IndependentsAug 20, 2024
Pat Henneberry Releases MemoirTrendsSep 10, 2024
Carol Woolton To Release New Book
The jewelry historian discusses the history and cultural significance of jewelry throughout time and across the globe.
“If Jewels Could Talk” focuses on seven types of jewelry—hoops, rings, beads, charms, brooches, cuffs, and head ornaments.
London—Jewelry historian and British Vogue jewelry editor Carol Woolton has a new book on the history of seven types of jewelry, set to release on Sept. 24.
“If Jewels Could Talk” dives into the cultural significance of jewelry and how seven types of jewelry can link people throughout time and across the globe. They are hoops, rings, beads, charms, brooches, cuffs, and head ornaments.
In the 288-page book, Woolton discusses jewelry as one of humanity’s longest running cultural traditions, the designers who have left a legacy, and what the future of jewelry looks like, among many other topics.
She also provides examples and stories from many different cultures, including Viking silver torques, imperial jade in China, Roman cameo carvings, ancient Greek coins, and many more references.
“Whatever time of the Earth’s history you were born onto this planet, whatever culture or civilization you were born into, we all essentially wear the same things,” said Woolton.
“While we remain social creatures, jewelry will always provide something for us to hold onto. This book is an acknowledgment of that need.”
Woolton was the first jewelry editor of Tatler magazine and has contributed to the Financial Times, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Daily Telegraph, Air Mail, and Town & Country.
Her other books include “The New Stone Age,” “Vogue: The Jewellery,” “Floral Jewels,” and “Dolce & Gabbana High Jewelry.”
Woolton is also a stylist, curator, and host of the “If Jewels Could Talk” podcast.
Related stories will be right here …
“If Jewels Could Talk” dives into the cultural significance of jewelry and how seven types of jewelry can link people throughout time and across the globe. They are hoops, rings, beads, charms, brooches, cuffs, and head ornaments.
In the 288-page book, Woolton discusses jewelry as one of humanity’s longest running cultural traditions, the designers who have left a legacy, and what the future of jewelry looks like, among many other topics.
She also provides examples and stories from many different cultures, including Viking silver torques, imperial jade in China, Roman cameo carvings, ancient Greek coins, and many more references.
“If Jewels Could Talk” by Carol Woolton
“Whatever time of the Earth’s history you were born onto this planet, whatever culture or civilization you were born into, we all essentially wear the same things,” said Woolton.
“While we remain social creatures, jewelry will always provide something for us to hold onto. This book is an acknowledgment of that need.”
Woolton was the first jewelry editor of Tatler magazine and has contributed to the Financial Times, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Daily Telegraph, Air Mail, and Town & Country.
Her other books include “The New Stone Age,” “Vogue: The Jewellery,” “Floral Jewels,” and “Dolce & Gabbana High Jewelry.”
Woolton is also a stylist, curator, and host of the “If Jewels Could Talk” podcast.
Published by Gallery Books, “If Jewels Could Talk” will be available on Sept. 24 as a hardcover book, e-book, and audiobook.
The e-book version is available to pre-order for $15 on Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
The hardcover is available in the U.K. for £19, about $25, on Simon and Schuster.
More on Trends
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
