If Jewels Could Talk

by Carol Woolton

A treasure trove of forgotten stories about jewels throughout history by internationally renowned jewellery expert, Carol Woolton. 

If Jewels Could Links Through Time delves into the history, cultural significance and eclectic trivia of jewellery. As a jewellery historian, jewellery editor at British Vogue and now podcast host, Carol Woolton is uniquely qualified to take us on a whistlestop tour through history via seven items of hoops, rings, beads, charms, brooches, cuffs and head ornaments. 

Weaving in examples from cultures around the world, Carol will uncover fascinating 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 gift for any jewellery lover, If Jewels Could Talk shines a light on all that glitters and more. 

Genres: Nonfiction

285 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2024

Reviews

[Rosemary Standeven]

I have just finished an online course with the V&A on the History of Jewellery, and thought this book would be a great complement to that. It was. The online course went mainly era by era (Late antiquity – Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, 19th century, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modern) with talks on men’s jewellery, style icons, types of materials and methods used. While this book focussed on types of jewellery: hoops, rings, beads, charms/amulets, brooches, cuffs, head ornaments. A chapter on each, with their history, and significances. The chapter on beads was especially interesting – they have an extremely long history, dating back to prehistory.
One thing I really missed with reading an audio book, was the lack of pictures. But, the wealth of information provided (almost) made up for that.
The author was also the narrator on the audio book, which I thought was a mistake. I appreciate wanting to read out your own words, but unfortunately, Carol Woolton was not a fluent narrator, and a number of words she gave unusual pronunciations. So, I tended to get annoyed a bit.
But, the sheer volume of fascinating information more than made up for any problems I had with the narration.
Highly recommended – but try a written book instead of the audio.

[Samantha Garrad]

I really enjoyed this and the authors writing style was gorgeous to read. I would have liked the pictures next to the corresponding piece of jewellery and a few more pictures

[Linda Hill]

A non-fiction book looking at seven kinds of jewellery.

I’m going to say at the outset that I think the title If Jewels Could Talk: Seven Secret Histories is a complete misnomer! Whilst the book is divided into seven sections covering jewellery from hoops to head ornaments, it is far, far more than that might suggest. This is a real cornucopia of history, culture, myth, legend and vicarious travel. If Jewels Could Talk might have a focus on jewellery but it is fascinating for many other reasons too.

It’s actually quite hard to review If Jewels Could Talk without merely regurgitating the wonderful factual information between its pages, but that would be like telling the plot for fiction and is in danger of spoiling discovering the contents for yourself. What it is possible to say is that the underpinning thread of If Jewels Could Talk is the connections and identity made through wearing jewellery. It might be to belong, to illustrate status or wealth, to act as protection or to suggest our personalities, but what Carol Woolton presents so sensitively is the need for human connection. And when she considers so-called environmentally friendly lab created jewels, QR codes, or the future of technology in jewellery making, there is still the message that jewellery helps us define ourselves – both to others and to our own hearts. It seems ridiculous that a whirlwind tour of seven kinds of jewellery can leave the reader feeling slightly emotional, but I found If Jewels Could Talk remarkably touching as well as engaging.

Whether a reader’s interest is in the world of fashion from discovering the Cartier anti-occupation brooches of the second world war through an Elton John style party, or in civilisations across the globe and in discovering the Egyptians were the first to create fake jewels, If Jewels Could Talk is a book with something for every reader presented in an erudite but accessible tone that is a joy to read. That said, I won’t be wearing jewellery containing a slug design any time soon!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading If Jewels Could Talk as it is authoritative, informative and hugely entertaining. I think it’d make the perfect gift for a jewellery lover who otherwise seems to have everything.

[Kalinda]

Usually I like an already existing review, but as there are no 3-star reviews for this book, here’s my first review ever.

There are many interesting pieces of information in this book. However, much of the information is in the vein of xyz famous person had xyz famous piece of jewelry made with xyz precious stones. Sometimes there’s a discussion of how this sparked a broader trend. Or perhaps the message the jewelry owner might be trying to send. For older pieces of jewelry, there’s much more conjecture at play. We only really find the jewelry of the wealthy.

This gives the book the feeling of being a recitation of facts. There’s not much to pull you in. The author also throws in a couple jabs at younger generations usage/thoughts on jewelry that really seem out of place and distracting.

TLDR: Good tidbits, not engaging.

[Clarissa Casagrande]

I feel like I made a mistake by listening to this book as an audiobook instead of reading it as a book...

