Book Review: DIAMOND JEWELRY (2019)

Image: The Court Jeweller

Longtime readers here will know that I’m a big collector of royal jewelry books, and today I’ve got a sneak peek at one of the latest additions to my royal jewelry library! Here’s a look at Diana Scarisbrick’s newest book, Diamond Jewelry: 700 Years of Glory and Glamour.

Image: The Court Jeweller

The book’s title is an excellent summary of its content. Seven chapters cover the history of diamond jewels over the course of almost seven centuries, from the late medieval period to the present day. Scarisbrick focuses on the use of diamonds to assert and obtain power, as well as the way that the stones were cut and incorporated into grand pieces of jewelry. We also get introductions throughout to the people who bought, sold, and owned the magnificent gems.

Image: The Court Jeweller

The book itself is beautifully made, with substantial paper and sharp printing. It’s a hefty tome, with 256 pages and weighing in at almost four pounds. The quality of the images is outstanding. I really love the way that the book pairs up photographs of jewels with sumptuous reproductions of portraits from each era.

Image: The Court Jeweller

I found myself wishing that the last chapter of the book, which covers the entire twentieth century and two decades more, had been expanded and divided into additional sections. It felt a little rushed, and I would have been interested to see more modern portraits reproduced just as the older ones are. (I can only assume there are copyright/permissions issues with the use of newer images.) Even so, readers of this blog will find some very familiar pieces discussed within this final chapter — including, of course, the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara!

Image: The Court Jeweller

If you’re looking for a gorgeous new coffee table book, or if you’re also wanting to expand your personal jewelry library, I think you’ll really enjoy Diamond Jewelry. The book was published in October and should now be available through most major retailers. Amazon, where I bought my copy, currently has it on sale for $50, about $30 off the cover price — not a bad deal at all!