Good to know: a selection of books on jewelry
It's insane that such a rich area of human expression is so unvoiced in terms of knowledge production. They are few, but they are good—
The jewelry world is a teeny-tiny club, as in other high-ticket markets. Despite the complex offerings, does not share much of the knowledge that would inform a purchase decision or what lies behind an impressive piece that would captivate fresh hearts. I’d love for the subject to be better covered beyond a brief in-store interaction and mentions in generalist magazines.
As it's hard and expensive to find good jewelry books, I've selected some of my favorites for different occasions, classified as follows:
With a coffee, to-go: compact book to leave in your bag. Inexpensive printing, soft cover: this type of book comes to life along the way with folds, stains, and handwritten notes. The kind that goes well with commuting or traveling.
With a cup of tea: A book to close the day and slow down the mind. With short texts or letters big enough that you wouldn't need reading glasses and images not so detailed that you would need a magnifying glass. They offer delight to the eyes and easy information to digest.
With a glass of wine: Precious to the touch—might make you want to wear white gloves to browse. It's that sort of book that barely fits on a shelf, a true coffee table book. Each page is a world of precise details in which all information is dense in terms of both textual and visual content. Perfect for gifting others or yourself.
The list is a selection of books that are not linked to specific jewelers or brands—they present a special view of jewelry and history, culture, and technique.
Stoned: Jewelry, Obsession, and How Desire Shapes the World, by Aja Raden
Type: with a coffee, to-go
Aja Raden's writing is super conversational, in the sense that it seems to be a combination of a history book (there is data and good references), a gossip magazine (she interferes with the narrative, spills the tea), and a daily newspaper article (provokes reflection). The part about emeralds made me fall in love with the gem.
Gemstones of the World, by Walter Schumann
Type: with a coffee, to-go, with a hint of with a cup of tea
This book is about gemstones, not jewelry, but still super relevant. It's like a map that gives you an overview of the most relevant gems that you can cross along the way. One of my favorite uses is the indication of the geographic sources of each gem, so I can coordinate my expectations before traveling. This book is for those curious about the richness of nature, but it doesn't have many gem identification tools or anything like that. It's a compact delight.
Art as Jewellery: From Calder to Kapoor, by Louisa Guinness
Type: with a glass of wine
This is one of the nicest ones I own—large size, spacious layout, and impeccable printing. The content does it justice, with a meticulous curation of artists who used jewelry as one of their media of expression. This book is to be used as a source of inspiration for collectors and designers alike, as the colors and textures are so vivid and detailed that it sparks a desire; it will make you eager to touch. Quick note: artist jewelry is an increasingly hot topic in the jewelry world, perhaps it is a good time to delve into it.
The Workbench Guide to Jewelry Techniques, by Anastasia Young
Type: with a cup of tea
If you're at the beginning of the walk as a jewelry maker, hurry up to get your copy. But if you've already mastered what you do, please consider this book to expand your possibilities. I wish this book was the standard-setter for any educational material: objective, complete, and practical.
Rings (Accessories), by Rachel Church
Type: with a coffee, to-go
This book goes deep into the subject of rings, with a delightful array of examples and descriptions. The only detail is that it follows a perspective of the British context since it reviews the Victoria and Albert Museum collection (which can be excellent or a bit boring, depending on the reader).
Jewelry: The Body Transformed, by Melanie Holcomb
Type: with a glass of wine
It is worth sharing exactly how the publisher presents this book: “As an art form, jewelry is defined primarily through its connection to and interaction with the body—extending it, amplifying it, accentuating it, distorting it, concealing it, or transforming it. Addressing six different modes of the body—Adorned, Divine, Regal, Transcendent, Alluring, and Resplendent—this artfully designed catalogue illustrates how these various definitions of the body give meaning to the jewelry that adorns and enhances it.”
Like the previously mentioned Rings, this book is also related to a museum collection (this time the Metropolitan Museum of New York). That's where the special charm lies: it covers body adornments from Latin American native cultures to contemporary French fashion jewelry. As in a visit to The Met, prepare to have hours flying by while navigating through its pages.
Jewels That Made History: 101 Stones, Myths, and Legends, by Stellene Volandes
Type: with a cup of tea
Focusing on specific jewelry, the book builds a timeline of how the subject permeates the history of humanity. With it, you have a source for learning about iconic pieces and the people involved in their existence. As if opening the dictionary to think of a new term, I recommend this book to expand your knowledge of keys to the general history of the subject.
The cover has a beautiful color and I love the embossing, but the layout design is a bit distracting. Still, it's a good book.
Thanks for reading this far!
If you have a question or would like to see recommendations on any other specific topic, please don't hesitate to write me. I'd love to hear what's going through your mind :)
Thank you and talk soon,
Ísis
Earlier in The Foyer: Cords of all sorts