Annotation. Ancient Roman engraved rings, eye miniature love tokens, an Art Deco aquamarine and diamond brooch ...Anne Schofield unlocks the cabinets in her exclusive Sydney antique jewellery shop in Queen Street, Woollahra and reveals the favourite pieces of jewellery she has bought, sold and collected over 50 years. From world-famous designers to eccentric collectors, in this very personal book Australia's best-known antique jewellery expert shares the fascinating stories behind a stunning array of jewellery.

From Margaret of Anjou to Katherine Parr, All the Queen’s Jewels examines the jewellery collections of the ten queen consorts of England between 1445–1548 and investigates the collections of jewels a queen had access to, as well as the varying contexts in which queens used and wore jewels. The jewellery worn by queens reflected both their gender and their status as the first lady of the realm. Jewels were more than decorative adornments; they were an explicit display of wealth, majesty and authority. They were often given to queens by those who wished to seek her favour or influence and were also associated with key moments in their lifecycle. These included courtship and marriage, successfully negotiating childbirth (and thus providing dynastic continuity), and their elevation to queenly status or coronation. This book explores the way that queens acquired jewels, whether via their predecessor, their own commission or through gift giving. It underscores that jewels were a vital tool that enabled queens to shape their identities as consort, and to fashion images of power that could be seen by their households, court and contemporaries. This book is perfect for anyone interested in medieval and Tudor history, queenship, jewellery and the history of material culture.

The Diamond - The Holocaust Diamonds -This is a powerful story based on truth, but names and locales are changed. No one had heard of these diamonds and where they ended up. Exceptionally intriguing and tragic and the ending is interesting. The Sapphire - The Peacocks Eye Quite a saga about a Rajah and one of his many concubines. She has a great fascination with the Peacocks Eye Star Sapphire, steals it, goes on a remarkable journey and the ending is shocking. The Ruby - The Dragon Ruby of Rajah Binoor Most interesting story of the ruby, where it was found, who found it and what happened to it. The ending is delightful. The Amber Trapped in Time A personal story of mine and what I found in a piece of amber. Absolutely fascinating and lovely. A really good fairy tale. The Emerald The Emperors Egg The Emperors Egg belonged to one of the great Emperors of Peru. Where and how it was found and the mystery surrounding its disappearance. Full of adventure and strange customs. The Pearl Spat Tells His Tale Spat, the oyster, tells a wonderful tale about himself and his great pearl. The Opal Black Beauty and Muggereedoo This was the actual story about how one of my teachers in grade school had a beautiful black opal ring. Where it came from and the exciting story of what happened to it makes a charming story. Silver Wandor the Dragon A true story my grandmother told me about the lovely silver dragon centerpiece that was on their dining room table during the Civil War and how her family brought it to Texas from Tennessee, what became of it, and how they survived. Most interesting history and strong characters. Gold A Murder Unsolved The true story of my grandfather and how his death happened in Ely, Nevada in 1907 during the gold strike there. A really good story of the times and circumstances. The Meteorite Star Jewel from the Universe A truly fascinating story of this rock from outer space, its journey, where it landed (near the Great Wall of China), the Chinese family that found it and the luck it brought them, and how I came to have it.

Inspired by memories of her beloved grandmother, photographer and author Alysia Burton Steele -- picture editor on a Pulitzer Prize-winning team -- combines heart-wrenching narrative with poignant photographs of more than 50 female church elders in the Mississippi Delta. These ordinary women lived extraordinary lives under the harshest conditions of the Jim Crow era and during the courageous changes of the Civil Rights Movement. With the help of local pastors, Steele recorded these living witnesses to history and folk ways, and shares the significance of being a Black woman -- child, daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother in Mississippi -- a Jewel of the Delta. From the stand Mrs. Tennie Self took for her marriage to be acknowledged in the phone book, to the life-threatening sacrifice required to vote for the first time, these 50 inspiring portraits are the faces of love and triumph that will teach readers faith and courage in difficult times.

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.