Richard "Dick" Friesen has been carving and teaching for almost twenty years throughout the western United States. At the request of many of his students, he has finally taken the time to write a book on Beginning Gemstone Carving. This book is written with the beginning carver in mind, and covers both the skill set needed and the equipment necessary to take a piece from rough to finished stone, ready for setting. Dick is a Master Carver, and has designed carving equipment, tools, and DVDs which are currently sold through his business, Dick Friesen Custom Jewelry, and also by Diamond Pacific, Inc. Dick lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, and travels extensively to shows and teaching venues… throughout the United States. Additionally, he provides private instruction in his studio which is located in Livermore, CA. You can reach him through his website, www.dick.friesen.com, for additional information regarding this book, the contents therein, the equipment and additional instruction.