Coffee Table Gifts: The Perfect Jewellery Books for Festive Treats

December 20, 2021

By Katerina Perez

9 min read

What do you get the jewellery lover whose collection is already brimming with tantalising treasures? Or, on the flip side, what do you buy for someone dreaming of their own suite of jewels? Books are a wonderful route to jewellery escapism and make excellent holiday gifts for that special someone. Here are some novelties from recent months as well as some must-haves in my opinion, which would be welcome additions to the wrapped presents under my Christmas tree!

There is a great tradition of jewellery coffee table books that combine photography, storytelling, history and aesthetics to make jewellery lovers, like myself, wish for more tables, more shelves and more space to store them all. Here is a selection of recently released books that will soon demand precious inches of space in your home or office.

A trio of jewellery coffee table books that would make excellent festive gifts in 2021

A trio of jewellery coffee table books that would make excellent festive gifts in 2021

Antonio Seijo

Spanish jeweller Antonio Seijo is both an artist and a storyteller, which is why the medium of books feels like such a natural partnership for his jewellery. His self-titled work contains a selection of 17 jewellery pieces, each one with a tale that spans mythology, philosophy and history. Imagine for a moment stepping inside the mind of a high jeweller and following the threads of inspiration that transform raw materials into finished pieces… this is what you will find here.

Antonio Seijo displays his self-titled book alongside a selection of jewels that feature in its pages

Antonio Seijo displays his self-titled book alongside a selection of jewels that feature in its pages

 Spanish jeweller Antonio Seijo's self-titled jewellery book

Spanish jeweller Antonio Seijo's self-titled jewellery book

 Antonio Seijo flips through the pages of his book that shares the stories behind 17 art jewellery creations

Antonio Seijo flips through the pages of his book that shares the stories behind 17 art jewellery creations

 A sneak peek inside Antonio Seijo's self titled art jewellery book

A sneak peek inside Antonio Seijo's self titled art jewellery book

Winged Beauty – The Butterfly Jewellery Art of Wallace Chan

The creations of Wallace Chan never cease to amaze and now they are immortalised in book form, including over 100 images and previously unseen artworks. Inside, there are 50 pieces of butterfly jewellery that are enhanced with the designer’s own musings on the winged creature, which is a symbol of love and immortality in Chinese culture.

Art jeweller Wallace Chan holding one of his butterfly creations

Art jeweller Wallace Chan holding one of his butterfly creations

 The front cover of Winged Beauty - The Butterfly Jewellery Art of Wallace Chan

The front cover of Winged Beauty - The Butterfly Jewellery Art of Wallace Chan

 A closer look at the beautiful photographs in the Winged Beauty book by Wallace Chan

A closer look at the beautiful photographs in the Winged Beauty book by Wallace Chan

 The Heart of the Milky Way butterfly brooch by Wallace Chan

The Heart of the Milky Way butterfly brooch by Wallace Chan

 The pages of Wallace Chan's new book - Winged Beauty

The pages of Wallace Chan's new book - Winged Beauty

 The Grace of Life butterfly brooch by Wallace Chan

The Grace of Life butterfly brooch by Wallace Chan

 An inside look at the beautiful photographs in Winged Beauty - a new book by Chinese jewellery artist, Wallace Chan

An inside look at the beautiful photographs in Winged Beauty - a new book by Chinese jewellery artist, Wallace Chan

Diamonds: Diamond Stories by the Natural Diamond Council

For the true diamond aficionado, this book created by the Natural Diamond Council consists of 260 pages and over 200 illustrations, photographs and stories that span legendary stones, everyday jewels and contemporary diamond style. You may also find your favourite designer nestled within the pages, including the likes of Jessica McCormack, Vanleles, Nikos Koulis, Anita Ko and Fernando Jorge.

The front cover of Diamonds by the Natural Diamond Council

The front cover of Diamonds by the Natural Diamond Council

 De Beers jewellery pieces featured in the pages of Diamonds by the Natural Diamond Council

De Beers jewellery pieces featured in the pages of Diamonds by the Natural Diamond Council

 This new book by the Natural Diamond Council tells stories of famous diamonds and contemporary jewellers

This new book by the Natural Diamond Council tells stories of famous diamonds and contemporary jewellers

Sapphire by Joanna Hardy

Following on from her previously published books Emerald and Ruby, Sapphire is the third in Joanna Hardy’s trilogy that dives into the history, lore and significance of this king of gemstones. Titled “A Celebration of Colour,” Sapphire displays jewels worn by notable figures like Elizabeth Taylor, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Windsor, as well as pieces by heritage and contemporary jewellery maisons and designer names.

