Customer Reviews

Queen's Jewels

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After reading this book and salivating at the photographs, I'll NEVER lust after anyone else's jewellery again. Apart from the sheer magnificence of the stones and the settings, the provenance of the pieces and just how they happened to be in the possession of the various members of the royal family, is completely fascinating. It's also a very interesting look at the social mores of the various eras. In Queen Victoria's time, she tended to wear more modest jewellery, much of which had a sentimental value to her, and so the ladies of the day tended to follow her example. In the following reign, that of Edward V11, the upper classes of the day followed the example of Queen Alexandra, who was a beauty and who dressed lavishly in her own particular style, which was followed by ladies of the court and which featured high necklines, decorated heavily with diamonds and precious stones. In the following reign of a very rigid George V and Queen Mary, the court seemed to be bolstering the idea of an unapproachable royalty, above the touch of scandal and to foster this idea by literally covering the Queen in jewels from head to toe. Today's monarch jewels up only on the most formal of occasions, but it's thanks to her and to the Queens of the past that this amazing collection has been built up over the years to amaze and bedazzle lovers of beautiful jewellery everywhere.

I was so impressed with and have gotten so much Joy from this book, it has inspired me enough to go ahead and try my first on-line review. When I noticed this was out of print I was very surprised. Even more so when I realized there was also a 1997-revised edition. I am hopeful its simply because the newly expanded volume is getting its finishing touches. With digital imaging technology having come so far since the publishing of the first two editions (87/97), the detail that is now available will hopefully be prominently featured in the next. A unique aspect of this book is the thoroughness of information presented on several different topics.
The title subject is definitely covered in meticulous detail. Aside from the jewels it really is almost a complete mini-biography of most of the British Royal Family. After all the Men bought jewels too! It is amazing to see an 18th century piece on Queen Elizabeth and be able to trace it exactly from it origin through the centuries.
The information in text and pictures give a much better understanding of the whole concept of continuity, with many surprises along the way. Tidbits like how Queen Victoria stubbornly refused to return gems that another Royal House insisted it owned. How important Jewels were to Queen Mary, not for their monetary value but because of their family historical importance. Its the little details like this that give you a much more personal understanding of monarchs, without being dishy or gossipy.

Both the front and back inside covers gives a complete family tree dating back to Henry VII. Inside, thirteen categories/chapters cover everything from Diamonds and Emeralds to Sapphires and Amethysts, explaining who favored a particular kind of gem or style over another. Do not expect a very in-depth education on gems, however you get a great understanding of the history and importance of gems through the centuries as a symbol of power and status. There is a generous amount of color and B&W photos perfectly balanced with the text. Generations of Royals Portraits set-up three or four to a page wearing the same Jewels over scores of decades are some of the picture highlights. I really don?t think you need to be a Royal Watcher to appreciate the images. From all the individuals listed in the Acknowledgments many of them with titles you understand this book was published with the complete cooperation and help of the entire Royal Family. Its the photography that makes you appreciate this. A perfect example of this is the cover subject. A magnificent necklace part of a set named: The Cambridge and Delhi Durbar Parure. Inside there is another full color page showing the complete set, however throughout the book you can see no less than ten or twelve different royals wearing some kind of configuration of it. Including the World Famous snapshot of the late Princess Diana wearing the necklace as a headband.
You cannot help but feeling like you know the members of the various royal houses a little better after reading a few excerpts. The entire volume gives you an impression that the author truly respects, enjoys and is highly educated on her subject. This is one of the few books that I own, that I know I will never post for sale used. I hope you enjoy!

I can't say enough about this book. Leslie Field obviously loves her subject; the amount of research that went into this book is impressive. It is fascinating to follow a piece of jewelry through history from Queen Victoria to Princess Diana through pictures. The accompanying text is informative, but the pictures really say it all in this book.

I purchased the original edition in 1987, and find that it continues to be enjoyable reading even today. There is a tremendous sense of history, as well as beautiful photography throughout this volume.

This book is absolutly WONDERFUL!! It's beautifully illustrated. It is worth every penny that you pay for it. I enjoy this book every time I look at it. The author has done a splendid job!!!!!!

I return again and again to indulge myself in the sheer pleasure of this book. Gorgeous illustrations and fascinating historical information.

This book has got to be the best book ever! Great story and fantastic photos. Anyone interested in the Royals or jewels will love this book. Great price too!!