Jewels That Made History

The history of the world--triumphs and tragedies, breakthroughs and breakups--through the iconic jewels that have inspired and influenced since the dawn of time.

From ancient treasures to royal weddings, great heists to the red carpet, this book is a stunning, surprising, and glittering tour of historic turning points and gem-driven drama, delving into the passions and predilections of some of the world's most interesting and extraordinary people.

Starting in the era of Cleopatra and continuing through to contemporary jewelry statements by Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, and Meghan Markle, Stellene Volandes tells the stories of how shiny stones and precious metals have determined empires, inspired expeditions and great crime, and been the communicator of status and ruin since ancient times. Each moment is placed in historic and relevant context, with Volandes drawing engaging parallels between Napoleon's gift to Marie Louise at the birth of their son and the modern push present or the insouciant story behind the brooch Jackie Kennedy famously wore to a 1962 State Dinner with the Shah of Iran. Illustrated with a mix of archival images and gorgeous photography of the jewels, this book is a beautiful, informative, and essential read for history lovers, fashion, celebrity, and pop-culture followers, as well as passionate jewel hounds.

"Is the history of the world written in jewels? Town & Country editor in chief Stellene Volandes takes you on a tour of the world's most historic jewelry moments, from Cleopatra to Jackie Kennedy to Meghan Markle, showing how stones and precious metals have built empires, secured alliances, led to high-stakes drama, inspired extraordinary heists, and even sent coded political messages. Illustrated with archival images and gorgeous photography of the jewels, this book is a gem unto itself, and makes the perfect gift for anyone in your life: jewelry lover, history nerd, or pop-culture vulture."
—TOWN & COUNTRY

"Why she rocks: An esteemed editor and jewelry historian, Stellene runs the show for Town & Country’s Jewelry Awards. Her Instagram is a mix of iconic jewelry moments, wondrous interiors, and her travels discovering the most extraordinary jewels in the world, like when she held the 563-carat sapphire Star of India. And Stellene’s jewelry obsession runs deep: she wrote a juicy, historical book coming out this month called Jewels That Made History: 101 Stones, Myths, and Legends."
— MEETTHEJEWELERS.COM

"If you've obsessively googled the stories behind the Queen's tiaras at least once in your life, you'll appreciate Town & Country Editor-in-Chief Stellene Volandes's Jewels That Made History. The tome showcases iconic jewels from the Cleopatra era all the way to today on celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga." — MARIE CLAIRE.COM 

"Expect intriguing insights, fascinating facts you-can’t-believe-you-didn’t-know and bite-size history lessons fizzing with Volandes’ lively voice and all illustrated with beautiful photography." — THEJEWELLERYEDITOR.COM 

"a stunning, surprising, and glittering tour of historic turning points and gem-driven drama, delving into the passions and predilections of some of the world's most interesting and extraordinary people." Organized chronologically, the book covers an ambitious slate of stories about jewels throughout history, from 1292 B.C. right up to 2019." —THE COURT JEWELLER

"If there were campfire talks about jewelry, Stellene Volandes would be the ringleader of choice. Her enthusiasm and passion for jewelry are well known, and like most of us, she not only wants to peer inside every jewelry box, she wants to know who made what and what was given to whom and when. If that sounds like a whodunit, it’s actually the premise of this merry book, a selection of stories that are bound to charm jewelry fans. It’s a friendly romp through the ages, from 1292 B.C. to the present. Included are stories of betrothals, plunders, heists, revolution and space exploration, and characters from royals to celebrities and newsmakers. Whew! Serve up the egg nog and settle down for a cozy read." —NATURAL DIAMOND COUNCIL

Auteur
Stellene Volandes is an internationally renowned expert in jewelry. In addition to writing about jewelry for Town & Country (where she is also editor in chief), she hosts a series at the 92nd Street Y on jewels and their history. Her first book, Jeweler, was published by Rizzoli in 2016.