The front cover of Sapphire by Joanna Hardy

The front cover of Sapphire by Joanna Hardy

 Sapphire by Joanna Hardy traces the history of this important gemstone

Sapphire by Joanna Hardy traces the history of this important gemstone

 A closer look at the pages of Sapphire by Joanna Hardy

A closer look at the pages of Sapphire by Joanna Hardy

 Jewellery pieces shine through the pages of a new book by Joanna Hardy, Sapphire

Jewellery pieces shine through the pages of a new book by Joanna Hardy, Sapphire

Black Opal, Only from Australia by Imagem

Tackling the mysteries and misconceptions of black opal is the raison d’être behind this book by French opal specialist, Imagem. Within its pages are countless photographs of some of the most remarkable black opal specimens, including bold flashes of colour and unique patterns that elevate the material into the ‘priceless’ category. You will also discover black opal jewellery creations by some of the world’s most inventive jewellers.

The front cover of Black Opal, Only From Australia by Imagem

The front cover of Black Opal, Only From Australia by Imagem

 Black opal jewellery creations in the book Black Opal, Only From Australia by Imagem

Black opal jewellery creations in the book Black Opal, Only From Australia by Imagem

 An inside look at Black Opal, Only From Australia by Imagem

An inside look at Black Opal, Only From Australia by Imagem

 Black opal jewellery pieces that feature in Imagem's latest book, Black Opal, Only From Australia

Black opal jewellery pieces that feature in Imagem's latest book, Black Opal, Only From Australia

 Tracing the journey of opal from mine to finished jewellery piece in Black Opal, Only From Australia by Imagem

Tracing the journey of opal from mine to finished jewellery piece in Black Opal, Only From Australia by Imagem

Buccellati: A Century of Timeless Beauty

Although we are focusing on festive gifting here, I would be remiss not to mention this new book about Buccellati that is due to be released in January 2022. For a New Year present, this book traces the Milanese brand’s history since 1919 and perfectly demonstrates its recognisable signature style, including techniques of engraving and chiselling that have set it apart for decades. Nestled amongst the pictures are meticulously researched chapters, making this a must-have for anyone with Buccellati at the top of their wish list.

The front cover of a new book about Italian brand, Buccellati

The front cover of a new book about Italian brand, Buccellati

 A new book about Buccellati delves into the brand's history and craftsmanship

A new book about Buccellati delves into the brand's history and craftsmanship

 Iconic Buccellati jewellery creations feature in the pages of a new coffee table book

Iconic Buccellati jewellery creations feature in the pages of a new coffee table book

 A closer look at the pages of a new book about Buccellati

A closer look at the pages of a new book about Buccellati

 Model and still life imagery features in a new book titled Buccellati, which is dedicated to the Italian jewellery brand

Model and still life imagery features in a new book titled Buccellati, which is dedicated to the Italian jewellery brand

 The Buccellati book delves into methods of craftsmanship used by the house

The Buccellati book delves into methods of craftsmanship used by the house

 Spreads inside a new book about Italian jeweller, Buccellati

Spreads inside a new book about Italian jeweller, Buccellati

The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane

Created to celebrate 20 years of Dior Joaillerie, this book showcases the breathtaking creations of Dior Joaillerie’s Artistic Director Victoire de Castellane. One can call it through an illustrated dictionary as it features around 60 words decrypted by Olivier Gabet, director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. The text is accompanied by Victoire’s own Illustrations as well as 300 photographs showcasing Dior’s iconic jewellery collections to further enrich the stories.

A new book dedicated to Dior Joaillerie titled The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane

A new book dedicated to Dior Joaillerie titled The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane

 The presentation box that houses The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane

The presentation box that houses The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane

 This new book charts the creations of Dior Joaillerie’s Artistic Director Victoire de Castellane

This new book charts the creations of Dior Joaillerie’s Artistic Director Victoire de Castellane

 Dior Joaillerie creations featured in a new book, The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane

Dior Joaillerie creations featured in a new book, The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane

 A closer look at the pages of The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane

A closer look at the pages of The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane

 The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane celebrates 20 years of Dior Joaillerie

The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane celebrates 20 years of Dior Joaillerie

 Dior Joaillerie pieces in the pages of a new book dedicated to the artistry of Victoire de Castellane

Dior Joaillerie pieces in the pages of a new book dedicated to the artistry of Victoire de Castellane

 Further pages in a new book called The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane

Further pages in a new book called The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane

These coffee table books expand the universe of jewellery for anyone whose interest in diamonds, gemstones, artistry and innovation is more than just a passing fancy. I hope you find yourself perusing the pages of one of these tomes come January 2022.

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