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This New Podcast Is a Must-Listen for Jewelry Lovers
British Vogue editor and jewelry historian Carol Woolton views pop culture through a jewelry lens.
London—Jewelry historian, author, and editor Carol Woolton has a new title: podcaster.
The British Vogue and Tatler contributing jewelry editor of more than two decades and author of five jewelry books launched “If Jewels Could Talk with Carol Woolton” earlier this year.
The podcast uses jewelry as entrée to larger cultural themes, both historic and contemporary.
She said, “I’ll be delving back over four centuries of jewelry history and looking forward to what’s happening next in jewelry design. Jewels are the starting point to discuss past eras, romance, lost fortunes, revolution, precious stones and personal histories.”
With a focus on stories and fascinating characters, “If Jewels Could Talk” kicked off on April 22 with an episode all about jewelry in Hollywood.
Woolton talked about the glamorous jewelry of the 1950s with Victoria Brynner, daughter of Academy Award-winning “The King and I” actor Yul Brynner, and celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, who caters to clients like the Kardashians.
“Jewelry links to design, art, film and fashion,” said Woolton. “It plays a role in our cultural and emotional lives. Jewelry is the most interesting thing we wear because it tells a story about us and the times in which we live.
“Why someone chooses a piece of jewelry is far more telling about them than anything else they wear. It acts as a glittering identifier, linking us to the past and future. I’ve never met a stone or a jewel that doesn’t have something to say.”
Other season one episodes see Woolton chat with an eclectic array of jewelry experts and lovers.
Woolton talks with “Bridgerton” costumer designer Ellen Mirojnick and jewelry and prop designer Lorenzo Mancianti on early 19th century jewelry and the escapist fantasy that is the popular Netflix show.
Woolton hosts “Bling Empire” star and jewelry lover Christine Chiu for a chat on jewelry as a social signifier.
One episode explores all things “All That Glitters” with jewelry designer judges Solange Azagury Partridge and Shaun Leane, as well as comedian and show host Katherine Ryan.
Jewelry academic and prolific author Diana Scarisbrick joins the podcast to talk about jewelry’s cultural, social, and political significance.
Stephen Webster and Dr. Jeffrey Post, curator of gems and minerals at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, speak about the many superstitions surrounding gems.
Lastly, Sotheby’s Frank Everett and Louis Vuitton Creative Director of Jewelry Francesca Amfitheatrof speak on the topic of jewelry worn by First Ladies in the White House.
“If Jewels Could Talk with Carol Woolton” is available wherever podcasts are streamed, including on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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