MARTHE LE VAN

More artists make necklaces than any other form of jewelry—and these pieces are among the most exquisite ever created. Selected from over 5,000 entries, they range from unique chokers to artful collars. Some showcase precious metals and gems, while others use more unusual materials, including plastic, wood, paper, and glass. They're forged, cast, and woven, and have surface embellishments that run the gamut from inlay to enameling. And the variety is simply astonishing: Classic bejeweled chains appear next to avant-garde felted wool constructions. Some of the eye-catching, full-color images feature enlightening quotes from the creators themselves. Jewelers, students, collectors, and anyone who loves beautiful objects will treasure this extensive collection—the largest of its kind.

Never before has such an extensive and beautiful collection of brooches been assembled, or photographed to such perfection. Marjorie Simon, a distinguished presence in the jewelry field, chose the pieces, and every one features the fine craftsmanship of a top contemporary jeweler. The breathtaking and provocative styles range from traditional to very avant-garde, and the brooches come not only in gold, silver, copper, and wire, but also in glass, porcelain, paper, and other more unusual materials. They're forged, soldered, chased, and cast, and surface embellishments run the gamut from enamel and metal foils to patinas and inlay. In some cases, detail images and artist's comments accompany the full-size photos. Jewelers, students, collectors, and anyone who loves exquisite items will appreciate the amazing diversity on display here.

What awesome craftsmanship appears throughout this unique volume—the zenith of an art that marries the world's most exceptional gems with exquisitely-honed metal designs. Approximately forty of the world's top jewelers present expertly-fashioned settings that embrace a diversity of styles and techniques, including pavé, channel, invisible, gypsy, wire, and tension. Christoph Krähenmann's creations display a fabulous fusion of Swiss artisanship and American ingenuity, old world elegance and contemporary chic. Paula Crevoshay's jewelry focuses on the way gems make light tangible; she is considered by many to be one of the finest colorists today. And Kent Raible finds his inspiration in the opulent, intricate gold work of antiquity. Whether encrusted with diamonds or emphasizing just one glimmering stone, all these bejeweled pieces are simply stunning.

Diverse, extensive, and incredibly beautiful, this awe-inspiring collection features the most magnificent rings ever. With designs that range from the traditional to the very avant-garde, each of the 1,000 examples is an exceptional work of art, finely crafted by the best contemporary jewelers. Rob Jackson mixes antique industrial elements (a 100-year-old wrought iron nail) with radiant 20-karat gold and a glowing ruby for a dynamic visual contrast. Tomomi Arat's collection, Treasure from Under the Sea, captures the exoticism of ocean life: he uses pearls, enamel, and sand to create rings that look as if they were chiseled directly out of a coral reef. Among the prestigious artisans represented: Arline M. Fisch, Michael Zobel, Katja Prins, Paul Preston, and Bruce Metcalf.