Costume Jewelry: A Practical Handbook & Value Guide

Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking photos!
Review: As a newbie in the costume jewelry field, I was at first intimidated by this book. So big, beautiful, and all those names -- Eisenberg, Caviness, Lisner, Weiss -- I never thought I'd get them straight. But Mr. Razazadeh does a phenomenal job of explaining each designer, giving hints on how to care for costume jewelry (boy, did I need that advice), and for presenting the most beautiful photographs of stunning pieces. I learned a great deal from this book. I hope Mr. Razazadeh writes another book soon!

Rating:
Summary: This book is a jewel!
Review: Being new to the world of costume jewelry and collecting, I found this book to be invaluable. The photos and descriptions have helped me identify many pieces that I had difficulty with before. I especially like the section on unmarked pieces. I found six pieces I own on these pages. I recommend this book to anyone who collects or just enjoys costume jewelry.

Rating:
Summary: This book is a jewel!
Review: Being new to the world of costume jewelry and collecting, I found this book to be invaluable. The photos and descriptions have helped me identify many pieces that I had difficulty with before. I especially like the section on unmarked pieces. I found six pieces I own on these pages. I recommend this book to anyone who collects or just enjoys costume jewelry.

Rating:
Summary: A "COSTUME JEWELRY FOOL" REMARKS
Review: I felt Mr R wrote a helpful book for collectors. He did not concentrate on all the "famous names" like Eisenberg, etc. but had something to say about the "lesser knowns" which is what most of us see. Lots of pictures was wonderful, but I wish that the photos had not been so dark-it was hard to see details on some of them. I would still buy this book, however.

Rating:
Summary: Good commentary, poor photos.
Review: Overall, the commentary in this book in wonderful. But the photography leaves something to be desired. Some of the photos are too dark to be very beneficial in identifying the items.
Many are just not up to the quality which one would expect in a publication of this topic. Where's the sparkle in the stones? Why is the metal so dull looking? I'm happy to have the book, but found the photography a big disappointment.

Rating:
Summary: Good commentary, poor photos.
Review: Overall, the commentary in this book in wonderful. But the photography leaves something to be desired. Some of the photos are too dark to be very beneficial in identifying the items.
Many are just not up to the quality which one would expect in a publication of this topic. Where's the sparkle in the stones? Why is the metal so dull looking? I'm happy to have the book, but found the photography a big disappointment.

Rating:
Summary: There are many other better costume jewelry reference books
Review: Pictures and selected jewelry are average. Price guide is inflated and unrealistic. Text adds nothing new to information already available in other books.

Rating:
Summary: Good book for a casual collector
Review: This book provides a short introductory section on cleaning buying selling etc and then write ups on different jewelry companies. The introduction is good for people with little information about caring for jewelry: displaying, cleaning, storing and repairing. It is sometimes humorous, as when Rezazadeh describes the meticulous procedure he goes through to clean his jewelry and then recalls discovering that his wife cleaned her jewelry by scrubbing it with a tooth brush and then blow drying it. There is also a bit about apraising and the supply and demand at work. I doubt that this is a book for dealers, because they presumably already have good resources and knowledge.

The body of the book has short entries on different jewelry companies. About a page is dedicated to each, but there are sometimes two to a page and sometimes four or five pages to a widely spread company. Each company gets a short write up and photo of some jewelry pieces. The photos are good, but obviously not full page. They are enough to oo and ah over. Each photo has a caption describing the jewelry and giving an estimate for price it would cost. Companies are grouped into European and imported depending on where they were located. There are also sections on unmarked jewelry. These are grouped by how they are made (enamel, Austrian crystal, plastic, etc.). Since there is no company these sections have more pictures to text.

If you are into vintage including jewelry then this could be a fun book. Also if you design jewelry then the multitude of pictures here can be a good resource for ideas and inspiration. The pictures are the highlight of this book.

Rating:
Summary: What does Fred say?....
Review: This is the first costume jewelry book I've purchased. I too am a newbie. The book has already proved it's worth! I was able to identify and purchase a Judy Lee set identical! to one in the photos, And at a price consistant w/ what the author recommends. There is a general price guide in the front of the book that I have been able to utilize immediatly (updated in spring 2000). The pieces shown are in the author's personal collection, I find that fact comfoting. I shall purchase other books, but I am glad I made this my first choice! I am always consulting Mr. Rezazedah via his book!

Rating:
Summary: What does Fred say?....
Review: This is the first costume jewelry book I've purchased. I too am a newbie. The book has already proved it's worth! I was able to identify and purchase a Judy Lee set identical! to one in the photos, And at a price consistant w/ what the author recommends. There is a general price guide in the front of the book that I have been able to utilize immediatly (updated in spring 2000). The pieces shown are in the author's personal collection, I find that fact comfoting. I shall purchase other books, but I am glad I made this my first choice! I am always consulting Mr. Rezazedah via his book!