Four fabulously lovely books on jewellery reveal how dazzling gemstones and inspired design combine to create something effervescently gorgeous – and utterly covetable.
WORDS Robyn Alexander PHOTOS Supplied
Jewelry Guide: The Ultimate Compendium
by Fabienne Reybaud (Assouline, 2022)
With the air of seemingly effortless luxury and glamour that Assouline’s publications invariably exude, this book includes atelier images, design sketches and photographs, covering pretty much everything a jewellery aficionado needs to know – including “the club of five” and “the four Cs”. French author and editor Fabienne Reybaud documents the world’s most mythical stones and magnificent pieces, from the Hope Diamond to Elizabeth Taylor’s La Peregrina pearl; the guide also includes a glossary of jewellery terms, lists the best museum collections to visit around the world, and suggests up-and-coming designers to follow. | assouline.com
Cartier
edited by Helen Molesworth and Rachel Garrahan (V&A Publishing/ Abrams & Chronicle Books, 2025)
Published to accompany the Victoria and Albert Museum exhibition about the French jewellery house, this book takes the phrase “visual treat” to the next level. From custom tiaras to the iconic Tank watch and (relatively!) affordable pieces such as the Love bracelet, Cartier showcases the innovative styles that have characterised the couture jewellery makers since 1847. The text traces the history of Cartier while exploring broad thematic ideas about the firm’s use of gemstones and various design directions, and the detailed captions – of images of both the jewels on their own, and worn by their various, frequently well-known owners – encourage dipping in and out. abramsandchronicle.co.uk | jonathanball.co.za
The Jewelry Book
edited by Melanie Grant (Phaidon, 2025)
The Jewelry Book is the sort of publication Phaidon does best: an encyclopaedia-style roundup of the finest and most important art or design created by a particular person or field. Arranged in alphabetical order, this glamorous guide to all things bejewelled covers everything from heritage jewellery houses to under-the-radar creators and next-gen designers. Add a cornucopia of famous names whose influence has been important to the world of jewellery – think Notorious B.I.G. or Iris Apfel, for example – then give each entry its own exemplary image, and you’ve got a fabulous visual document of the last two centuries of jewellery design. phaidon.com | jonathanball.co.za
Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery
edited by Alexander Fury (Thames & Hudson, 2025)
Created in close collaboration with the iconic fashion house, this lavish survey of Vivienne Westwood’s jewellery designs looks at all the pieces that define her unique, punk-inspired aesthetic, including items such as a safety-pin brooch, “broken” pearl necklace, and earrings made from paperclips and rubber. All the items have been exquisitely photographed for the book, and are contextualised with catwalk shots and images of Westwood wearing her own pieces. Fashion journalist Alexander Fury’s text traces the motifs, techniques and inspirations of the world of Vivienne Westwood jewellery; in total, about 200 pieces are showcased, arranged by theme. A full range of jewellery types is included too, from necklaces, pendants and chokers to earrings and nose rings; brooches, pins, badges and medals; bejewelled sunglasses; cuffs and bangles; and even tiaras and coronets. Available from December 2025. thamesandhudsonusa.com | jonathanball.co.za
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