MTJ Gift Guide: Jewelry Books
Every season is jewelry gift-giving season. When in doubt, go small, sparkly, and sentimental. Find holiday and milestone gift-giving ideas with our MTJ gift guides. And go ahead, treat yourself once in a while just because.
Picture credit: @assouline & @onlynaturaldiamonds
Get lit
Diamonds. Private celebrity jewelers. Crystals. The Cartiers. And getting Stoned. Reading about jewelry is *almost* as fun as wearing it. Here are five titles sure to dazzle the jewelry connoisseur on your list (or add to your jewelry library).
For the Diamond Devotee
Diamonds is not only an eye-catching coffee table accessory, it’s also a fascinating account of the role diamonds have played in our society. Published in partnership by Only Natural Diamond and Assouline, Diamonds tells the stories of famous diamonds, including the Hope diamond, the Millenium Star, and the Tiffany diamond, interviews designers and tastemakers, and is ultimately a celebration of the beauty of natural diamonds.
For the Art Aficionado
Go ahead, judge this book by its cover. You won’t be disappointed. Glenn Spiro’s jewelry line, G, has a cult following in the luxury jewelry market. G features bold, innovative designs with impeccable craftsmanship. Among his most notable pieces is the “Papillon” butterfly ring, a giant green and blue titanium ring featuring 326 tsavorites and 342 brilliant-cut diamonds, which Jay Z gifted to Beyoncé. This colorful volume showcases the most iconic pieces from the collection in glossy full-page spreads and highly detailed images of Spiro’s intricate work.
For the Crystal Lover
The New Stone Age delves into the metaphysical properties, history, and lore of fifteen different stones. Written by the jewelry editor of British Vogue, it includes tips for incorporating crystals into your home and wardrobe, as well as advice from designers and celebrities. A fun, enlightening book for any crystal lover looking to make positive changes in their life.
For the (Jewelry) History Buff
The Cartiers was written by none other than a Cartier herself, Francesca Cartier Brickwell. She tells the elaborate story of how her great-great grandfather’s small Parisian jewelry store grew throughout four generations to become the iconic jewelry empire. Based on behind-the-scenes accounts, interviews, family letters, and journals found in her grandfather’s cellar, The Cartiers is a story about the social history of high society, the hard knocks of revolution and war, entrepreneurship, and of course, good ole’ family drama.
For the Jewelry Enthusiast
Did you know that a pearl is essentially a scab of a parasitic infection in an oyster, and yet one queen’s envy for her sister’s particularly alluring pearl was at the root of the drama that caused the Anglo-Spanish war? Scientist, jeweler, and jewelry historian Aja Raden examines human behavior related to jewelry, how desire for beauty drives us, and how it has shaped our world. Full of obscure facts and stories, Stoned is a fascinating read for any lover of jewelry, history, psychology, geology, politics, or gossip.
Editor: Samantha Durbin
Curator: Sam Van deWalle
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