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"As with stocks, education is the way to begin. There are many excellent books on the jewelry market, but start with Understanding Jewellery, the industry bible by two former Sotheby's jewelry executives, David Bennett, and Daniela Mascetti." -
Kristen Shirley, Bloomberg
Understanding Jewellery
is a comprehensive guide to 19th and 20th Century jewellery. From the methods used to identify and date pieces, to the factors that can affect their value, this volume contains an abundance of expertise relating to precious stones and metals. With almost 1000 magnificent colour illustrations accompanied by straightforward but thorough explanations, this publication offers a richer and more accessible reading experience than traditional text-dominated books.
Including introductions to precious and semi-precious stones, and details of the stylistic developments of jewellery over the last 200 years, this volume is a standard work of reference and aninvaluable tool for collectors and dealers alike.
"... a delightful and presentation worthy coffee table book, Understanding Jewellery
also, in the truest sense, serves as an inviting educational tool with exhaustive encyclopedic explanations of jewelry starting in the late 18th century to the present." - New York Journal of Books
About the author
Regarded internationally as a leading authority in the field of precious stones and jewelry,
David Bennett spent 42 years in the role of Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby's jewelry division, a post he held until 2020. During his prestigious career, David sold three of the five most-expensive jewels in auction history, as well as seven 100-carat diamonds, earning him the nickname the ‘100-carat man’. David has also presided over many legendary, record-breaking auctions, such as the Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor (1987), The Princely Collections of Thurn und Taxis (1992) and Royal Jewels from the Bourbon-Parma Family (2018).
Daniela Mascetti is one of the jewelry world's most experienced scholars specializing in the history of jewelry. Daniela joined Sotheby’s in 1980, opening the firm’s jewelry department in Milan shortly afterwards. Following a distinguished career of 40 years at Sotheby’s, she was appointed Jewellery Chairman of Europe, a position she retained until 2020. Highlights from Daniela's distinguished career include research for the sales of historic collections such as the Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor (1987), The Princely Collections of Thurn und Taxis (1992), Elton John, Maria Callas and Gina Lollobrigida.
Summary
This essentially practical book, Understanding Jewellery is unique in explaining why jewellery values vary and the individual points important for each category. A major section is devoted to the identification of the major gemstones and the testing methods to assess
Additional text
"As with stocks, education is the way to begin. There are many excellent books on the jewelry market, but start with Understanding Jewellery, the industry bible by two former Sotheby’s jewelry executives, David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti."
