Customer Reviews

Collector's Guide to Costume Jewelry: Key Styles and How to Recognize Them

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

 

 

This is one of the few books I have seen that includes both stunning color photos and informative text about early "paste" jewelry -- the "costume" jewelry of the pre-1910 Edwardian and Victorian eras, made to look like real gems. There is also a wonderful section on art nouveau, again in great color. About half the book focuses on more modern costume jewelry, but anyone who loves older pieces shouldn't overlook it!

I love this book and have found it a great resource for my costume jewellery business.It helps to train your eye to recognise the different eras and designers and provides interesting historical detail that I now pass on to my customers. Price guides are notoriously hit and miss (the prices are either way too cheap or totally unrealistic) but this book actually teaches you things that anyone can apply to buying, selling or collecting costume jewellery. Pretty pictures too! Read and enjoy!

I bought this boook largely as a result of reading the other reviews.... What a big mistake. This book is TOTALLY useless for anyone interested in antiques and collectibles. It has no prices. It shows no makers marks. Identification is only possible by looking at individual pieces??? If that is the case then this book should contain thousands of items and run into several volumes. This book may be of passing interest to the art and design crown, but has no practical use for the collector. One of the worst books I have ever bought.

Lovely book that describes the history of costume jewelry, from the late 18th century to the present, with beautiful photos throughout. I began collecting vintage findings and glass to use in my own jewelry designs, and have been fascinated by the variety and inventiveness of what is available. It was wonderful to get a context for some of these items from this book, and I liked learning about the history, terminology, and major influences on the trade. So far, it seems to be hard to find information on costume jewelry, other than valuation for dealers and collectors.
The pieces chosen to illustrate this volume were great, inspiring designs.

I bought this book to see works by Hervé Van der Straeten but there is NOTHING! His name is not even in the glossary. This book is FAIL.

This is a really fun book to read if you're into costume jewelry. Has some good practical advice too.