Jewels & Jewellery (V&A)

Jewels and Jewellery surveys splendid early medieval and Renaissance pieces and superb examples of Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and 21st-century jewellery. Exquisitely detailed photography reveals both rare and precious stones as well as the elaborate techniques of the jeweller’s craft such as chasing, enamelling and cameo. Among the ‘star’ pieces are the diamond and sapphire coronet designed by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria, and the Papillon ring by London jeweller G, donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2018 by Beyoncé, alongside a multitude of dazzling rings, brooches, earrings and tiaras. Clare Phillips considers the history of Western jewellery in three parts, first exploring the materials used by jewellers, then turning to the development of styles in jewellery from the Middle Ages to today, before examining the ways in which jewellery has been hallmarked, distributed and worn over recent centuries. Showcasing pieces by Cartier, Tiffany and Liberty, this beautiful volume is the ultimate guide to the history of Western jewellery.