Beyond the Jewellery Box: The Must-Read Jewellery Books of 2025
As the festive season draws near, there’s no better gift for a jewellery lover than a beautiful book devoted to their favourite subject—something to savour slowly, page by page, long after the decorations come down. Whether you’re shopping for a collector, a design devotee or indulging yourself, these new releases promise hours of inspiration and discovery.
From volumes to accompany landmark exhibitions to globetrotting design monographs and specialist gemstone studies, this year’s selection spans every corner of the jewellery world. Consider this your glittering guide to the best new jewellery books of 2025.
Cartier by Helen Molesworth & Rachel Garrahan (V&A Publishing)
Published in conjunction with the V&A’s blockbuster Cartier exhibition, which ran for much of the year, this supremely elegant volume traces the maison’s evolution through more than 150 creations drawn from the museum, the Royal Collection, Cartier’s own holdings and private collections. From the Tank watch to the Love bracelet and Trinity ring—pieces so iconic they need no introduction—the book highlights the designs that have come to define the house’s spirit of glamour and wit.
Essays by Vivienne Becker, Judy Rudoe and other specialists broaden the context, while Helen Molesworth and Rachel Garrahan bring deep curatorial insight to Cartier’s connection with royalty, Hollywood and modern culture. A definitive keepsake for anyone captivated by the legend of “the Jeweller of Kings and the King of Jewellers”, this book is authoritative and, more importantly, immensely enjoyable.
The Cartier Book is a sumptuous journey through 150 of the Maison's most iconic creations
A special commission for Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, created by Cartier in 1928, the Patiala necklace features in the new coffee table book
Two extraordinary bespoke emerald creations are showcased: the 1932 necklace crafted for Lady Granard on the left, and on the right, a 2017 tiara inspired by her iconic jewel
The Cartier coffee table book is the definitive keepsake for anyone captivated by the legend of “the Jeweller of Kings and the King of Jewellers”
With every turn of the page, the stories behind Cartier’s most iconic designs are revealed, from the Crash timepiece, left, to the Maison’s elegant, stalking panther
The Jewelry Book — Edited by Melanie Grant (Phaidon)
Positioned as a new jewellery encyclopedia for the modern age, The Jewelry Book gathers 300 names who have left an indelible mark on jewellery over the last two centuries. A sweeping A-Z survey, it places celebrated houses, including Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels, alongside contemporary designers such as James de Givenchy, Bina Goenka and Theodoros Savopoulo, master artisans, collectors, cutters, stylists and cultural icons.
Melanie Grant and an international advisory board whittled down a longlist of 700 to get to the final selection, creating an international, era-spanning portrait of jewellery’s creative landscape. With striking photography and a metallic cover that echoes a faceted diamond, it’s both informative and visually rich, offering a definitive reference for anyone with a passion for jewellery’s past, present and ever-evolving future.
The Jewelry Book chronicles some of jewellery's most celebrated designers and wearers, including Diana Vreeland in her signature cuffs, photographed by Priscilla Rattazzi in 1982
The Jewelry Book is designed as a gorgeous object in its own right, with a cover featuring a faceted deboss diamond
It is a stunning and authoritative collection of 300 of jewellery’s greatest names spanning more than 200 years, including Messika and Mikimoto
Contemporary designers like Anna Hu and Capucine Huguet feature alongside historic Maisons such as Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels
Hemmerle also takes its place in the spotlight, alongside a remarkable 16 carat diamond bracelet crafted by the house in 2023 from iron and white gold
Bvlgari is of course present, represented by the Emerald Glory high jewellery necklace from the 2022 Eden: The Garden of Wonders collection
As is Daniela Villegas and her Koala, Sisters, Earthworm and Cosquilleo rings in 18k gold, precious gems and ornamental stones
Denmark’s Monies Jewelry is also included among the 300 brands, designers and jewellery visionaries, alongside an image of its oversized jewels crafted from all-natural materials
Radiance and Reverie: Jewels from the Collection of Neil Lane by Emily Stoehrer & Diane C. Wright (Rizzoli Electa)
Created to accompany the Toledo Museum of Art’s exhibition, this handsome book reveals the depth of Neil Lane’s private collection—one of the most notable in the United States. Lane, a Hollywood jeweller known for his red-carpet creations and long-standing role on The Bachelor, has spent decades acquiring more than 150 jewels, many once worn by stars such as Mae West, Joan Crawford, Madonna and Zoe Saldaña.
