Customer Reviews

The Art of Juliana Jewelry

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you don't already know, DeLizza and Elster jewelry is among the most sought after costume jewelry around. Their use of unfoiled stones, art glass and other specialty rhinestones in fantastic multi-layered designs has made Juliana jewelry a standout. This beautiful jewelry is also extraordinarily well made, so it has held up well over the years.

Since DeLizza and Elster jewelry was never signed, it's always been difficult for the average collector to identify. Fortunately, Musetti's book contains a very detailed section on how to identify Juliana jewelry. She also uses lots of photos so that you can clearly understand exactly what she is describing to help with identification.

The book contains over 450 beautiful color photographs of DeLizza and Elster Juliana jewelry. My only criticism of the book is that some of the photos are a bit repetitious. On the other hand, I was also very pleased that Musetti included photographs of pieces that were attributed to and signed by other makers, such as Weiss, that were actually made by DeLizza and Elster.

I have a few pieces of jewelry in my collection that I had long suspected were Juliana, and I was delighted that my assumptions could actually be confirmed with photographic evidence from this book.

This is an absolute must have book for both the fledgling as well as experienced collector of costume jewelry.

Dawnjewels

What a gorgeous book! It is simply spectacular. The color photographs of incredilble Juliana jewels are enough to turn anyone into a collector. I had a difficult time picking a favorite because they were all so beautiful. Ms. Musetti clearly knows her subject and the information included in this book is comprehensive and well organized. There are 21 chapters in this book including how to identify Juliana jewelry, dating, repair and restoration, the history of the designers, and storage and care. But it is the pictures which will delight the casual and serious collector. The quality of the photographs is excellent. The cover is an eye-popping pink to die for. Photographs of women wearing the actual jewlery, including Ms. Musetti and Renata Tebaldi in perfomance, are a special treat. I highly recommend this book; it is a book you will open again and again.

This book is truly amazing! The photographs are outstanding, not to mention the wonderful information provided on Juliana jewelry. It was wonderful to see a book that displayed this jewelry so beautifully. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves the gorgeous glitzy jewelry made by DeLizza & Elster. Thank you so much, Ms. Musetti, this will be one of my most treasured jewelry books that I know I will use over and over again!

This book is fabulous! It is the most beautiful jewelry book in my collection and rivals my books on antique roses! As lovely as it is to look at, it's equally informative. Ms. Musetti teaches us about DeLizza & Elster's Juliana design elements and much more. Without her book, I wouldn't know that an authentic D&E sunburst necklace has seven dangles, while an owl necklace has five, or that my favorite Kramer pin, with its rhinestones of many colors and pave crescents of icing, was made by DeLizza & Elster. Such detail is greatly appreciated by collectors.

It's probably impossible to say that this or that is my favorite aspect of the book, but I must say that the photos of Ms. Musetti's voice teacher, Renata Tebaldi, and those of Ms. Musetti herself, wearing Juliana jewelry while performing touch my heart.

That leads me to the photos of Noel McLeary. They are absolutely stunning! Perfectly staged; perfectly photographed. The added touch of showing her in black and white while the jewelry she wears is in color is extraordinary and wonderfully suited to a book on vintage jewelry. It reminds me of several ads from the '50s and '60s that employed the same technique.

The entire book is superb! Thank you, Katerina, thank you for dedicating yourself to its production.

This delightful book is a joy to read, as well as a feast for the eyes of the most beautiful rhinestone jewelry created by William DeLizza and Harold Elster. The creativity and design of the jewelry is amazing, as well as the wonderful combination of colors, and variety of stones. Each piece is truly a work of art. Their jewelry from 1947 - 1967 bore no markings. From 1967 - 1990 the pieces were given a hang tag with the "Juliana" name on it, most of them have been removed over the years. Therefore it is important to understand the usual construction of their jewelry to help identify their pieces.

Mouth-watering photos of glam Juliana parures, but not extremely useful for the collector of the odd brooch or set of earrings found at yard sales and second-hand shops.

There are few details regarding identifying characteristics, and I don't believe there is any first-hand information from either Mr. DeLizza or Mr. Elster in the text.

Savvy jewelry collectors easily recognize the D & E cat's eye and Easter egg gems but there are many other pieces which might not be so quickly identified; I was hoping for further information on these unpretentious yet lovely finds.

Much like the ever-anticipated Sears Christmas Wishbook, this is a must-have for lovers of Juliana Jewelry. It is eye candy from page one. It is not often that I will spend 30+ dollars on a book, but if I do, I expect to enjoy it for years to come. I gave it four stars only because it is a picture (coffee table) book, rather than what I would consider a reference book. I could have done without the author's self-indulgent glam-shots.

This is a true stunning and elegant depiction of the beautiful Juliana Jewelry. The colors and design show the true appreciation of the style. The opulence of each and every piece is truly remarkable. If you enjoy beauty and design you will enjoy perusing this lovely book. As an artist I can see myself just admiring the color and composition. It is to Ms. Musetti's credit that the lavishness and boldness of every piece is depicted in such an inviting way. You will not only appreciate the jewelry but the passion that exudes from these pages. It is truly a wonderful and welcome addition to anyone's home.

Katerina Musetti's wonderful gift to us, The Art of Juliana Jewelry, is by far the best and most beautiful book on Juliana Jewelry making I've yet to discover. The exquisite pictures alone speak volumes for the artistry and passion of her jewelry making. Simply gazing at the spectacular constellations of color and beaded form are enough to transport even the most modest admirer to new heights of inspiration. It is no exaggeration to say that my breath was taken away by the sheer loveliness and beauty of jewelry so beautifully photographed in this book. Still, the book does not stop there. Ms. Musetti and Frank Delizza unselfishly pull back the curtain to reveal the greatest details of construction and form. They not only provide intricate and precise instructions on the jewelry's fabrication but provide yet more useful photographs of the jewelry's backs. They truly share all the secrets for success in this wonderful book. I wish I'd had this book years ago. I not only found it informative in my own crafting but deeply helpful in identifying and evaluating pieces I plan to purchase. This is a must have book for the creator and admirer alike.

I have been collecting Vintage Costume Jewelry for almost 20 years and this is one of the most wonderful books in my whole collection. All of the Vintage Costume jewelry collectors who have been wondering about the contributions of DeLizza and Elster will certainly appreciate this book! It has the most gorgeous pictures of, as far as I'm concerned, some of the most spectacular costume jewelry ever made. You really have to stop yourself from drooling on the pages. The pictures are so vivid it almost seems like you could touch them. Hooray for Katerina, you have given us all a wonderful gift in this book!