Inside the Jewelry Box (Identification and Values)

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Summary: Wonderfully Usable and Readable Jewelry Book
Review: Ann Pitman shows the depth of her knowlege in this book. She covers areas and designers that are left out by other jewelry identification and pricing books. On top of that the book is very readable. The stories that Ann tells makes you feel like you are right there with her while she is shopping and researching the jewelry she is writing about. So many identification books are heavy on the pictures and light on the reading material. While this books has excellent pictures the educational and entertaining text makes this a "must buy".

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Summary: Beautiful and Informative Book About Vintage Jewelry
Review: Ann Pitman's first book is not only a feast for the eyes with it's beautiful photography and charming page design, it is also a great read, packed with interesting tidbits and details. I particularly liked the informal way "Inside the Jewelry Box" is written and enjoyed the personal remarks and memories of the author. I was amazed by the amount of jewelry shown in this book! It is loaded with hundreds upon hundreds of color photos that a collector can use to learn more about what to search for when buying for personal collections or re-sale. I also really enjoyed the section on web sites that sell vintage jewelry on the internet and am having a blast visiting every single one of them! Whether you are a seasoned collector or just starting to learn about vintage jewelry, I think this book will become a favorite resource. If you love vintage jewelry, this book is for you!

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Summary: Must-Read for Jewelry Lovers
Review: As a fellow author and freelance writer, I appreciate all the effort and research Ann Pitman puts into her work. Ann touches on topics of great interest to jewelry collectors and anyone who wants to learn more about beautiful costume jewelry, including information on designers not covered in other books. The photos are a feast for the eyes as well. Great gift for yourself, or anyone you know who likes vintage collectibles!

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Summary: "Must Have" Resource for the Costume Jewelry Collector
Review: Fabulous resource for the casual collector to the experienced dealer. Covers a wide variety of lesser-known jewelry makers, complete with gorgeous photos showcasing each line. Best of all, has pictures of old advertisements complimented by the actual jewelry advertised. The list of resources in the back is quite helpful to those wanting to buy or learn more but not knowing where to start. Buy this book and broaden your knowledge of costume jewelry - you will be a smarter buyer and more informed seller.

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Summary: Happiness is being the author of this book
Review: This is one of the most fun vintage costume jewelry books you can have in your reference library. It features 1,053 full color clear, concise photos, including some with back views of a selection of the jewelry, SO important in learning about vintage costume jewelry. Claudette, Volupte' and Calvaire get extensive coverage, something no other book in this category has ever covered. Many other companies are included, such as Juliana, Les Bernard, Mazer Bros., Hattie Carnegie and Hobe' and more. Values on the jewelry pictured go from $10.00 to $2,000.00 so there is something here to please every collector or dealer. One chapter features 35 of the best current websites offering vintage costume jewelry, including some with extensive reference materials such as ads and patent information. There is a chapter featuring some contemporary jewelry sure to become future sought after vintage jewelry. The chapter with vintage ads shows some that have not been publicly seen since they first appeared in the 1940's or 1950's. I know you will love it and be glad you added it to your reference library.


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Summary: "Inside the Jewelry Box" does put you inside a Jewelry Box
Review: This work has a wealth of information and photographs, often featuring little known designers, demonstrating how much fun collecting costume jewelry can be. Ann gives collectors a realistic idea of current market trends and prices, describes the proper care, and repair of your treasures, while giving helpful hints on how to avoid fakes and reproductions.

She includes many ads from vintage magazines which is such a delight for collectors when they see their treasures as they were originally presented.

Her personal manner of writing adds to the flavor and tells you that you've found a new friend to help you find those perfect treasures.