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Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry: The History and Lore of Gems, Charms, and Talismans
Not yet published
Expected 18 Aug 26272 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 18, 2026
About the author
Amy Azzarito
6 books2 followersFor the past eleven years, Amy Azzarito has been on the forefront of predicting trends in design while also discovering designers and makers and highlighting their crafts. With a degree in the History of Decorative Arts & Design from Parsons and experience lecturing at universities and historical societies across the country, Amy is a sought-after expert on the topic of design history both past and present.
She has contributed to Food52, Refinery29, Brit & Co, Food52, Design Milk and Architectural Digest. She is the former Managing Editor of the trend-setting blog Design*Sponge.
Amy lives in Marin County, California with her husband Mark and their almost four-year-old daughter Stella.
She has contributed to Food52, Refinery29, Brit & Co, Food52, Design Milk and Architectural Digest. She is the former Managing Editor of the trend-setting blog Design*Sponge.
Amy lives in Marin County, California with her husband Mark and their almost four-year-old daughter Stella.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is absolutely amazing; there is so much incredible information included and the photographs and illustrations are amazing. Although I already know quite a bit about the Victorian period and some about the jewelry, most of this was new information. I obviously knew all of the basic information, like the different gemstones and birthstones, things like that. Really loved learning things like where the tradition of where the 'something blue' at the wedding comes from and removing the garter belt at the wedding.
Definitely would recommend this.
Definitely would recommend this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance publication.
This is a beautiful coffee table book on jewelry, organised by symbol. Images like anchors, violets, or minerals and materials like pearl, opal, or ruby all get explained in their own chapter with gorgeous images and rich examples. I disliked that there were no direct sources for claims made in the text (there is a bibliography at the back), but I understand that this is a book to look and wonder at, not a sourcebook for folk beliefs through the ages. Most of the “secret meanings” were also rather straightforward to me, but I don’t think I’m very average in my knowlegde of symbolism.
I was also a bit disappointed that a lot of the examples given aren’t actually Victorian. Of course, it’s nice to see how images have carried meaning throughout the ages, from Egypt to now, but I wanted to see Victorian jewelry, not just “jewelry with symbolic meaning”. Still, I’d be delighted to recieve this as a gift to wonder at.
This is a beautiful coffee table book on jewelry, organised by symbol. Images like anchors, violets, or minerals and materials like pearl, opal, or ruby all get explained in their own chapter with gorgeous images and rich examples. I disliked that there were no direct sources for claims made in the text (there is a bibliography at the back), but I understand that this is a book to look and wonder at, not a sourcebook for folk beliefs through the ages. Most of the “secret meanings” were also rather straightforward to me, but I don’t think I’m very average in my knowlegde of symbolism.
I was also a bit disappointed that a lot of the examples given aren’t actually Victorian. Of course, it’s nice to see how images have carried meaning throughout the ages, from Egypt to now, but I wanted to see Victorian jewelry, not just “jewelry with symbolic meaning”. Still, I’d be delighted to recieve this as a gift to wonder at.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry is a treasure trove of knowledge all about the symbolism and history of Victorian jewelry. As a life long jewelry collector, I absolutely loved this book. Each chapter focused on a different symbol or stone commonly found in 19th century jewelry, describing its history and symbolism- a secret language. The photographs were beautiful, and I can imagine it took a lot of research to source the information contained within these pages. Each chapter is concise but packed with a lot of information, not only exclusive to Victorian meanings.
If you love jewelry or history, or both, I highly recommend reading Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry. It would make a beautiful coffee table book or a helpful guide for artists.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If you love jewelry or history, or both, I highly recommend reading Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry. It would make a beautiful coffee table book or a helpful guide for artists.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this as an e-ARC from Clarkson Potter via NetGalley in exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own.
As a jewelry lover, this book was fun! It’s definitely a way to kill an hour or two. The layout of it is absolutely gorgeous. I’d love to see what it looks like in physical form.
I will admit, there were moments where it felt the topic of the chapter/section didn’t correlate to the 19th century or Victorian period and a painting was placed there just to say ‘nineteenth century’ or inserting a random painting of someone form that century to make it fit the overall “Victorian” theme of the book.
Every chapter begins with the topic and what varying cultures believed regarding that stone or symbol with all the citations in the back. Though it might appear as a coffee-table book, it goes a bit deeper than that and needs sources cited in text.
3.5 stars rounded up.
As a jewelry lover, this book was fun! It’s definitely a way to kill an hour or two. The layout of it is absolutely gorgeous. I’d love to see what it looks like in physical form.
I will admit, there were moments where it felt the topic of the chapter/section didn’t correlate to the 19th century or Victorian period and a painting was placed there just to say ‘nineteenth century’ or inserting a random painting of someone form that century to make it fit the overall “Victorian” theme of the book.
