This book is unparalleled in its information about precious metals. I would almost trade all my other metal books for this one alone. Well worth the cost and indispensable to a Goldsmith. If you want to work in metal, from iron to platinum, you need this book. Very technical but the information is invaluable and can be applied to any metal medium. My copy has some duplicate pages in the 50-60 range, but nothing was left out. That is my only complaint and I am sure it was just a binding error that may be in only my book as none of the others I have seen do.

The depth and amount of information in this book is staggering. The translation is great it doesn't seem stilted as a lot of translations do. It was edited by Tim Mcreigth of "the complete metalsmith" fame and was translated and published by his company. It gives way more information on the reason of why and how techniques work than any other book I have seen. In some ways it is the prefect companion to "the complete metal smith" it has a lot of the same information as it and a lot more depth. My only caveat is it can be a little dry and some times overly technical. but still it is a great work.

The Brepohl's book surely is the best book about the theory of the jewelry's affair's that I know, but isn't a project book. Is a textbook well written, with a very good english translation (the original is in german).The theory of metalurgy, that is lacking in the others books on the field, is update and well presented.In the end of some chapters there are few examples of student work, but their level is very high, and isn't showed all details of how to get it. If you want to know why and not only how, you must have this book.