This Solange Book and 9 More New Releases Are A Jewelry Lover’s Dream

With a very au courant neon green jacket, Solange: Jewellery for Chromantics demands your attention at first sight. And because the 272 pages that follow are just as captivating, this is one book that you can—and should—judge by its cover. The Rizzoli title celebrates the 35-year career of British jewelry designer Solange Azagury-Partridge, who has made a name for herself as one of the go-to jewelers for avant-garde, pop art-influenced pieces. Everyone from Beyoncé and Sarah Jessica Parker to Thandiwe Newton and Julianne Moore has worn her edgy creations, which are, above all else, inspired by joy. 

In the first book about her work, out on October 15, Azagury-Partridge treats longtime fans—as well as those who are unfamiliar with her designs—to a deliciously extravagant curation of her most whimsical pieces. Following a foreword by Victoria and Albert Museum curator Clare Phillips, jewelry historian Ruth Peltason explains how words like “synesthesia,” “veridian,” and “chlorophyll” tie into Azagury-Partridge’s fantasy-fueled, emotionally-driven collections (the latter refers to her emerald, ruby, diamond and lacquer Chlorophyll necklace, which is set in blackened 18-karat white gold and is pictured on the cover of the book). 

The themed chapters that follow are a true feast for the eyes, featuring dazzling gemstone-filled photos along with insightful text by the designer herself. It’s a book that you’ll pour over time and again for inspiration—and you’ll want to pre-order it now, along with 9 more of the best jewelry books being published this fall. Read on for everything to know about this season’s most enchanting new titles.

Precious: The History and
Mystery of Gems Across Time 

True jewelry aficionados will devour gemologist Helen Molesworth’s first book, which is part memoir, part historical exploration. The jewelry expert traces the discovery of 10 natural gems over the course of 272 pages in Precious, in addition to sharing the incredible stories of famous jewels worn throughout the ages, from Cleopatra and Marie Antoinette to modern-day celebrities and the British royal family. Educational as it is entertaining, it certainly deserves a read. For a more in-depth analysis, check out our full review.

Bizarre Beauty:
The Art of William Harper 

From his paintings to his jewelry designs, American artist William Harper is known for bringing a truly eclectic style to his work. Often mysterious and experimental, his abstract pieces are typically made from metal and colorful enamel, occasionally juxtaposed with gemstones to explore different compositional ideas. Bizzare Beauty traces Harper’s more than 60-year career, during which he’s sought inspiration from African sculpture, medieval art, and modern dance. The diversity of his unique mixed-media collection is explored in this comprehensive monograph, in which editors Glenn Adamson and Martha J. Fleishman present a biography of Harper alongside essays about his artistic process, written by a range of art experts and historians. Naturally, there’s a plethora of Harper’s most captivating pieces to go along with them.

Bulgari AETERNA

Bulgari’s latest high jewelry collection, Aeterna, is presented in a stunning encyclopedia written by the fashion house’s jewelry creative director, Lucia Silvestri, and heritage curator, Gislain Aucremanne. Inspired by the spirit of reinvention and the brand’s ties to Rome, the 150-piece collection is downright drool-worthy. It’s photographed in all of its glory throughout the course of four heritage-filled, opulent chapters, accompanied by additional texts from noted art, history, and design experts.

Divine Jewels: The Pursuit of Beauty 

In addition to his role as founder and president of Albion Art, Kazumi Arikawa is regarded as the most prominent collector of historical jewels around the globe. Having acquired some of the rarest and most sought-after pieces known to man—from antique carved cameos to a world-renowned tiara collection—the Japanese collector (and former Buddhist monk) is now putting his most exquisite treasures on full display in Divine Jewels, which is co-authored by Diana Scarisbrick, a leading scholar of jewelry history. With 10 themed chapters delving into the history of Arikawa’s most valuable pieces, the collection must be seen to be believed.

The World of David Morris:
The London Jeweler 

Since 1962, David Morris has been crafting some of the finest pieces in the world. The London jewelry house—now run by the son of its namesake founder—is known for utilizing ultra-rare and exotic gemstones in its breathtaking designs, which are celebrated in The World of David Morris. Author Annabel Davidson delivers a colorful, extravagant, and diamond-filled romp as she recounts the storied history of the firm from its inception to present day. She also studies its prominence in pop culture: In addition to appearing in four James Bond films and adorning royal families around the world, the company counts Elizabeth Taylor as one of its most famous clients of all time. 

Pennisi Collection:
Three Centuries of High Jewelry 

Over 300 years’ worth of showstopping pieces are showcased in Pennisi Collection, which marks the 50th anniversary of the family-run antique jewelry shop in Milan. Written by architect and professor of jewelry design Alba Cappellieri, it chronicles the styles and trends that dominated the high jewelry realm from 1750 through 1950, from the Grand Tour era’s micromosaic masterpieces and Marie Antoinette’s diamond aigrettes, all the way through Art Nouveau’s nature-inspired brooches and Art Déco’s geometric bracelets. In paying tribute to history and craftsmanship, the volume also highlights the most opulent pieces that have been worn by royalty and nobility—and it shows why the Pennisi collection remains a favorite among an A-list clientele that includes Miuccia Prada, Madonna, and Rihanna.

Chaumet. Photographers’ Gaze 

A photo retrospective of the high jewelry Maison Chaumet, it goes without saying that this book is eye-catching. Following an introduction by editor and jewelry historian Carol Woolton, Chaumet. Photographers’ Gaze presents a portfolio of the most spectacular editorials and campaigns from the Parisian brand’s archives. Featuring glossy photos taken by Peter Lindberg, Henry Clarke, Mario Testino, and Guy Bourdin—for Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, L’Officiel, and the like—as well as never-before-seen images, the book offers a visual journey through the Maison’s evolution, with additional commentary by French curators Sylvie Lécallier and Flora Triebel.

Tibetan Women’s Jewelry 

In exploring traditional pieces, Tibetan Women’s Jewelry spotlights the underreported cultural history of Central Tibet from the 17th century through the 1950s. Through interviews with the last living Lhasa noblewomen and master goldsmiths, author Lynn Levenberg—who has three decades of research on Buddhist jewelry under her belt—uncovers how different styles of jewels were worn during the time of each Dalai Lama. She also documents the significance of unique headdresses, ear pendants, waist ornaments, and more in the first extensive monograph that, true to its title, is focused solely on Tibetan women’s jewelry.

Marcus & Co.: Three Generations
of New York Jewelers

From 1892 to 1942, Marcus & Co. was responsible for some of New York City’s most coveted Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewels. Beloved among a prestigious clientele for its iconic plique-à-jour enamel pieces, the firm was innovative in both its use of unconventional gemstones and advertising methods (the Fifth Avenue flagship famously embraced the art of the window display early on). In Marcus & Co.: Three Generations of New York Jewelers, curator Beth Carver Wees and professor Sheila Barron Smithie recall the successes and tragedies of founder Herman Marcus and his family, culminating in the sale of the company—which once rivaled Tiffany & Co.—to the department store Gimbels.