Every chapter begins with the topic and what varying cultures believed regarding that stone or symbol with all the citations in the back. Though it might appear as a coffee-table book, it goes a bit deeper than that and needs sources cited in text.
3.5 stars rounded up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The layout is undeniably gorgeous and the artwork throughout the book is beautiful.
Though, I expected more of an artistic reference style book, but I felt it read more like a dense coffee table book.
I also appreciated the wide range of meanings mentioned, from different religious and cultural beliefs on the jewelry.
However, the book would benefit greatly from clearer sourcing. There’s a lot of meanings about all the jewelry mentioned, but no credits for the direct claims or cultural significance. Given the large number of content additional sources would be of help for those interested in researching these topics further.
Thank you NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for the advanced ebook copy.
Though, I expected more of an artistic reference style book, but I felt it read more like a dense coffee table book.
I also appreciated the wide range of meanings mentioned, from different religious and cultural beliefs on the jewelry.
However, the book would benefit greatly from clearer sourcing. There’s a lot of meanings about all the jewelry mentioned, but no credits for the direct claims or cultural significance. Given the large number of content additional sources would be of help for those interested in researching these topics further.
Thank you NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for the advanced ebook copy.
Read
April 8, 2026I received this book courtesy of Netgalley for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Overview: Jewelry has been around since time immemorable. But, were you ever able to pass encoded messages with it? Mrs. Azzarito thinks so. This book has each charm, gem, and would-be talisman, each listed with their Victorian era meanings. What will we learn? Let's find out.
Dislikes: Louis IX was rude. You don't make it so that you are the only one who can wear a certain gemstone.
Likes: Many of the items were fascinating. Just check out the cats, snakes, and owl sections.
I'm glad that cooler heads prevailed with the hummingbirds.
Conclusion: This was fun. If you are a fan of jewelry or just want to pass on secret messages, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.
Overview: Jewelry has been around since time immemorable. But, were you ever able to pass encoded messages with it? Mrs. Azzarito thinks so. This book has each charm, gem, and would-be talisman, each listed with their Victorian era meanings. What will we learn? Let's find out.
Dislikes: Louis IX was rude. You don't make it so that you are the only one who can wear a certain gemstone.
Likes: Many of the items were fascinating. Just check out the cats, snakes, and owl sections.
I'm glad that cooler heads prevailed with the hummingbirds.
Conclusion: This was fun. If you are a fan of jewelry or just want to pass on secret messages, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a great book for people who like jewelry, history, and trivia — especially if you’re looking for a coffee table book that’s equal parts art and information. There are lovely pictures, and anecdotes cleanly and neatly laid out. It was so easy to read (and quick), and some of the jewelry pieces were ones I hadn’t seen before.
This isn’t for people looking for something in depth as much as for people who, like me, enjoy pretty pictures. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
This isn’t for people looking for something in depth as much as for people who, like me, enjoy pretty pictures. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5/5
This was so cool and interesting to me.
If you like art history, clothing history, or symbolism, this book is for you.
This would make for a really cool and unique coffee table book.
This has wonderful examples: paintings, illustrations, photos and explanations. I really enjoyed looking through them all. This was so well put together.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This was so cool and interesting to me.
If you like art history, clothing history, or symbolism, this book is for you.
This would make for a really cool and unique coffee table book.
This has wonderful examples: paintings, illustrations, photos and explanations. I really enjoyed looking through them all. This was so well put together.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars
This is a great book for any jewelry lover. It features a lot of information and symbolism (not so new to me, but nice nevertheless) and the whole graphics and illustrations are very charming. A bit too much CeeCee jewelry featured here for my tastes (though I do appreciate their pieces).
Overall, this is a lovely book to have and to give and a beautiful introduction to a lot of iconic historical jewels that belonged to this era.
This is a great book for any jewelry lover. It features a lot of information and symbolism (not so new to me, but nice nevertheless) and the whole graphics and illustrations are very charming. A bit too much CeeCee jewelry featured here for my tastes (though I do appreciate their pieces).
Overall, this is a lovely book to have and to give and a beautiful introduction to a lot of iconic historical jewels that belonged to this era.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a beautiful book with pictures of real examples of jewelry and art where the "secret language" was used. The book goes into some of the history behind the symbols and gemstones meanings and is an interesting read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A terrific resource with gorgeous photos, art, and illustrations decoding the meaning behind Victorian jewelry. I could gaze at this book at day and never be bored!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I want to thank NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press | Clarkson Potter for providing me with an ARC.
Books like this are always important for they carry with them the changes of humankind through history.
Author has done good research on the subject and was informative without being tedious.
I want to thank NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press | Clarkson Potter for providing me with an ARC.
Books like this are always important for they carry with them the changes of humankind through history.
Author has done good research on the subject and was informative without being tedious.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews