Rock Roles:Reviews

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Lynn Croxton on May 14, 2012 at 04:50 PM said:

As a jewelry maker, I've found this to be a priceless guide when deciding what materials to include in special pieces. There are many intriquing tales that impart new meaning to my work and tons of practical information too, all presented in an engaging, conversational tone by someone who obviously loves the subject and knows what she's talking about. Buy it for a rock hound or beader, and they'll love you forever!

Robin Punsalan on December 4, 2011 at 08:05 AM said:

Wonderful read for the novice as well as the professional who works with gemstones for healing. Valueable, informative and fascinating insight on their history and properties. Great job!

Lynn Petrie on November 13, 2011 at 12:50 AM said:

Great book! I learned so much. Suzanne puts more gemstones in the book than most other books. And not only gemstones, but metals, shells, woods, and even plastics! Anything that can be used in jewelry is in this book, and like one review said, it's stuff that you didn't know before. For example, most people know that the birthstone for September is sapphire. But did you know that the Ancient Persians thought that the earth rested on a sapphire, or that sapphires are divided into "male" and "female" stones, or that the most treasured sapphire is a salmon colored stone? Little facts like these are all throughout this book, it is truly one of a kind.

Jen on November 6, 2011 at 02:15 PM said:

“Rock Roles” is interesting in that it is not a typical identification book. Instead of telling you how to identify gemstones, Suzanne Bettonville assumes that you already know the stones, and takes you a step ahead of the other books on the market. Much more than color, streak, specific gravity and other (boring!) facts that you can find anywhere, Suzanne includes information that you honestly didn't know before. The tone is conversational and easy to understand, she speaks to all ages and all levels of geological expertise. The trivia is sometimes fascinating, and the legends and myths about some stones are told in the voice of a truly gifted storyteller. (I hear Suzanne is currently working on a new book of gemstone stories in mythology, which I anticipate eagerly.)

The healing and chakra sections have just enough information to get you started without taking over the rest of the book. Suzanne outlines the basics of gemstone healing, setting you in the right direction and giving you the primary tools. It's a good beginner's guide to crystal healing, without having to invest in a more expensive book. The lists of gemstone healing properties are just as useful as the lists of various birthstones and anniversary stones.

In all, this is a really interesting and worthwhile book to have on hand. It is not as informative of the basics as a lot of other books, but it really gets deep into the most interesting facts and trivia about a lot of stones (many more than I have ever seen in any other book). Currently they are selling at a sale price that is 3 dollars less than the list price, so it's great deal!

Roxanne Bettonville on May 29, 2011 at 09:19 AM said:

This is a fascinating book, chock-full of interesting, little-known information. As a jewelry designer with many customers who ask about the various gemstones I use, I am personally delighted to have this book at my disposal. I especially love the legends and lore of the stones, as well as the healing properties. Great job, Suzanne!