Brilliant Rhinestones Vintage & Contemporary Jewelry [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Ronna Lee Aikins (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1574322958 | ISBN-13: 978-1574322958 | Publication Date: September 15, 2002 | Edition: 1

A companion for jewelry lovers and rhinestone collectors searching for that special piece of jewelry, this book aids in identifying the good from the bad, and the valuable from the worthless pieces. Over 750 color photos identifying over 950 pieces. Designers include Coro, Lisner, Kramer, Haskell, Trifari, Judy Lee, Hattie Carnegie, Napier, Beau Jewels, and Gerry's. 25 vintage advertisements showcase the costume jewelry of the past, as well as signed sterling from the 1960s and 1970s, men's pieces, and other fun accessories. 2003 values.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ronna Lee Aikins has collected costume jewelry for over 15 years and her book, Brilliant Rhinestones, is based on her personal collection. She owned a unique boutique offering vintage costume jewelry and clothing as well as new jewelry and couture. Pieces of her collection were also sold at an upscale Nashville, TN, clothing shop.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Collector Books; 1 edition (September 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574322958
• ISBN-13: 978-1574322958
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,128,399 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Rhinestones: Vintage & Contemporary Jewelry, March 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Brilliant Rhinestones Vintage & Contemporary Jewelry (Hardcover)

Lots of nice photos in this book but there is very little information about dating jewelry. Vintage and contemporary jewelry are mixed together so a newbie will not know what is old and what is new. It looks like the author took pictures of all her jewelry and then added values that a seller could only dream of getting. There are many jewelry books out there that are very informative but this is not one. Don't waste your money!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For your eyes only, July 1, 2007

By 

Pippa Lee (Honolulu, HI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Brilliant Rhinestones Vintage & Contemporary Jewelry (Hardcover)

I'm surprised to see this book has received such poor ratings because though I agree with other reviewers that it has its flaws, I don't think it is a bad book at all.
I bought this book at the bookstore without first looking up any reviews online. At the time, I had to choose between Aikins' book and one other book that had better photographs and a sleeker look. The Aikins' book won me over because most of the pieces are dated and they are photographed in their entirety and on their own. There is nothing wrong with focusing on a portion of a necklace or photographing a piece surrounded with props, but I also think it is important to be able to see what type of findings were common at a particular period in time (although the backs of earrings and brooches were not photographed for this book).
Most of the jewelry in this book is from the 1940s to 1950s. There are a few from the 1920s and earlier and a couple from the 1970s and 1980s. I like the variety of necklaces, bracelets, pins and earrings the author shows in this book. In fact, every time I open it, I seem to find a new piece that catches my attention even though I have read the book from cover to cover. This is not a book for those looking for historical references and explanations about the different styles and trends in jewelry fashion. For that, I would recommend such books as C. Jeanenne Bell's "Answers to Questions About Old Jewelry". "Brilliant Rhinestones," on the other hand, is more adequate as a visual reference for those who want to familiarize themselves with the "look" of a variety of pieces of vintage rhinestone jewelry.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not Informative or Realistic, June 27, 2004

By 

Chris (The Great Northwest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brilliant Rhinestones Vintage & Contemporary Jewelry (Hardcover)

Little information, very inflated prices on low end costume jewelry. Misleading for novices, no information for seasoned collectors. I wish I could sell things at these prices!