Curating
NEW YORK, NY [July 7, 2025] – In the autumn of 2025, Sotheby’s and Phaidon in collaboration with renowned jewelry writer Melanie Grant, staged a landmark selling exhibition celebrating the extraordinary skill, imagination, and craftmanship of high jewelry. On view and open to the public in New York from 10-21 September, The Jewelry Book: An A to Z Exhibition, featured approximately 50 exceptional pieces by some of the world’s most talented jewelry designers and established houses featured in Phaidon’s The Jewelry Book — the single most authoritative survey of jewelry published to date, and the latest in Phaidon’s acclaimed series following The Art Book, The Fashion Book, and Photography Book.
The Jewelry Book ($79.95 US / $100.00 CAN, on sale September 2025), edited by Melanie Grant, author of Phaidon’s bestselling Coveted (2020), is a stunning and authoritative A-to-Z guide to 300 of jewelry’s greatest names spanning more than 200 years. From Chanel pearls and iron jewels at Hemmerle set with flawless diamonds to the Notorious B.I.G. and Greta Garbo, this book offers indispensable insight into the artists, creative houses, and style icons who have defined jewelry. Eminent creatives such as Wallace Chan, Elsa Schiaparelli, Suzanne Belperron, and Bhagat appear alongside such lesser-known trailblazers such as Maōri jade carver Joel Marsters and Winifred Mason Chenet, a pioneering metalsmith and designer. And, of course, no book on jewelry would be complete without pieces from the great heritage houses: Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Chaumet, Harry Winston, and Chopard.
Melanie Grant and Sotheby’s Vice Chairman of Jewelry, Frank Everett, brought the book’s vision to life through a selling exhibition. Visitors experienced masterpieces by innovative contemporary designers such as Hemmerle, Taffin, Bina Goenka, Jacqueline Rabun, Daniela Villegas, Ten Thousand Things, and Michele Oka Doner, alongside iconic pieces from legendary houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, David Webb, among others. On view at Sotheby’s New York galleries at 1334 York Avenue from 10-21 September 2025, a select number of the pieces in the show were available for private sale.
Frank Everett, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman of Jewelry, stated:
“Sotheby’s is thrilled to partner with Melanie Grant on another exciting project. The Jewelry Book is the long overdue and highly anticipated addition to Phaidon’s iconic series, and Melanie brings to it her own special perspective on the jewelry world.”
Melanie Grant, author and curator, commented:
“It is an honor to curate a living rendition from such a seminal work as The Jewelry Book—a project that took 3 years to complete and reflects the contributions of a host of advisors, experts, and writers. Spanning over 200 years, the book—and exhibition—reveal the transformative power of jewelry through creativity, ultimately to freedom.”
Deb Aaronson, Publisher of Phaidon, noted:
“For 100 years, Phaidon has published the world’s most important art books. With the publication of The Jewelry Book by Melanie Grant, we celebrate the art of jewelry as never before. We are grateful to Sotheby’s for hosting an exhibition bringing this important book to life.”
PRESS CONTACTS
Phaidon: Alex Coumbis, Publicity Director, acoumbis@phaidon.com
Sotheby’s: Amanda Bass, Vice President of Luxury Communications, North America, amanda.bass@sothebys.com
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium or overhead premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and overhead premium and art net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.
Images are available upon request
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