IF JEWELS COULD TALK
SEVEN SECRET HISTORIES
Carol Woolton
26th September 2024 | Hardback | £16.99 | Gallery Books
A treasure trove of forgotten stories about jewels throughout history by internationally renowned jewellery expert Carol Woolton
If Jewels Could Talk delves into the history and cultural significance of jewellery, identifying for the first time, the seven pieces of jewellery that link us around the world, from the past into the future.
As a jewellery historian, jewellery editor at British Vogue, and now podcast host, Carol Woolton is uniquely qualified to take readers on a whistlestop tour through the fascinating histories of hoops, rings, beads, charms, brooches, cuffs and head ornaments.
Weaving in examples from cultures around the world, Carol will uncover incredible stories about Viking silver torques, Imperial jade in China, sixteenth-century Posy rings, organic gems, snake motifs, Roman cameo carving, Hindu wedding jewellery, Etruscan gold, Ancient Greek coins, piercings, wedding pigs in China, tiaras and anklets – to name but a few.
A beautiful and illuminating read for any jewellery, history, or culture lover, If Jewels Could Talk shines a light on all that glitters.
Carol Woolton comments: “Whatever time of the earth’s history you were born onto this planet, whatever culture or civilization you were born into, we all essentially wear the same things. While we remain social creatures, jewellery will always provide something for us to hold onto. This book is an acknowledgement of that need.”
If Jewels Could Talk available in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook formats. Click here to purchase.
About the Author
Carol Woolton is a jewellery historian, editor, author, stylist and was jewellery editor at British Vogue for 20 years. She was the first jewellery editor of Tatler magazine and has contributed widely to the likes of the Financial Times, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Daily Telegraph, Air Mail, Town & Country and American Vogue.
Carol has written several books about jewellery including The New Stone Age (2020), Vogue: The Jewellery (2020), Floral Jewels (2014) and Dolce & Gabbana High Jewelry (2023).
Carol curates jewellery exhibitions and hosts If Jewels Could Talk, the podcast she launched in 2020, which is listened to in 149 countries and has reached Number One on Apple podcast charts under fashion.
PRAISE FOR IF JEWELS COULD TALK
“Filled with fascinating stories about the things we all wear everyday” Alexandra Shulman, Former Editor-in-Chief of Vogue
“If jewels could, indeed, talk, I don’t think they could be more eloquent than Carol Woolton is on their behalf. Such an interesting and romantic read for any jewellery lover. I loved it” Theo Fennell, Jewellery Designer
“Reflects how since the beginning, the human experience has expressed itself by what was worn, when. Love, loss, power, bravery, subversion and endurance – Carol Woolton takes us on a compelling and tender trip through the looking glass and history” Sophie Dahl, Author and Model
“Beautiful and comprehensive. . . a gorgeous book replete with historical anecdotes and ancient superstitions of jewels as talismans, protection or declarations of love . . . a must” Jennifer Tilly, Actor
“No one could be better qualified to write this splendid work. Her extraordinary depth of knowledge, fine writing skills, and above all her ability to give her book a truly global setting, all come together to produce a truly remarkable work of both scholarship and fable” Andrew Roberts, Author
