No comments about Modern Jeweller's Gem Profile 2: Second Sixty/No 92-061786.

No comments about Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Ornamental Metalwork, 700-1100, in the Department of Antiquities, Ashmolean Museum.

2 comments about The Ring: Design: Past and Present.

1. The Ring, what thing could be a more ancient, magical, personal or symbolic object of adornment? Indeed, as other reviewers here have noted, this book is as well crafted, as the subject being researched. This book is elegant, it is a coffee table book which amuses and delights, a visual page turner with a surprise on each new page. People with a flair for the unusual , a passionate ring collector, metal smiths, artisans and professional designers, jewelers, contemporary art galleries, or anyone who loves beautiful things, will really love adding this book to their library.

   Eloquently written, the first half of this book is part history and background lesson for the second half of the book. Brief discussion on the ring from 5th century B.C. Summer, Egypt, Greece, Roman, 13th -20th century, and many more chapters, with each topic increasing in length as it approaches contemporary times. Mass Production, Design Constraints, Manufacturing Techniques, Economics and Regulation, Consequences and Strategies are also all touched upon siting examples with regard to France, where the author lives and I might add, demonstrates superior authority on the subject.

   The second half of this book is devoted to "Modern and Contemporary Rings" from the 1960's to present day. Really, the larger focus is on this half of the book, and what an amazing array of styles and possibilities on how wild, wacky, sculptural, outrageous, and generally experimental ring design has become. One-of-a-kinds, out-of-bounds, over-the-top, extremely unusual, and very creatively charged designs are presented here in a visual feast. Rings as art, indeed. Sketches, variations on a theme, non-traditional materials (Plexiglas, tracing paper, shells wood, woven metal, bread and Jam! Etc,), are all pictured and covered in this half of the book as well.

   Purchase, The Ring, without hesitation, you will be very happy you did.




2. Sylvie Lambert has created a beautiful, elegant and (wonderfully!) lengthy history of a jewelry staple: the ring. She offers a thorough exploration that spans from prehistoric adornment to contemporary designs. This book will certainly appeal to those in the trade as well as anyone looking for an interesting, visually captivating (dare I say coffee table?) book. As a jewelry designer, I find it to be a handy reference, as well as a source for inspiration, some envy, and much awe. I would most definitely recommend it!!

No comments about A Century of Jewelry: Classy, Flashy, And Trashy! (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

2 comments about Braided Wire Jewelry (A Schiffer Book for Craftspeople).

1. Loretta wishes you "good luck" at the outset and you'll certainly need it. The photos are too tiny to distinguish any detail. I recommend that this book go back to the publisher to have the wire shown in its actual size. Pare down the explanations because bigger pictures could show more. In its current state, the book is fairly useless to learn wire wrapping techniques.



2. this book only uses one form of braiding, and spends pages explaining how to do it -- the same braids we all learned as children, for pigtails. Then the patterns are gussied up with beads but there's nothing here the rankest beginner wouldn't invent for onesself -- nothing new. A pity.

1 comments about Overview of Siam Sterling Nielloware.

1. I found this book to be very helpful on the manufacture and history of this style of silver jewelry. The price guide at the back of the book gives the collector a good reference of how much to pay at a flea market or antique shop. Many pictures, a few that are a bit fuzzy. The pictures are all in black and white. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

No comments about International Jewellery Auction.

No comments about The Sheffield Knife Book: A History & Collectors Guide.

No comments about METALWORK AND SILVER (ARTS CRAFTS).

No comments about Jewelry Gem by Gem: Masters and Materials.