Curators Emily Stoehrer and Diane C. Wright chart the evolution of these pieces through European revival styles, early American design and Hollywood’s golden era, supported by essays from Marion Fasel, Mayukh Sen and Claudine Seroussi Bretagne. Taken together, the images and words reveal a world where craftsmanship, cultural history and Hollywood glamour meet. The result is a vivid portrait of jewellery’s place in style, society and on screen.
Radiance and Reverie: Jewels from the Collection of Neil Lane is published by Rizzoli Electa
Merle Oberon wears a gold-and-citrine bow bracelet by Paul Flato—now part of the Collection of Neil Lane—in a publicity still with Burgess Meredith and Melvyn Douglas for That Uncertain Feeling (1941). Photo: Everett Collection
Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lawrence and Jennifer Garner all wear jewels from the Collection of Neil Lane
Lucien Janvier Bat necklace, circa 1900, in silver, gold, pearl and plique-à-jour enamel, from the Collection of Neil Lane. Photograph © Lendon Flanagan
Aquamarine and diamond brooch owned by Mae West, from the Collection of Neil Lane. Photograph © Lendon Flanagan
Lucien Hirtz for Boucheron Bow tie brooch in platinum, onyx, coral, jade, lapis lazuli and diamonds, exhibited at the 1925 Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes in Paris, from the Collection of Neil Lane. Photograph © Lendon Flanagan
Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana — Smith, Ringsrud, Riondet, Panczer & Merolle
A landmark bilingual volume in English and Spanish, Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana offers one of the most comprehensive contemporary studies of Colombia’s most celebrated gemstone. Centred on the regions of Muzo, Chivor and Coscuez, the book draws on extensive fieldwork to chart the emerald’s path from geological origin to finished gem.
Historical sections explore early Indigenous use, the colonial era and the emerald’s spread to Europe and Asia, while contemporary chapters examine today’s market and emerging mining areas such as Las Pavas.
Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana offers one of the most comprehensive contemporary studies of Colombia’s most celebrated gemstone
A scientific section developed with the Gübelin Gem Lab offers fascinating insight into the inner world of these stones, while contributions from GemGenève, Christie’s and Wilensky Minerals expand the book’s perspectives. For readers seeking a deeper understanding of Colombian emeralds, this volume is an invaluable resource.
For readers seeking a deeper understanding of Colombian emeralds, this new volume is an invaluable resource
The book draws on extensive fieldwork to chart the emerald’s path from geological origin to finished gem
Contemporary chapters examine today’s market and emerging mining areas such as Las Pavas
The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery by Beth Bernstein (ACC Art Books)
Published by ACC Art Books, Beth Bernstein’s latest volume offers an engaging, decade-by-decade journey through the defining styles of mid- to late-20th-century jewellery. Moving from the bold geometry of the 1930s Art Deco movement to the confident glamour of the early 1980s, the book charts how social change, cinema and shifting attitudes towards fashion shaped the evolution of vintage design.
Bernstein’s background as a jewellery historian, collector and lifelong lover of classic film brings a narrative richness to each chapter, revealing how jewellery not only reflected its era but helped to shape the identities of the women who wore it.
Beth Bernstein’s latest volume offers a decade-by-decade journey through the defining styles of mid- to late-20th-century jewellery
Through vivid photography and clear, accessible commentary, the book highlights the materials, motifs and craftsmanship that define each decade. Renowned maisons such as Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Verdura, David Webb and Aldo Cipullo sit alongside pioneering designers including Suzanne Belperron, Jeanne Toussaint, Elsa Peretti, Angela Cummings and Marina B, illustrating how both established houses and visionary individuals left their mark on the century.
As well as a visual and historical guide, Bernstein offers practical insight for today’s collectors—from where to buy vintage pieces to what to look for, how to style them and how to care for them. Expert viewpoints are woven throughout, lending further depth for readers seeking to build their own collections. A companion to The Modern Guide to Antique Jewellery, this beautifully illustrated 216-page book is an inspiring and informative resource for vintage devotees and newcomers alike.
