Product Description

For many centuries precious jewels were only collected by kings and queens, emperors, popes and maharajahs. But in the last 100 years or so, movie goddesses, opera singers, industrialists, real-estate investors and rock stars have joined those with the means to deck themselves in glittering bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Posthumous auctions have revealed the grand jewelry collections of recent times. The famous sale of 1987 uncovered the full extent of the dazzling designs which belonged to the Duchess of Windsor. By the same token, as this book so handsomely shows, the collections of such society women as Daisy Fellowes, Mona Bismarck and Barbara Hutton can now be appreciated and described in detail. Among the royals and artistocrats featured are HRH the Princess Royal (Princess Mary) of Great Britain and Umber to II of Italy, and the noble German family of Thurn and Taxis; from the world of film and entertainment stars like Merle Oberon, Joan Crawford and Ava Gardner. The two authors, both international jewelry experts, not only offer a rare opportunity to view an extraordinary treasure trove of top-class jewels, but also reveal the stories behind the jewels and their collectors. With 250 plates, including some 120 in full colour, this is a book to be cherished by everyone with an interest in society, collecting and the very best of jewelry art.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #278913 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Review
"'Well written and thoroughly researched' - The Sunday Times 'An engrossing roll-call of rich and famous women, each with a past almost as colourful as their fabulous gems' - BBC Homes & Antiques"

Customer Reviews

I have seen better
"Famous Jewelry Collectors" is an odd combination of collectors: society ladies, actresses and royalty. For some it might be interesting to see the differences of the various collection I found it more annoying. It would have been better to separate these collectors. The stories are ok but do not deliver a huge inside, the photos are fine but as well not outstanding. All in all, not a really bad book but a book I could have done easily without.

light reading for dreamers
Interesting short stories about the collectors themselves more so than the actual jewellery (as the title would suggest) and lacking in detail as to how exactly these ladies may have come about acquiring such jewels, a delight to read yet once again a few too many black and white photos which unfortunately only infuriate the obsessed, not a huge amount of detail when describing the size, cut, colour etc of the pieces and their actual design. I would have liked some modern contemporary collectors to have been featured (published 2005)(Liz taylor, Madonna, etc, etc,) recommended as a coffee table book

Highly recommended for anyone who loves fine jewels
I am thrilled to have added this beautiful book to my collection. Informative, well illustrated and providing enthralling stories of those who love collecting fine jewels, this is a must have tome. Easy reading, entertaining an excellent source book. Don't miss it!