The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery - by Beth Bernstein (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery takes the reader on a tour from the 1930s through to the early 1980s, showing how to identify gemstones, materials, styles and much more.

The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery takes the reader on a tour of the finest jewelry from the Art Deco glamor of the 1930s through the Retro pre-war and war years, the cocktail suburban lifestyle of the '50s, the rebellious '60s, the glitter and glamor of the '70s disco era and, finally, to new 'career-woman' style of the '80s. Through each period, jewelry historian and collector Beth Bernstein shows how to identify the most popular gemstones, materials, styles and collectible pieces on the market today, as well as divulging invaluable information from dealers and experts.

The book also features stars from Hollywood's Golden Era and beyond, and the renowned jewelers who designed for them and became legends in their own right. Whether you are a novice or consummate collector, a starter vintage dealer, shop owner, burgeoning historian or student, this book is a must-read for all enthusiasts of vintage jewelry.

About the Author

Beth Bernstein is a jewellery historian, author, journalist and one-time jewelry designer. Her books include Jewelry's Shining Stars: The Next Generation (ACC Art Books 2024), The Modern Guide to Antique Jewellery (ACC Art Books, 2022), If These Jewels Could Talk (ACC Art Books, 2015), Jewelry's Shining Stars (Finepoints, 2013), and her memoir, My Charmed Life (Penguin, 2012). She has contributed to many magazines, journals and publications, including D'Origin Magazine, Forbes online, Palm Beach Illustrated, Jewelry Connoisseur, Rapaport Magazine, The Jewellery Editor (online), Accent Magazine, Elite Traveler, Departures and Four Seasons Magazine, among many others. She has worked as a senior editor for two leading national jewelry magazines, and lectures at, organizes and participates in seminars at jewelry fairs and educational events.