Brilliance! Masterpieces from The American Jewelry Design Council (Lark Jewelry Book) [Paperback]

Cindy Edelstein (Author), Frank Stankus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2008

This sensational design book showcases America’s most gorgeous and inventive art jewelry! For over a decade, the elite invitation-only American Jewelry Design Council (AJDC) has sponsored an annual project: every member creates an original piece based on a given theme.  With imagination and skill, jewelers have tackled such concepts as the Mona Lisa, Wheel, Key, Puzzle, Water, Flight, Peekaboo, Sphere, Pyramid, and Secret Treasure. Each of these topics now becomes a dramatically photographed chapter, complete with illuminating introductions by renowned jewelry writers Cindy Edelstein and Frank Stankus. In addition to background information on the AJDC, and the story of the annual design event, artists’ commentaries enhance specific images. A final members’ section includes a biography, headshot, and additional jewelry images for each talented individual.

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600591574
• ISBN-13: 978-1600591570
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 9.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #519,739 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliance is an understatement, June 24, 2008

By 

R. Eberhard "Eclectic Studio" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brilliance! Masterpieces from The American Jewelry Design Council (Lark Jewelry Book) (Paperback)

This wonderful collection of contemporary jewellery gathered from the American Jewelry Design Council's annual Design Project, showcases the best of the best in each theme for the past 12 years. Commencing with the Cube in 1992, it moves through the Wheel, Key, Puzzle, Water, Flight, Peekaboo, Fold, Sphere,Pyramid, Secret Treasure, finishing in 2007 with the Sprial.

It is inspiring to read the design process for each of the pieces, the artists "interpretation" of the theme and to then gaze at the equisite pieces, beautifully photographed. Each piece is both contemporary and timeless, some are playful and quirky, others just shout at you to look at them. I could not choose one project more than another as there was always at least one or two pieces in each category that I greatly admired.

Upon recieving this book I sat down and read it cover to cover. Then went back and did it again. Each time seeing something new. I especially liked the the last chapter, on "The Artists" 1-2 pages per artist with a short bio and more photos of their extrodinary craftmanship.

This wonderful book will suit many people, the budding jeweler or student, those seeking inspiration in their own work, collectors of jewellery and even as a straight coffee table book. I would give this 6 stars if I could. I simply love it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interpretations of a Theme, June 3, 2009

By 

Quirky (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brilliance! Masterpieces from The American Jewelry Design Council (Lark Jewelry Book) (Paperback)

This book is a compilation of interpretations of several themes by accomplished jewelers. It is quite interesting to see how different people utilized the themes that they were given by the American Jewelry Design Council. It is a photo book, there are no academic essays.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliance! Masterpieces from The American Jewelry Design Council, September 30, 2008

By 

Elizabeth B. Ryan (Berkeley, California USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brilliance! Masterpieces from The American Jewelry Design Council (Lark Jewelry Book) (Paperback)

This is a gorgeous book. It is filled with close-up photographs of the work of outstanding jewelers, so feast your eyes! Some have several entries; some have just one. Styles of the chosen works vary, so you get an excellent overview of what has been going on in the world of fine jewelry in recent years. Some pieces are over the top; others are very restrained. All are very finely made. They are accompanied by statements by and photos of the artists. All are products of design challenges set by the Jewelry Design Council, and it is fascinating to see how various artists interpret a one word challenge such as "spiral," for example. The variations are many and many are wondrous. I couldn't put it down. This would be a great gift for anyone who makes or collects jewelry or anyone who appreciates fine craft.