Costume Jewelry (DK Collector's Guides) [Hardcover]

Judith Miller (Author), John Wainwright (Author)

Book Description

Series: DK Collector's Guides | Publication Date: October 13, 2003

Tracing the history of costume jewelry from ancient times to the present day, and explaining how changing fashions, social developments, and the discovery of new materials have influenced and inspired designers, DK Collector's Guide: Costume Jewelry is exciting, comprehensive, and easy to use. Written by world-renowned antiques expert Judith Miller, the book offers more than 1,500 collectible pieces in catalog-style, including special sections on 25 major designers such as Joseff of Hollywood, Tiffany & Co, Chanel, Schiaparelli and Dior, and offers priceless tips on what to look for when buying costume jewelry.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT; 1st edition (October 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789496429
• ISBN-13: 978-0789496423
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #634,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Judith Miller began collecting in the 1960s while a student at Edinburgh University in Scotland. She has since extended and reinforced her knowledge of antiques and design through international research, becoming one of the world's leading experts in the field. In 1979 she co-founded the international bestseller Miller's Antiques Price Guide and has since written more than 100 books, which are held in high regard by collectors and dealers. Judith Miller appears regularly on TV and radio. She is an expert on the BBC's "Antiques Roadshow" and co-hosts the popular BBC TV series "The House Detectives," "ITV's "Antiques Trail," and Discovery's "It's Your Bid." She has appeared on "The Martha Stewart Show" and CNN. She is a regular lecturer and contributor to numerous newspapers and magazines, including Financial Times, BBC Homes & Antiques and House & Garden. She has lectured extensively, including at the V&A in London and the Smithsonian in Washington.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Visually stunning, always fascinating, January 22, 2004

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Costume Jewelry (DK Collector's Guides) (Hardcover)

"Costume Jewelry," a DK Collector's Guide, is by Judith Miller with John Wainwright, and features photography by Graham Rae. The back cover notes that over 1,500 collectible pieces are pictured and profiled in this book. This book is stunningly beautiful--it's full of detailed, full-color photographs that are accompanied by a well-written and informative text. Many different types of jewelry are depicted in these 256 pages--earrings, necklaces, bracelets, cufflinks, pins, etc.

The book is full of fascinating and useful features: profiles of major designers (Chanel, Christian Dior, Hattie Carnegie, etc.), a glossary, a section depicting designers' stamps and copyright marks, reproductions of vintage magazine advertisements, and more. The international directory of dealers, auction houses, and museums includes addresses, phone numbers, Web sites, fax numbers, and/or e-mail addresses. There are sections highlighting interesting trends: suffragette jewelry, cut steel jewelry, etc.

The book is full of intriguing sidebars about many different topics: the manufacture of faux pearls, the Surrealist influence on designer Elsa Schiaparelli, etc. There are also a number of spreads on "Hot Collecting Fields," such as Austrian crystal fruit pins and Bakelite jewelry; I was especially impressed by the 4-page spread on Scottish agate jewelry.

The book really covers a broad range of costume jewelry. Many different styles are depicted. The jewelry covered also represents a large range of materials--Berlin ironwork, Whitby jet, rhinestones, aluminum, poured glass, Lucite, rhodoid, copper, wood, faux coral, and more. I also like the fact that a broad price range is covered. There are many pieces that are under $50, as well as many that are over $1,000. But in the end it's the beautiful pictures that really blew me away--some pieces are elegant, some whimsical, many bursting with color and life. It's like a huge museum in a book, with an expert tour guide (the text) to accompany you.

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye Candy, December 1, 2003

By 

Ann M. Pitman (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Costume Jewelry (DK Collector's Guides) (Hardcover)

I love this book, it has some of the best photographs of jewelry to come out in years. If I could look at only one vintage costume jewelry book for an entire year, THIS would be it. There are tons of photographs of jewelry across the price spectrum, and at least a little bit of information about a lot of designers and companies. There are a few errors, such as some of the Bakelite she has pictured is actually Lucite or plastic, and some of the plastic and Lucite she has pictured is Bakelite. And while some of the pricing is exactly in line with what you would expect to fairly pay, some of the values are outrageous. But in a book this big, it can't all be perfect. This is the best book for new collectors, as it hits all the "big" names, doesn't gloss over the "little" names, and covers so much. It is also a great book for long time collectors. I have collected vintage costume jewelry for over 15 years, and I have over 50 cj books in my reference library; believe me when I say this book is wonderful eye candy.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good quick reference, October 22, 2004

By 

RY (Palo Alto, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Costume Jewelry (DK Collector's Guides) (Hardcover)

A beautiful book that covers an exaustive list of designers/makers. It's great for quick reference of designer bios and their notable pieces, or simply for enjoying the high quality photos. However, I find this book inadequate in terms of in-depth information on period/designer indentification based on material, craftmanship or markings. As a relatively new collector of vintage jewelry, I find it a good place to start, but it's by no means an all-in-one type of reference book.