Suzanne Belperron Art Deco yellow and white diamond clips in gold and platinum. Courtesy of Pat Saling Jewelry Collection
Verdura gold, yellow diamond, blue and green enamel ‘Lotus Leaves’ necklace, 1964. © Verdura
Cartier convertible ‘Night and Day’ diamond brooch, circa 1945. The petals rotate to transform from plain gold to diamond-encrusted, allowing the wearer to transition their jewellery seamlessly from day to evening wear. Courtesy of MS Rau
Set of three diamond ‘Onda’ necklaces, Marina B, circa 1980. © Sotheby’s
Bulgari ‘Serpenti’ bracelet-watch in gold with green enamel, emeralds and diamonds, 1969. © Bulgari Heritage Collection. Photo: Barrella – Studio Orizzonte Gallery
18K gold and platinum ‘Zebra’ bracelet, decorated with black and white enamel and set with cabochon rubies and brilliant-cut diamonds, by David Webb, circa 1960s. Photograph courtesy of David Webb
14k gold medallion with enamel, celebrating Neil Armstrong’s famous Moon Walk and planting of the American flag on the Moon’s surface. Courtesy of Circa 1700
Journey of a Jeweler: Silvia Furmanovich by Silvia Furmanovich and Stellene Volandes (Rizzoli)
Journey of a Jeweler: Silvia Furmanovich offers an immersive glimpse into the ever-curious mind of the Brazilian designer. Travelling from the Amazon to Japan, India, Central Asia and beyond, she seeks out artisans whose skills—from marquetry and miniature painting to bamboo weaving and other centuries-old techniques—inspire her distinctive approach to jewellery making.
The book unfolds in chapters filled with sketches, process photographs and glimpses of the notebooks she carries on her travels. Once-of-a-kind jewellery sits alongside sculptural handbags, furniture and objets d’art, all illustrating her flair for combining precious gems with rare woods, colour and craft techniques drawn from across the globe.
Journey of a Jeweler: Silvia Furmanovich is published by Rizzoli
Stellene Volandes’ foreword positions Furmanovich within a broader conversation about cultural craft, but the spirit of the book is entirely her own: vibrant, experimental and deeply connected to place. The result is a transportive portrait of a designer who turns journeys into art and ancient traditions into new forms of beauty.
The façade of Mir-i Arab Madrasa in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, at night. Silvia’s Silk Road Collection was inspired by her month-long trek across the country
Silk tapestry earrings set in yellow gold with tanzanites, pink tourmalines and diamonds, from the Silk Road Collection
Silvia Furmanovich Butterfly clutch in wood marquetry with yellow gold and blue topaz
A glimpse inside one of the notebooks Silvia Furmanovich carries on her travels
Silvia Furmanovich Orchid jewellery box in wood marquetry, agate and brass
Silvia Furmanovich Orchid brooch in wood marquetry set in yellow gold with gilded wood, a chocolate pearl and diamonds
Rubies from Greenland: A Field Gemology Travelogue by Vincent Pardieu
The first instalment in Vincent Pardieu’s planned 10-volume series on major gem-producing regions, Rubies from Greenland offers a first-hand account of one of the world’s most intriguing modern mining stories. Pardieu—one of the industry’s best-known field gemmologists, with more than 25 years spent documenting mines around the world—traces the life of the Aappaluttoq ruby mine from its opening in 2017 to its closure in 2022, drawing on 11 research visits and close collaboration with the project’s geologists, miners, scientists and jewellers.
Combining field observations, personal photography and contributions from engineers, geologists, lapidaries and designers involved in the project, Pardieu traces the rubies’ journey from remote Arctic landscapes to finished jewellery
Vincent Pardieu with the first instalment in his planned 10-volume series on major gem-producing regions
Produced with the support of AIGS in Bangkok, the book blends travel, gemmology and documentation in a clear, accessible format that will appeal to collectors and readers interested in the realities of modern coloured-stone mining.
One of the industry’s best-known field gemmologists, Pardieu traces the life of the Aappaluttoq ruby mine from its opening in 2017 to its closure in 2022 within the book’s pages
Together, these new jewellery books offer a chance to slow down, savour beautiful stories and lose yourself in a subject that is close to all our hearts. Whether you’re drawn to heritage stories, gemstone lore or the imagination of today’s designers, each title brings its own kind of joy. We hope you enjoy discovering them as much as we loved curating this list.
WORDS
Katerina Perez is a jewellery insider, journalist and brand consultant with more than 15 years’ experience in the jewellery sector. Paris-based, Katerina has worked as a freelance journalist and content editor since 2011, writing articles for international publications. To share her jewellery knowledge and expertise, Katerina founded this website and launched her @katerina_perez Instagram in 2013.
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