The most-respected text on manufactured American silver has now gone one step further. The authors have updated the text and added photos to now include over 2400 marks illustrated with brief histories and cross references of more than 1600 manufacturers. The result is the most comprehensive reference source on the subject.

Chanel's J12 watch revolutionized the standards of watches for women, combining technical sophistication with the allure of modern design. The J12 has evolved into a classic watchmaking icon of the twenty-first century. Since its arrival just over twenty years ago, the J12 has drawn its inspiration from Chanel's drive to shake up the codes by combining a daring artistic approach with superlative technical finesse. The J12 watch transformed ceramic into a precious material, and rewrote two hundred years of watchmaking with the innovative brilliance of its design. A text by noted watch connoisseur Nicholas Foulkes explores the extraordinary conception, execution and history of the Chanel J12. Enhanced by a strikingly original selection of fine photographs, this volume celebrates twenty years of the most beautiful and technically refined watches ever worn on the wrist. With 108 illustrations in colour

Tiffany & Co.: The Story Behind the Style is a beautifully illustrated, handbag-sized visual history of one of the world's most iconic brands. Open the world's most famous little blue box to discover the story of Tiffany & Co. since its founding in 1837. Packed with photographs and information from the company's 185 years, get a glimpse of the legendary designs that have made Tiffany & Co. a household name. Starting in New York City in 1837, you will discover just how far plucky upstart Charles Lewis Tiffany went to be crowned the King of Diamonds. It is a tale of fortunes won and lost, the discovery of new gems and design talent, and the making of some of the most iconic jewels of our times - including the classic Tiffany engagement ring. Tiffany & Co.: The Story Behind the Style is the perfect gift for any fashion or jewellery lover. Also available: Cartier: The Story Behind the Style

The widespread appeal of Mexican silver jewelry can be attributed to the artistic quality and variety, plus the large production volume of these small treasures. It is both wearable art and the perfect collectible. This book includes examples from three categories of Mexican silver jewelry: 1) top designer pieces -- hallmarked and representing the best technical virtuosity and artistic achievement; 2) popular silver jewelry -- often of considerable artistic merit, often hallmarked, yet by unknown or lesser-known makers; 3) tourist trinkets -- anonymously made and produced in relatively large quantity. All three categories are shown, while the most popular silver jewelry is the main focus of this book. Most examples are shown close up, so the details are clearly shown. Identifying information and value ranges accompany the 1150 color photos. The bibliography, index, illustrated glossary, and illustrated section on hallmarks make this the most complete reference for the widespread field.

'Diamonds' is the leading guide of its kind to learning about these precious gems and understanding the main factors that determine their value and quality. Whether coming to diamonds for the first time or already knowledgeable in the field, every reader will find something of interest and value in its pages. A unique feature of the book is the chapter dedicated to natural colour diamonds, with descriptions and illustrations of every colour group. While colour diamonds are an increasingly important part of the diamond trade, there is little information about them in the popular literature, and their full treatment here has received much praise from readers. The story of diamonds is told from their humble origins in the form of carbon, the most basic element of life, through their many transformations by the forces of nature and the human hand on their way to becoming beautiful gems. The book is equally informative about the recent history of diamonds and the forces re-shaping the industry today, including the global shifts in centres of production and distribution, the implementing of international ethical standards within the trade, and the emerging roles of China, India,Russia and Dubai as major players in the diamond market. The author aims to promote the highest standards of good practice in the diamond industry to a wider audience. 'Diamonds' is designed with equal attention to the text, written in clear and jargon-free language, and the images, which show diamonds in their full range of cuts, shapes and colours, along with some of the world's most stunning contemporary and historic diamonds.

This work, published on the 94th birthday of Diana Scarisbrick, honours her extraordinary career as the 'world's leading jewellery historian'. Twenty scholars, most of whom have known and benefited from Scarisbrick's vast knowledge over many decades, have contributed essays to this book. Liber Amicorum centres around the historian to which it is dedicated, Diana Scarisbrick. The work of the twenty contributors owes much to her own pioneering research in the feeled of jewellery history. The book opens with a brief biographical summary of Scarisbrick's life before exploring her assiduous work in the field of jewellery history. A subsequent bibliography of Scarisbrick's career work is provided which includes articles, interviews, and books published from 1970 to the present day, and serves as evidence of her eminence. The work as a whole functions as a 'small token of appreciation for all that she has contributed to the world of jewellery history'. The essays in this publication cover topics that range from Roman jewellery to the contemporary production of jewellery. Not constrained by a focus on one particular time period, these essays are indicative of the breadth of influence that Diana Scarisbrick's career has had. Contributions cover several different themes: amongst the objects discussed are gems, rings, chalices, bindings and crown jewels. The themes covered include jewel theft, methods of jewellery production, and the collections of individuals. Throughout each essay the insightful historical research of the contributors is beautifully supported by high quality illustrations. These bring the book to life, highlighting the splendour and fragility of some of the objects that are dicussed.

