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The Phenomenon of Studio Goldsmithing When the history of art in the 1980s is written, much of it will be etched in gold. This is the time of the contemporary goldsmith, an artist who chooses to work in precious metals rather than oils or marble. The contemporary jeweler-as-artist has only recently become a re- cognized force. With rare exceptions, the whole field is little more than thirty years old. But it is only within the past fifteen years that these jewelers have entered the jewelry mains...

An entertaining and well-researched history of the Hope diamond Since its discovery in seventeenth-century India, the Hope diamond, a glimmering deep blue gem weighing over 45 carats, has been shrouded in mystery and steeped in intrigue. In this groundbreaking work, Dr. Richard Kurin goes beyond the speculation to reveal the truth behind a legendary stone. Kurin, a cultural anthropologist, spent more than a decade on the trail of the legendary gem. But the 'curse' that surrounds it, whi...

Used for centuries as a decorative artefact, amber was also treasured for its perceived magical powers, crafted into charms and amulets to heal and ward off evils spirits. Amber also has the unique capacity to preserve fragile life that is millions of years old, opening a special window into the past. At the National Museum of Scotland 10 May-8 September highlights of its amber collection plus loans from the V&A will be brought together for the first time. With over a hundred illustrations, this...

Decade by decade, the lavishly illustrated Vintage Jewellery recounts 120 years of history, from Lalique's Art Nouveau enamelling at the turn of the twentieth century to Cartier's gemstones and Christian Dior's mid-century costume pieces to Harry Winston's diamonds. Accompanied by archive images, fashion photography and specially commissioned photographs of period pieces, the most collectible and beautiful bracelets, necklaces, rings and brooches are showcased. An invaluable reference as well as...

A History of Contemporary Jewellery in Australia and New Zealand: Place and Adornment tells the remarkable story of how two countries, far from the jewellery centres of Europe and NorthAmerica, have managed to contribute to an international art form, transforming jewellery from an imitation of European taste into an original expression of place. In this richly illustrated book, the first comprehensive history of contemporary jewellery in Australasia, authors Damian Skinner and Kevin Murray bring...

Munnu: Vision & Passion traces the creativity and vivacity of the late Munnu Kasliwal. Kasliwal’s magical designs put The Gem Palace, his family’s jewellery house, and India on the fashion map of the jewellery world. The book follows the design journey of Munnu Kasliwal of The Gem Palace Jaipur, a jewellery house synonymous with luxury, sophisticated style, striking statement pieces, and exquisite craftsmanship. Munnu: Vision & Passion chronicles the metamorphosis of The Gem Palace from a loc...

Frequently bold in design and swift to reflect changing vogues of fashion, Costume Jewellery has a status and appeal of its own. Its immense variety and versatility have been key elements in attracting collectors and enthusiasts. In the course of six heavily illustrated chapters Costume Jewellery illustrates a wide range of pieces, many from major names such as Lalique, Chanel, Lanvin and Schiaparell. The introduction provides an overview of the history, the manufacture and components. Deanna Fa...

Jewellery has a rare power to communicate, even across millennia, the feelings, beliefs, and aspirations of the people who wore it. Jewellery also contributes to the study of ancient art and metalworking techniques, for great skill was required to create what are often small-scale works of art. But the importance of surviving artifacts of the jeweller's craft - quite apart from the inherent attraction of individual pieces - is now increasing as the number of new scientific techniques available t...

This book is a journey through the sparkling world of the iconic Maison Boucheron, which has championed a sensual, chic, modern, and independent form of femininity for over a century and a half. The Boucheron universe-from its aesthetic vocabulary to its sources of inspiration, its artistic distinctiveness, its workshops, and its creative research-is explored through images from the company's archives, drawings, outstanding jewels, and a photographic portfolio of unique pieces created specially...