Jewelry International: Volume III by Caroline Childers, published by Tourbillon International.
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When I first saw this book I was a bit sceptical as to how
useful it would actually be to my research. However when I started reading I
did find it very useful indeed. The book is split into three sections. In the
first section, Childers discusses a huge inspiration point for jewellers around
the world and throughout history... Animals. She looks at how the ancient
civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Etruscans, Mayans and
Aztecs among others, used animal motifs in their jewellery and why they used to
use particular animals over others. She moves through history charting
particular animals and countries and discussing what differentiates their
jewellery from that of all the others. Six chapters allow a more detailed
look at specific species including those mythical. (Reptiles, Mammals, Birds,
Insects, Creatures of the Sea, Fantastical Animals.)
The second section of the book deals with gemstones. Each
of the 24 short chapters in this section deal with a gemstone that is either
precious or semi-precious, mineral or organic and discusses their properties,
uses, origins and, in certain cases, which one of the many designers was responsible
for popularising them. Wherever possible the author also discusses ancient
legends which might have promoted the use of these stones in ancient
civilizations or stories of popular version of stones such as those of the
Hope, Koh-I-Noor and The Great Star of Africa diamonds. (Agate, Amber,
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Chrysoberyl, Citrine, Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet,
Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Opal, Pearl, Peridot, Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire,
Spinel, Tanzanite, Topaz, Tourmaline, Turquoise.)
The final section consists of 18 chapters which covers 18
different ‘Houses of Prestige’. Each chapter discusses the trademark of the
company it covers and how this changed or remained throughout the history of
the house and, in cases where the founder has retired or died, what the current
designers are looking to achieve now and how they are trying to keep their
legacy alive. This, along with certain key pieces and customers that are
eternally linked to the houses.
References
Childers, C., 2011. Jewelry
International: Volume III. Annual ed. New York : Tourbillon International
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