Nevertheless, as a jewelry history enthusiast this was a lovely and informative read, I just wanted even more! I understand that this was meant as an overhaul of jewelry history and the roots of the most historically present styles and pieces, but it felt like a shame when the Roman empire was mentioned only once when talking about wedding bands and engagement rings. (The lore is so much more diverse than what can be put into a singular sentence).

If you're a casual jewelry hobbyist and it's your first time reading about the historical significance of the most common designs, this might be a wonderful read. As a long time enthusiast? Take it as a revision of what you most likely already know.

[booksbydorothea]

4.0 stars
STRONG recommend

I learned a lot about jewelry and fashion by listening to this book. But, I would have learned even more if I spoke "fashion and jewelry", but, unfortunately, I don't.

The book was organized with a chapter for each of the seven types of jewelry broken down with sub-chapters for each of the various types. This made it so easy to follow.

The author thoroughly and completely researched this book. It was an incredible amount of work and I appreciate it.

I just was lost at times. But, I just went with it and enjoyed this book.

For a more detailed review, check out my blog - booksbydorothea:
https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/...

[Anna]

A lovely uplifting book from someone who is clearly very passionate about jewellery and all it represents. I liked the bite sized historical storytelling throughout, such as how rings used to be a way for women to communicate in a time when they were not allowed to speak, the role of poison rings in history prior to arsenic testing, and the discovery of a single carnelian bead traced from India to the Derbyshire. I also liked the authors moral discussions throughout. I only wish there had been more discussion about neckalces. This book for me is comparable to Poseiden’s Steed by Helen Scales (about sea horses) in terms of making an intimidating topic very digestable, and getting the reader as fascinated and protective of the topic as much as the authors themselves.

[Wild Waters]

If you love jewels, arts and craftsmanship and history, you will like this book a lot. I really enjoyed the exploration of jewellery types in connection with their origins, meanings in different cultures and throughout history, sprinkled with interesting stories of special pieces of jewellery, celebrities and royalty to mundane fashion trends.
From Queen Victoria's tiara collections, over Native American headdress to ancient Egyptian arm cuffs; from Madame Pompadour learning how to carve cameos and gem stones, over India's maharadjas keeping 2 major jewellery makers and their work shops busy for months, to Chinese exchanging their gold for Jade, a stone harder than steel and prone to protect and bring prosperity to the wearer. I learnt a lot.

[Agape F.H.]

To me, the writing style was kinda dull with some exceptions and I would have appreciated more in-depth information on the historical side, even on the craft of jewellery, and none about jewellery while COVID happened/in modern times. My mind was blocked when I saw there was a special part for the PLASTIC beans. Perhaps I just had different expectations for this book. I really wanted to like it and to find it interesting, as 1) documentation and 2) the meaning of objects is of great importance to me, a writer myself, but I guess I was wrong picking up this book, at this time.

[Reader]

As our reviewers have said a ‘cornucopia’ of information about jewellery through time packed with historical vignettes and geological facts.
I learnt a lot.
I now appreciate more the older pieces I possess with their obvious ancestral connections. And the author emphasises these connections almost entirely in a happy way : very little about historical violence as jewellery( with one or two exceptions )connects mostly to times of peace and happiness.

[Lubica]

This book focuses on different types of jewellery and how and why (and by whom) they have been worn - probably unsurprising for a text written by the Vogue jewellery editor. The author doesn't stray far from the British cultural scene, so don't expect a world history. It probably works better in print, as I feel good images would help the story. I listened to it on audio, and it was pleasant but completely forgettable.

[Jennifer Loschiavo]

Loved this!!!! Very passionate and knowledgable. Well researched. Fantastic history. Well rounded and great range of information. Wonderful read. Highly recommend.

[Cassidy]

A few interesting bits and facts but kinda boring overall

[Dex]

Some great, interesting tidbits. Audiobook was excessively diverting. Loved hearing this woman go between primly giving historical facts and quoting modern rappers.

[I Drink Ink]

I really, really enjoyed this. I wish there had been more pictures of the jewellery spoken about.

[Brooke Harper]

I love carol and I loved this book - had a lot of interesting facts and led me to many new paths of research …. Her podcast is fire as well

[Mariana]

this is a review of the audiobook - monotone, no spark nor passion regarding the subject

[Barbara T.]

Interesting book. I read the paperback, which would have benefitted from an index, a glossary and colored photographs. Based on a podcast by the jewelry editor of British Vogue

[Marissa Black]

This was a really interesting look at how the past influences the jewelry of today. And also how pieces of necessity in the past are now just for show. As a fan of history and working in jewelry it really made for an interesting learning experience.