Customer Reviews

Collecting Costume Jewelry 303

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As with her two previous books, Julia Carroll has created a work packed with information. Books in the collecting costume jewelry genre are too frequently simply filled with photographs where a blue rhinestone brooch...is described as " BLUE RHINESTONE BROOCH".
Ms. Carroll's books apply scholarship and research to a subject that has seen little of that, particularly in the widely available mass market jewelry most of us see regularly. Filled with informative text, it's also lavishly illustrated.
I highly recommend this book as well as her first two books as indispensible to a dealer or collector of costume jewelry.

The jewelry books by Julia Carroll just keep getting better and better! She features examples & topics never seen before in other books. I loved seeing all the old stone catalog pages with examples, the chapter on learning how important it is to study the back of the jewelry as well as the front, and all the beautiful jewelry featured in the Jewelry Album. She also tops it off with wonderful articles on Sandor and Takahashi bird pins that will delight any collector. I could not put the book down! I have been collecting for many years but it goes to show that the learning process never ends. Keep it up, Julia!

Wow, Julia Carroll has done it again. I wish I could give this book 10 stars instead of 5! Like her other two books this new costume jewelry book is a great reference chocked full of interesting and useful information. I especially love the chapter on Takahashi birds which includes tips on how to identify the unmarked ones. I sat down and read this book cover-to-cover as soon as it arrived. Well worth the price!

"Collecting Costume Jewelry 303", Julia Carroll's third book, is a wonderful successor to her first two volumes. Once again, Mrs. Carroll has produced a book that both informs and delights. From the in-depth study of Sandor Goldberger jewelry in Chapter 1 to the Jewelry Album in Chapter 6, this book is a joyous ride through the fascinating world of collectible costume jewelry. As in her other two volumes, "Collecting Costume Jewelry 101" and "Collecting Costume Jewelry 202", the information here is heavily-researched, sorted, organized and presented in an easy-to-use manner. The photos are, once again, all about the jewelry. Crystal-clear and clean, with no distracting backgrounds, the lovely pieces are presented in all their glory. The catalog pages shown throughout the book are so well-photographed that one can read every word, right down to the pricing. The chapter on Takahashi Bird Pins gives these lovely creations the attention they have long deserved, while the chapter on Craft Jewelry of the 1960's and 70's illustrates the danger of judging on surface looks alone whether or not a piece is designer-made. The chapters on Stones and Findings are highly detailed and packed full of information, conveniently collected here in one place. Like her first two volumes, this book works on many levels and for all collectors, whether they are just getting started or have years of experience. I have all three of Mrs. Carroll's books, and they are always the volumes I consult first. If you are building a library on collectible costume jewelry, Julia Carroll's books are a must-have. Definitely worth purchasing!

Julie's book are always a delight to receive!Just like getting an early Christmas present,and one that I will enjoy using for years to come. Her dedication to the history of costume jewelry shows in each of her publications. Costume Jewelry 303 concentrates on such topics as stones, findings, and manufacturing techniques and how they were used by various jewelry companies. I found the information on different stone types particularly fascinating. She has also included two spotlight articles on Sandor jewelry and Takahashi bird jewelry. Julie has done more than most authors to preserve the history of costume jewelry manufacturing in the U.S.A. that might otherwise have been lost. Her research in tracking down the few remaining people who were involved in the actual manufacturing is amazing. This book goes right on the shelf next to Julie's other books that I refer to practically daily.
I am in the costume jewelry business and rely on her writings for essential (and accurate) information about my inventory.

When I first got this book, I could not believe the plethora of incredible information. The stone charts are invaluable. If you are new to collecting, you HAVE to buy this book. And if you are not new to collecting but are a long time collector like I am, YOU need this book too! I am actually reading it from the beginning because there is so much great information. This book will always remain in my reference library, it's THAT good.

Collecting Costume Jewelry 303 is the third in a series of books aimed at the beginning and intermediate collector. It is packed full of interesting information and illustrated with clear, large photographs - including close views of backs, signatures, and other hardware details. Jewelry from over 95 different makers, ranging from average to high-end, is shown. The chapter on Sandor Goldberger jewelry features rare Sandor jewelry from the family collection and discusses the day-to-day operation of this interesting company. Takahashi hand-made wooden bird lapel pins are soaring in value. An entire chapter is dedicated to the highly collectible Takahashi birds. This gorgeous chapter features rare birds from Carol Takahashi's private collection and provides tips on how to identify unmarked Takahashi birds. In addition, the stone chapter is a great reference for anyone trying to identify rhinestones and/or special stones used in costume jewelry. Enjoy!

This is an excellent book on Identification and information regarding the 50's & 60's designers, manufacturing and wholesale jewelry companies. With this book and a Thorough reading you will be on your way to identifying jewelry you currently own and jewelry you want to purchase.

This book is an absolute must have for the collector of brooches.
A lot of interesting and usefull information about vintage jewelry.
And a big part of the book is an introduction about the makers.
Many illustrations support the description.