Choosing jewelry is an art—and here, a leading expert sharpens the eye, illuminates the classics, and reveals the pieces that both surprise and endure.

This treasure-box of a book explores the idea of a jewelry wardrobe: a personal, evolving collection shaped not by rules or trends, but by taste, meaning, and daily life. A jewelry wardrobe is not about owning everything; it is about recognizing which pieces stand the test of time, and which feel unmistakably one’s own.

Celebrating jewels that have shaped style across generations—the shimmer of a Bulgari coin necklace, the assured charm of Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra, the saturated glow of Jean Schlumberger’s paillonné enamel, or the quiet authority of a Cartier Tank watch—the book brings together touchstones of adornment that endure, delight, and express individuality.

Illustrated with more than 350 photographs of works by 80 jewelers, the book spans the Victorian era to the present day. Legendary houses such as Cartier and Tiffany appear alongside influential twentieth-century designers including Verdura, Harry Winston, Aldo Cipullo, and Elsa Peretti, as well as exceptional contemporary makers such as Hemmerle, Taffin, and Nicholas Varney.

Organized by accoutrement—from earrings and necklaces to bracelets and watches—and complemented by a curated list of icons and a concise glossary, this elegant and endlessly engaging book is a modern classic for anyone who loves jewelry—and wants to understand it a little more deeply.

About The Author

Ruth Peltason is an editor, jewelry historian, and lecturer. She writes regularly for Air Mail and Rapaport. Her books include The Art of David Webb, Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry, which made The New York Times Bestseller List, Solange: Jewelry for Chromantics, and Living Jewels: Masterpieces from Nature. Miki Lowe’s illustrations appear regularly in acclaimed magazines such as The New Yorker, on book covers, and across a range of products.