Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry
“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

“The Jewelry Book,” is an expansive exploration of more than 300 contributors to jewelry, spanning more than 200 years, celebrating renowned and under-the-radar designers alike.
Works by Wallace Chan, Elsa Schiaparelli, Suzanne Belperron, and Bhagat appear alongside trailblazers such as Maōri jade carver Joel Marsters and Winifred Mason Chenet, a pioneering Black metalsmith and designer.
The book offers insight into the artists, creative houses, collectors, and style icons who have played a role in defining jewelry.

It highlights historic houses such as Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Chaumet, Harry Winston, and Chopard, while also touching on Chanel pearls and Hemmerle jewels and notable pieces worn by the Notorious B.I.G. and Greta Garbo.
The book shines a light on the figures that have influenced and reimagined the pieces they wear, such as Beyoncé’s collaborative work with big players such as Tiffany & Co. and Lorraine Schwartz, while also championing independent jewelry makers like Lorraine West.

The book also acknowledges sustainability movements in the industry backed by millennials and Gen Z.
It explores how the new generation of jewelers “break the rules” and pay homage to jewelry traditions.
“The Jewelry Book” also highlights ways that unorthodox materials are appearing in high jewelry.
Examples include black sand at Boucheron led by Creative Director Claire Choisne, and wood, steel, and pebbles at Taffin directed by James de Givenchy, as well as John Moore’s creations of gargantuan neckpieces made out of Morphit—clay mixed with recycled paper—and Joe Sheehan’s chains made out of argillite, basalt, and graywacke.
In addition, the book showcases the work of artists like Louise Bourgeois and Salvador Dalí, as well as archival illustrations, campaigns, and editorial photos by Irving Penn, Toni Frissell, Juergen Teller, and Roxanne Lowit among others.
The book was edited by Melanie Grant, who authored the book “Coveted” in 2020.
The London-based writer has work in The Times, the Financial Times, Independent, Guardian, the BBC, the Economist, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Tatler, and The New York Times.
She has also curated for Sotheby’s as well as Kensington Palace. She served as executive director for the Responsible Jewellery Council from 2023 to 2025 where she continues to consult.
“Jewelry is perhaps the most enduring expression of freedom that exists in material culture…” Grant writes in "The Jewelry Book” introduction.
The book's contents have been curated by industry experts and writers including Sarah Royce-Greensill at The Telegraph; Anthony DeMarco and Kate Matthams at Forbes; Ranyechi Udemezue at British Vogue; Hannah Silver at Wallpaper; Coco Romack at T: New York Times Style Magazine; Felix Bischof at The Week Fashion; Tanya Dukes, regular contributor to The New York Times; and curator Emily Stoehrer at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
Entries are accompanied by large-scale images that showcase a diverse array of jewelry, from diamond jewels by Moussaieff and Graff to an 18-karat gold ring hand-carved by Haroldo Burle Marx.
Additional texts explaining each entry’s relevance within the broader context of jewelry are also included, as well as a directory with a selected list of galleries, institutions, and other jewelry organizations and destinations.
“The Jewelry Book,” published by Phaidon, is “the most comprehensive A-to-Z guide to the glorious, yet often secret, world of jewelry today,” the publishing company said.
Its release is set for September, priced at $79.95.
The Latest

Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.


While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.

As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.