Customer Reviews

Yard: The Life and Magnificent Jewelry of Raymond C. Yard

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was purchased as a gift for someone in the jewelry business. I looked at it closely before

giving it to him and was torn as to whether to keep it for myself for it is a very fine book. The photographs

are stunning and the text well written. I was not familiar with Raymond Yard as a person. I only knew about

his work as a jeweler before reading about him in this book. He had a very fine character which for me

makes his designs all the more important. This book would be a fine addition to any professional jewelry

person's library as well as for ordinary people with a passion for jewelry or design.

I had not seen this book "in person" and am often disappointed in the quality of other art books I have purchased. Not so with "Yard: The Life and Magnificent Jewelry of Raymond C. Yard". It was meant to be a gift, but I must confess that I devoured the elegant photographs and the interesting copy before I wrapped this special book up for its new owner!

For a moderately priced book of a semi-obscure jeweler this book completes its goals. However, those looking for an actual in depth history of the business and its founder will not find it here. Lushly photographed and info-heavy on a few of Yard's more famous clients-it entertains and earns its price tag.

To take photos of jewelry is difficult. Photos with props, double jeopardy, but this book does it perfectly. The text is informative and with a dash of innocent gossip to keep interest. Only flaw: no examples of the signatures or the marks to expect that identify the jewelry. I understand that the jewelry Yard made is rare but as everything copycats always are present in every market

One of the pre-emininant jewelers of his time, Yard has always represented precision and taste in jewelry. Until now there has not been a lot printed about him or his company and only little snippets were available from auction catalogs. The book is nicely sectioned and beautiful photographs are helpful in describing Yard's gift of precision in jewelry manufacturing. There are some minor spelling and editing mistakes, but as a whole this book represents a valuable source for information concerning Yard, his company and some of his famous clientele.

An excellent resource for anyone interested in studying the Raymond Yard house style. The photography of the pieces is exceptional and can be used for answering questions of fine construction.

Some of the gemstones featured herein are truly exceptional and come from exhausted mines that have no modern equal. The material simply cannot be purchased today. Beyond the jewelry the book is worth buying to see the type of gemstone material that was once available to the creative jeweler.

so many of the pcs that we still see coming available from estates are not that distinct.... I know that every time I see one from Yard tthat it will be special.... the book tells why

Though the book received mixed reviews, I decided to take the plunge and purchase the edition. I was not disappointed.

The story of Yard is a fascinating one and the text is complemented by beautiful photographic spreads. As for the actual pieces, they are simply exquisite. Magnificent jewelry, it is.