No comments about Collecting Rhinestone & Colored Stone Jewelry: An Identification & Value Guide (Collecting Rhinestone & Colored Jewelry).

1 comments about Christmas Tree Pins: O Christmas Tree (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This is an outstanding book on Christmas Tree Pins. It is a comprehensive book covering many of the lesser known as well as those major manufacturers and designers we all recognize.
   The photos and "paper stock" are excellent--a quality publication. I bought this book along with "Christmas Pins, Past & Present and enjoy them both, but if you can only have one, this is it.

No comments about Identifying Avon Jewelry.

No comments about The Classic Watch: The Great Watches and Their Makers from the First Wrist Watch to the Present Day.

1 comments about Miller's: Jewellery: Antiques Checklist (Miller's Antiques Checklist).

1. It covers antique collectible jewellery from 18th century to modern, gives plenty of details on styles, materials used, hallmarking and things to look for when buying. For each category (i.e. Art Noveau brooches) it gives one representative item in picture and description + estimation of value, and several similar ones (different craftmanship or designer than the main example) but without the value (which bugged me a little). If it also offered a comprehensive table with all/most info arranged in one place, for quick reference, it would be perfect.

No comments about Discoveries: Diamonds and Precious Stones (Discoveries (Abrams)).

No comments about Art Deco Bakelite Jewelry & Boxes: Cubism for Everyone (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

4 comments about Diamonds: A Century of Spectacular Jewels.

1. Penny Proddow and Marion Fasel have done it again! "Diamonds" is a spectacular overview of some of the most famous, infamous, and downright jaw-dropping diamond jewelry ever made. Those who are interested in a gemological history may be disappointed, as Proddow and Fasel concentrate solely on mostly modern diamonds set into jewelry--but those who salivate over the treasures of luminaries from Queen Elizabeth to Elizabeth Taylor will be delighted with this book.

   Proddow and Fasel have done their homework and provide the reader with a lengthy history of the diamond and its stature in the jewelry world. From the beginning, it was considered rare, unusual and much to be treasured--and its status as such ensured that it would be used in only the most elegant, important, and imaginative jewelry. We learn of the origins of the famed Tiffany setting for diamonds. This was a prong structure which supplanted the formerly popular bezel setting by exposing the pavilion (bottom) of the stone itself, thereby allowing more interplay of light and sparkle. This seemingly simple approach ended up establishing Tiffany as one of the world's premier jewelers. We learn about the freedom jewelers felt during the Art Deco and Art Nouveau periods--the freedom to approach jewelry as art and not just dull commissioned pieces from nobility. We learn about the way Jackie Kennedy wore several diamond pins in her hair during a 1960s trip to Paris to SUGGEST the appearance of a tiara--without the royal associations of an actual tiara.

   Proddow and Fasel have done their homework in providing splendid photographs of both well-known and rarely-seen diamond pieces. The book is particularly strong in showcasing nature-oriented jeweled pieces. Particular stand-outs include:

   - An astonishingly beautiful butterfly brooch from the 1890s, in which the butterfly's body is made of a diamond and a ruby and the winds are enormous carved and etched diamonds (p. 20), not to mention a diamond and platinum butterfly brooch in which actual butterfly wings are encased in rock crystal (p. 32);

   - An actual lion's paw seashell in which diamond tentacles climb the shell's grooves and set off the gleaming coral color (p. 87);

   - An enormous Cartier snake necklace commissioned by Mexican actress Maria Felix in 1968 and featuring over 2,400 diamonds on one side. The other side was done completely in colored enamels, making the necklace reversible (p. 112);

   - A tortoise compact made from a real tortoise shell and pavé diamond head, feet, and tail (p. 130).

   This book is an invaluable and instructive guide for anyone who loves diamond jewelry and appreciates the imaginative flights of fancy it inspires in its creators. Highly recommended!




2. The book is nice for people who would like to know a bit more on diamonds in general. If, however, you would like to have in-depth details of this fabulous gem, then there are much better quality books, like "Diamonds", second edition by Eric Bruton, or the GIA provides some nice books; Lord Ian Balfour has written an outstanding work on "Famous Diamonds". All in all, "Diamonds: a Century of Spectacular Jewels" is a nice coffeetable book, but then, if its just the pictures you like, why not buy a copy of "Magnificent Jewels" by Christie's, these sales are held twice a year, both in New York as well as in Geneva (Switzerland); and the photos (not to mention the prices - before AND after the sales!!) will take your breath away!



3. The highlight of this book, strangely enough, is the text. It explains how jewelry styles changed throughout the century in an interesting way. Unfortunately, the photographs weren't as good; they didn't accentuate the jewels very well and were sometimes slightly out of focus and grainy. In the chapter on pink diamonds, many of the photographs make the diamonds look gray. Throughout the book, diamonds described as canary yellow look like white diamonds. In general, the beauty of the gems were not captured.



4. An intelligent text and very handsome photographs. Trouble is, far too many of those photographs are in black and white whereas for the asking price, this book should be a feast of color. For the passionate diamond-lover, it's still a treat, but be ready for mounting frustration as you turn pages and increasingly wonder what these gorgeous things REALLY looked like.

1 comments about Jewelry of the Stars: Creations from Joseff of Hollywood.

1. So little is written about this remarkable designer that it is great to have so much information in one source about Eugene Joseff. The photographs recording his designs are invaluable to costume jewelry aficionados and collectors. Joseff's contribution to film-making is unique and , until now, practically unsung. Movie stills, photos from the Joseff archives and photos produced for this volume provide a valuable record of his prodigious and truly remarkable output.

   Why the publisher doesn't assign an editor to clean up much of the amatuerish, gawky prose is beyond this reader's comprehension. While one does not expect erudition in a "collector book", one should not have to endure irrelevant and uninformative captions, homespun drawings and corny typefaces. Many of the photos are poorly planned, using strange props and odd angles which interfere with seeing the jewelry. The poor editing and the poor layout prevent me from giving a higher rating. But if you are a costume jewelry collector, especially of Joseff, you have to have this book.

4 comments about Ancient Egyptian Jewelry.

1. I would encourage anyone to seek out a copy of this book, it is well worth a few extra dollars considering it's out of print. The photos are exceptionally rich in color and detail, all fully labeled with dates and names. As someone looking to recreate jewelry in the style of ancient Egypt, this book has been my top resource on so many levels. It lists the multitude of stones and minerals used by ancient Egyptian craftsmen, along with the tools and techniques they practiced. The contents and sections are very well organized and easy to follow, and it includes a complete index for quick reference. This book is a treasure all its own!



2. I happened upon this book while visiting the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, and it is well worth every penny. Copious full color photographs illustrate the many types of jewelry worn by the Ancient Egyptians, both in life and as funerary pieces. Manufacturing techniques are also discussed somewhat, and the Egyptian names for items are also provided. This superb reference is not only a great replacement for the out-of-print "Jewels of the Pharaohs" by Cyril Aldred, it surpasses this earlier work by providing much more detail and information.



3. I have met the author personally when taking a class through a Stanford Univ. graduate program and was impressed with her background and extensive knowledge of Egyptology and jewelery. As a gemologist and lifelong student of Egyptology, I could recommend this book on its contents alone, but the author, herself, is extraordinary.



4. This is a beautiful book. The pictures and stories of the jewelry are fascinating. It is a great resource for the craftsperson interested in Egyptian styles or for anyone interested in Ancient Egypt or creative jewelry design.