Discover a dazzling deep-dive into the history of the world through a totally new lens, as told by the V&A's Senior Jewellery Curator. Includes 16 pages of colour photography showcasing some of the world's most spectacular jewellery. 'A magnificent compendium of everything one could ever want to know about jewels: their symbolism, physical construction, worth and history.' - Spectator 'A sumptuous and sweeping history of humanity's love affair with jewels.' - Vogue 'From Princess Margaret's pearls to the priciest of ...
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Discover a dazzling deep-dive into the history of the world through a totally new lens, as told by the V&A's Senior Jewellery Curator. Includes 16 pages of colour photography showcasing some of the world's most spectacular jewellery. 'A magnificent compendium of everything one could ever want to know about jewels: their symbolism, physical construction, worth and history.' - Spectator 'A sumptuous and sweeping history of humanity's love affair with jewels.' - Vogue 'From Princess Margaret's pearls to the priciest of diamonds, gemmologist Helen Molesworth has seen them all' - Daily Mail You Magazine 'All the jewelry and gem history you've ever wondered about' - Forbes 'What shines through here in Molesworth's deep love of her subject and the tactile joy of wearing such gems' - Mail on Sunday 'This is - fittingly - a gem of a book. Rich descriptions, fascinating histories and, at times, just pure, dazzling bling. A joy to read.' - Tracy Borman, author of Elizabeth's Women, Thomas Cromwell and The Private Lives of the Tudors' ------- Travelling through moments in history and layers of soil and sediment, this is world history as you have never seen it before. This is the story of precious gems, from emeralds and rubies, to sapphires and pearls. Explore their history and geology, as well as their famous owners, from Elizabeth 1 to Elizabeth Taylor, Marie Antoinette to Marilyn Monroe, Coco Chanel to Beyonce. Discover the fragile emerald watch that survived cross-continental journeys and centuries under the floorboards of a London house. Journey back through the generations of women who wore pearls as a signifier of femininity and marvel at the role these glistening objects have played in changing depictions of feminism. Learn of the Burmese warriors who believed so strongly in the connection between rubies and lifeblood that they embedded them into their skin before battle to protect them from harm. In this sumptuous and sweeping history of humanity's love affair with jewels, the V&A's Senior Jewellery Curator, Helen Molesworth, takes you behind the curtain of museums and auction houses, showcasing some of history's most incredible and iconic jewels and the deeply human stories that lie behind them. ------- 'Beautifully written and superbly interesting, Helen Molesworth tells a compelling, global story of gems - their unending allure and continuing impact on human history. - Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, author of The Radical Potter 'Reading Precious is like opening history's treasure chest, to discover a trove of fascinating information.' - Jane Robinson, author of Trailblazer, Hearts and Minds, and Bluestockings
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Add this copy of Precious to cart. $13.23, new condition, Sold by Books2anywhere rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Fairford, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2025 by Transworld.
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PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Add this copy of Precious to cart. $30.08, new condition, Sold by Books2anywhere rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Fairford, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2024 by Transworld.
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PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Add this copy of Precious to cart. $10.31, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2025 by Penguin (Transworld).
Add this copy of Precious: a Fascinating History of the World's Most to cart. $10.94, new condition, Sold by Kennys.ie rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Galway, IRELAND, published 2025 by Penguin (Transworld).
Add this copy of Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time to cart. $11.91, new condition, Sold by GreatBookPricesUK5 rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Castle Donington, DERBYSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2025 by Penguin (Transworld).
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New. B-format paperback. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time to cart. $24.35, new condition, Sold by GreatBookPricesUK5 rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Castle Donington, DERBYSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2024 by Ballantine Books.
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New. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 272 p. Contains: Illustrations. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time to cart. $24.36, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2024 by Ballantine Books.
Add this copy of Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time to cart. $25.51, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2024 by Doubleday.
Add this copy of Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time to cart. $28.12, new condition, Sold by GreatBookPricesUK5 rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Castle Donington, DERBYSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2024 by Doubleday.
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New. Contains: Unspecified. Includes unspecified. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Precious to cart. $31.84, new condition, Sold by Kennys.ie rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Galway, IRELAND, published 2024 by Doubleday.
