured later after the brilliant reigns of Trajan and Hadrian

COINS As an INVESTMENT

A Complete Guide to Coins to Collect That Should Endure

MEET JOEL ISKOWITZ: MASTER COIN DESIGNER

You might not know his name, but you very likely do know his classic coin designs

UNVEILING A COIN THIEF

HOW NGC AND INVESTIGATORS EXPOSED A MOTHER-SON DUO

Is AI Smarter than a Numismatist?

One of the hottest digital topics today is artificial intelligence (AI) and it hasn’t skipped the numismatic and investing worlds

LIKIN' IKE DOLLARS

The Eisenhower dollar, issued from 1971 through 1978, was a coin of firsts and lasts. It became the first United States dollar coin to be produced in a copper-nickel clad composition and the largest such produced

AMERICA'S Early Gold Coins

MUSEUM-LIKE TREASURES OFTEN SELL FOR RECORD PRICES

EASY WAYS TO INSTALL A FLOATING SHELF

We tried out several hardware options to see how well they work for creating shelves that appear magically suspended on the wall.

BLANKET CHEST

This chest holds more than blankets. It also holds your gaze thanks to a lid with curved ends and a figured panel, plus angled ends and subtle, elegant details.

RECLAIMED LUMBER

Trees aren't the only game in town when it comes to lumber sources. Give old wood a second look for your next project.

DROP-FRONT DESK

Set up a handy workspace anywhere with this wall-mounted desk. The desktop drops down to create a first-class workstation when you need it, and an elegant wall accent when you don't.

MIDSIZE MULTI-BASE ROUTERS

We put nine combo kits through a workout to see which of these middleweights can deliver their promise of a knockout one-two routing punch.

GARDEN PERGOLA

A timeless design that adds instant atmosphere, and shade potential, to any landscape

SHELLAC A CLASSIC FINISH FOR TODAY'S WOODWORKER

Ease of use along with many other advantages make shellac a must-have for any workshop.

Shop Lighting

Upgrade your shop lighting to help you see what you are working on and to make your shop more inviting.

Limbert Style #357 Bookcase

Traditional construction techniques make this mediumsized bookcase a real gem.

Veneered and Dovetailed Box

A box like this one is the perfect way to polish your hand tool skills and play with new techniques.

Mid-Mod Sideboard

All the flavors of walnut shine in this versatile storage and serving piece.

OF CAPTAINS AND KINGS: The Rich History Behind Cape May Diamonds

Trip Advisor has rated America’s oldest seaside resort, Cape May, New Jersey, among the top 25 beaches in the country, and for generations, it has not only charmed visitors with its hospitality and Victorian architecture but drawn beachcombers and rock hunters to the sparkle of the quartz pebbles and beloved keepsakes known as Cape May diamonds.

WHEN A NEW DESIGN MATERIAL FAILS

I love working with milky chalcedony because it is an uncommon lapidary material that has a wonderful internal glow when the project is finished.

Carpinteria STATE BEACH

Visitors Love it Tar and All!

MEXICAN LATTICE AGATE

Mexican lattice agate, a stone that has no color hues, can quickly remind you of a snow-covered pine tree, or the feathers of a swan.

GHOST CRABS OF BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

Rare Fossil Finds Follow Florida Storms

POTOMAC RIVER BEACH Fossils

Finding Fossil Shark Teeth & Turritella at Purse Beach