VINTAGE JEWELRY DESIGN

This book “Vintage Jewelry Design” by Caroline Cox, and published by Lark Books is an exquisite photographic experience and education. The vintage jewelry chosen to be represented here provides an extraordinary visual awakening. Lush broaches, necklaces, rings, earrings, etc., are featured and created using every conceivable material and style. Their acclaimed costume and precious metal jewelry rein supreme.

My own personal experience with vintage jewelry began many years ago. It happened when I was traveling to New York with a very wealthy friend. Her husband had ordered a car and driver to take us to Sotheby’s. Upon entering the very imposing showroom, we were whisked into a private room where a very prim and proper young woman greeted us. After a few minutes of conversation, we were presented with the most glittering display of vintage jewelry I had ever seen.

My friend makes this trip to choose her jewelry wardrobe. Each piece was more dazzling than the other. My friend would be gifted with one of these prizes for special occasions each year such as birthday, anniversary, mother’s day, good wife day, and other sundry celebrations. I asked her whether the lack of surprise, since she had made these selections, bothered her. She looked at me with her rather Cheshire cat grin and said, “You’ve got to be kidding!”

Needless to say, the whole adventure to Sotheby’s was surreal. There was jewelry displayed from Art Nouveau designers such as Georges Foucault His broaches encrusted with both diamonds and pearls were particularly beautiful.

We were also treated with the display of several tiffany pieces. We exclaimed over a particularly striking sensuous pendant with the iridescent Favrile glass.

Eugene Joseff’s was a showcase of many styles and types. His jewelry was featured in many movies. He was considered a jeweler to the stars.

If you don’t have a very wealthy friend to take you to Sothebys in New York, don’t fret. You can now live vicariously as I do by purchasing this fascinating book, “Vintage Jewelry.” It will transport you from the 1890’s to the 1990’s future collectables. You can have it all in one splendid volume.