There’s a wealth of knowledge about jewelry out there in the world and here’s where to find it! Expect fascinating facts, tantalizing tales, and utterly breathtaking pictures.

Jewelry Books

Click the title link to go to each jewelry book’s full review, or follow the “buy it here” links to make it yours.

Please note: jewelry reference books are often printed in small quantities, so some titles may be hard to find. 

Sevan Bicakci by Vivienne Becker.
This book is: a gorgeously-illustrated look at the life, inspiration, and work of Turkish master jeweler Sevan Bicakci.
Other elements: the culture of art and artistry in Turkey, incredible jewelry.
Read it: if you love jewelry, art, beautiful things, the Ottoman aesthetic, or just enjoy gorgeous images.
Buy it here: AbeBooks or Amazon.

Brilliance and Fire: A Biography of Diamonds by Rachelle Bergstein.
This book is: a history of our love affair with diamonds.
Other elements: diamond mining, famous stones, jewelry history.
Read it: if you want to know WHY you’ve heard that a diamond is forever.
Buy it here: Indiebound or Amazon.

If These Jewels Could Talk: The Legends Behind Celebrity Gems, by Beth Bernstein.
This book is: a fascinating look into the relationship between the silver screen, fabulous jewels, and the celebrities who love them both.
Other elements: film trivia, classic Hollywood.
Read it: if you love movies, jewelry in movies and on movie stars, film history, glamour, and/or incredible jewelry.
Buy it here: Indiebound or Amazon.

My Charmed Life By Beth Bernstein.
This book is: a memoir about a strong woman and her jewelry.
Other elements: airplanes, divorce, family dynamics, marriage, jewelry, being a woman.
Read it: if you love (or even like) jewelry and stories about inspirational women.
Buy it here: Indiebound or Amazon.

The Cartiers by Francesca Cartier Brickell.
This book is: a deep dive into the history of the Cartier family, written by one of their own.
Other elements: jewelry, Paris, Cartier, New York, famous jewels.
Read it: if you have any interest in Cartier at all.
Buy it here: Indiebound or Amazon.

Georgian Jewellery 1714-1830 by Ginny Redington Dawes and Olivia Collings.
This book is: widely considered by jewelry lovers to be THE ultimate Georgian jewelry book (and for good reason).
Other elements: Georgian jewelry! This one has a very straightforward title.
Read it if: you want to understand as much about Georgian era jewelry as you possibly can.
Buy it here: Indibound or Amazon.

Jewellery in the Age of Queen Victoria: A Mirror to the World by Charlotte Gere and Judy Rudoe.
This book is: an intellectual look at the jewelry of the Victorian era with plenty of attention paid to the wider cultural attitudes and events of the time.
Other elements: gorgeous photos and a detailed index perfect for jewelry lovers who like to double-check their facts (like yours truly).
Read it if: you want to understand the jewelry of the Victorian era in a historical context.
Buy it here: Indiebound or Amazon.

Beautiful Creatures by Marion Fasel.
This book is: a lovely look at jewelry inspired by the animal kingdom.
Other elements: birds, butterflies, snakes, jeweled beasts, The American Museum of Natural History.
Read it: If you love animal jewelry and beautiful pictures!
Buy it here: Indiebound or Amazon.

Gem: The Definitive Visual Guide.
This book is: a vividly illustrated, accessibly written powerhouse of gemological knowledge.
Other elements: Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian and with a foreword by Aja Raden, New York Times-bestselling author of Stoned.
Read it: if you have even a passing interest in the prettiest of rocks.
Buy it here: Indiebound or Amazon.

The Imperfects by Amy Meyerson.
This book is: a jewelry-centered novel! A fictional family drama, historical romance, and jewelry adventure rolled into one.
Other elements: the love of a difficult family, relationships over time, family history, the Florentine diamond.
Read it: if you love beautifully-woven interpersonal relationships, layered family stories, or jewelry.
Buy it here: Indiebound or Amazon.

If you’re not sure what you want, click here to scroll my jewelry books archive. For more ideas, see all the jewelry books on my wishlist on my Jewelry Library in Progress Pinterest board.

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