If Jewels Could Talk - by Carol Woolton (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

'Filled with fascinating facts and cultural observations, Woolton engagingly guides the reader through history, making you wish that jewels could in fact talk' - New Statesman

A treasure trove of forgotten stories about jewels throughout history by internationally renowned jewellery expert, Carol Woolton.

If Jewels Could Talk delves into the history, cultural significance and eclectic trivia of jewellery. As a jewellery historian, jewellery editor at British Vogue and now podcast host, Carol Woolton is uniquely qualified to take us on a whistle-stop tour through history via seven items of jewellery: hoops, rings, beads, charms, brooches, cuffs and head ornaments.

Weaving in examples from cultures around the world, Carol will uncover fascinating stories about Viking silver torques, Imperial jade in China, sixteenth-century Posy rings, organic gems, snake motifs, Roman cameo carving, Hindu wedding jewellery, Etruscan gold, Ancient Greek coins, piercings, Wedding pigs in China, tiaras and anklets - to name but a few.

A beautiful and illuminating gift for any jewellery lover, If Jewels Could Talk shines a light on all that glitters and more.

'Carol Woolton is an absolute encyclopaedia on the subject of jewellery, but never lets her knowledge bog her down. This book is filled with fascinating stories about the things we all wear everyday, as well as a cultural history of adornment through the ages' - Alexandra Shulman

'Well researched and full of quirky insights, it is a fascinating read that any lover of jewels will adore' - the Sun

'Such an interesting and romantic read for any jewellery lover. I loved it' - Theo Fennell

'A sparkling field guide for any jewellery aficionado and beyond [...] Carol Woolton takes us on a compelling and tender trip through the looking glass and history' - Sophie Dahl

Review Quotes

'A sparkling field guide for any jewellery aficionado and beyond, If Jewels Could Talk also reflects how since the beginning, the human experience has expressed itself by what was worn, when. Love, loss, power, bravery, subversion and endurance - Carol Woolton takes us on a compelling and tender trip through the looking glass and history'--Sophie Dahl

'Carol Woolton has written a beautiful and comprehensive book about jewellery. A gorgeous book replete with historical anecdotes and ancient superstitions of jewels as talismans, protection or declarations of love, If Jewels Could Talk is a must for any serious jewellery collector.'--Jennifer Tilly

'Carol Woolton is an absolute encyclopaedia on the subject of jewellery, but never lets her knowledge bog her down. This book is filled with fascinating stories about the things we all wear everyday, as well as a cultural history of adornment through the ages'--Alexandra Shulman

'Filled with fascinating facts and cultural observations, Woolton engagingly guides the reader through history, making you wish that jewels could in fact talk'-- "New Statesman"

'If jewels could, indeed, talk, I don't think they could be more eloquent than Carol Woolton is on their behalf. Such an interesting and romantic read for any jewellery lover. I loved it.'--Theo Fennell

'No one could be better qualified than Carol Woolton to write this splendid work. Her extraordinary depth of knowledge, fine writing skills, and above all her ability - as the former jewellery editor of British Vogue magazine for two decades - to give her book a truly global setting, all come together to produce a truly remarkable work of both scholarship and fable. If jewels could talk, they could not do so more eloquently than the Countess of Woolton writes.'--Andrew Roberts, author of 'Churchill: Walking with Destiny'

'Well researched and full of quirky insights, it is a fascinating read that any lover of jewels will adore'-- "Sun"