This new guide is the first to explore all facets of Native American jewelry--its history, variety, and quality--in one convenient resource. With coverage beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, this resource includes artists, techniques, materials, motifs, and more. The encyclopedia opens with helpful introductory essay to acquaint the reader with the subject. More than 350 entries and over 80 photos make this new encyclopedia and exceptional value.

This splendidly illustrated book celebrates the historic silver and turquoise jewelry of the Navajo and Pueblo Indians. It presents for the first time over 300 superb objects that are usually hidden from view in museum storerooms and private collections across the United States. Larry Frank discusses the history of this jewelry from 1868, when the Navajos were restored to their homeland, to 1930, when tourist demand and mass production ended the innovative first phase of the craft. He explores early design sources in contemporary Spanish, Mexican, and Plains Indian work; describes Navajo tools and techniques (often used under conditions of extreme hardship); traces the cultural development of jewelry-making from a past-time to an esteemed profession; and notes the Pueblo Indians' contribution - the sophisticated use of turquoise. Of interest to specialists will be his reevaluation of the Plains Indian contribution and his dating sequence, based on close examination of the style and technique of hundreds of objects. Indian Silver Jewelry contains 253 close-up photographs - 52 of them in color - of conchas, necklaces, bracelets, rings, hair ornaments, bridles, and other pieces, as well as rare photographs of Indians wearing jewelry. The illustrations are grouped by collection - The Smithsonian Institution, the Field Museum of Natural History, the Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of New Mexico, the Heard Museum, the Wheelwright Museum, the Millicent Rogers Museum, the Lynn D. Trusdell Collection, and assorted private collections. The detailed captions invite the reader to look, compare, and discover for himself the extraordinary beauty and vitality of Southwest Indian silver jewelry.

As the founding of the Roycroft art community in New York State reaches its one hundredth anniversary this year, collector interest in the Arts & Crafts-style items that were made there is stronger than ever before. Of particular interest are the beautiful and varied hammered copper ware the "Roycrofters" made. This second volume provides nearly two hundred color photographs of copper vases, bookends, trays, and more-including many rarely-seen items. The history of the group and the evolution of its art metal are discussed, along with criteria for evaluating the quality of individual pieces. The different marks and patinas used by the company are documented. of further interest is a discussion of the Tookay Shop and Avon Coppersmith, both spin-offs from the Roycroft community, which continued in a similar tradition. A price guide is included.

Tiaras have always inspired a great fascination and the most beautiful and influential women have been painted, photographed and admired whilst wearing them. Even in the 21st century they are still worn and continue to inspire special poise, elegance and sophistication. This lavishly illustrated book includes exclusive photographs, many repro duced for the first time, of a variety of Royal tiaras together with those of French and Russian Imperial provenance, including four stunning tiaras designed by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria. Geoffrey Munn has also been granted privileged access to the archives of many famous jewellers, including Boucheron, Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels and Faberge, for his research. The regal images of some of the most prestigious jewels in the world will captivate the reader and ensure turning the page to the next enticing image becomes irresistible. Many of these mes merising tiaras also have great historical signifi cance and their provenance is fully explained here. Among the con temporary pieces referred to are tiaras belonging to Jamie Lee Curtis, Vivienne Westwood, Elton John and Madonna, that were made by Galliano, Slim Barratt and Versace. The scholarly text, which incorporates more than 400 illustrations, includes chapters on tiaras as crown jewels, Russian style tiaras, tiaras as works of art and the relationship between the tiara and the costume ball. Tiaras - A History of Splendour is a magnificent work that will enthral all those interested in fashion and style, jewellery, European history and Royalty. "... beautifully written and magnificently produced... for anyone interested in social history, it's as good a read as you are likely to have this year." Daily Telegraph "A truly majestic book" Antiques Info "... elegantly melds social history, fashion criticism and an appreciation of the jeweler's art." Town & Country

This book provides the best study of Art and Crafts style jewelry and metalwork to date. Devised late in the 19th century as a reaction to industrialized manufacturing, the Arts and Crafts movement stressed naturalistic materials, designs and techniques. The book begins with the British movement and traces the roots of this "new art" including its characteristics, materials, motifs, influences and makers' marks. Biographical sketches are provided for over 240 of the most influential British designers/jewelers/metalworkers, with discussions of the guilds, schools and commercial firms. In over 700 photographs, nearly 400 in glorious color, the success of these designs to provide fascinating and beautiful objects is demonstrated.