Customer Reviews

Collecting Costume Jewelry 101: The Basics of Starting, Building & Upgrading (Identification & Value Guide)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Love the book! I found it to be an excellent resource with over 750 colored crisp photographs and 130 manufacturers/designers featured. It is filled with detailed background information on the manufacturers and recommendations on pieces that are most collectible. It covers designers like Weiss, Trifari, Coro and Kramer but then goes into top designers like Schreiner, Schiaparelli, Hobe', Haskell and the list goes on! I carry the book with me everywhere! The information in this book has assisted me in picking up gorgeous pieces to add to my collection. It is a must have book! Deborah Reece

I love this book! Finally a good jewelry book in FULL color. I have bought a lot of jewelry books and been disappointed by good information but black & white pictures. Finally a very informative book that is also filled with tons of beautiful color pictures. It is full of all the things that you need to be a knowledgeable collector or seller. Just great - I highly recommend it for everyone!

The best book out there for novice and seasoned collectors alike. Completely packed with INFORMATION and PERFECT color pictures. EVERY maker is given a section with information on: Dates of operation, Brief history, Marks, Signature looks & styles and Recommendations for buying.
Chapters include: 1) When to Buy & When to Walk Away, 2) Four Recommended Designers for Beginners, 3) Designer-Signed Jewelry, 4) Marked by Style Jewelry, 5) Upgrading Your Colletions, 6) Repairing & Cleaning, Plus Glossary and Design Patent Numbers and U.S. Patent Numbers.
All that and the most AMAZINGLY CLEAR & UP CLOSE photos, too!
I still cannot get over what a wonderful book this is and I surely hope Julia C. Carrol is working on her second book.

This is a one-of-a-kind book! I looked through two dozen jewelry ref. books looking for one like this! The author gives you clear, colorful photos...but also lots of useful information about each designer and company. Ever wonder how to identify whether a Trifari brooch is old or made last year? Ms. Carroll will give you dates of markings on certain years to look for. I've learned so much from this book. Thank you, Ms. Carroll!

This is a great book for the beginning or long-time collector. Ms. Carroll gives great tips for online auctions. She runs the gamut of designers from A to Z with particular attention paid to the big names. Everyone will learn something from this book. You shouldn't buy or sell online or at flea markets without it!

I just started getting into miriam haskell. I wanted to learn more about this jewelry, and this book is a excellent reference.

This is an Excellent Reference Book for the beginner as well as the experienced collector. So much information with excellent photos. Highly Recommended.

I actually bought her 2nd book (202) before buying this one (101) and while I treasure my 202 guide much more than this first one (because I'm not a beginner) - I think it is a fabulous book to have for those starting out. With a lot of fake WEISS and other great designers' jewelry being reproduced and sold as the real thing today (especially on eBay), it's a good guide to have that shows a fair amount and variation of these favorite popular designers' pieces. This will help the beginner collector possibly know a fake when they see it. Not all that shines and sparkles means it is the real thing or that it's collectible. I believe both her books should be bought together but the 202 Guide is definitely the very best there is (because it shows so many patents). I particularly like the fact that both of these books are done in sturdy paperback because if they were hardbound, they would be so heavy given how big they are. Lots and lots of colorful pictures! Well done!!

Found this book to be very helpful at my jewelry shows. Has lots of pictures and information on vintage jewelry and numerous designers. Does not go into great detail, but gives enough good information to be helpful. Because the information is listed in alpha order, my customers find it helpful when looking up specific designers or styles. This book is great for beginners and old collectors alike.

This book along with the "202" book by the same author are "must have"s for costume jewelry collectors, buyers and sellers. I can't rate them highly enough.