Marion Fasel is a jewelry historian and author of several books on twentieth-century jewelry. She is the founder of the online jewelry magazine The Adventurine. In 2018 Fasel was the recipient of the GEM Award for Media Excellence and the Jewelry Champion Award from Town & Country magazine.
"The subtitle to Beautiful Creatures is Jewelry Inspired by The
Animal Kingdom, but prepare yourself to see some of the most
spectacular jewelry ever produced whose jumping off point was
anything from a simple scallop shell or butterfly to some of the
most incredible jungle inhabitants...The images are staggering,
with accompanying text that offers you as much as you need to know
as well as baiting you to want to see these pieces in the flesh, so
to speak... This is a book for the jewelry aficionado as well for
those who might have a passing interest in everything from
ornithology to entomology to herpetology to batrachology to simple
seashells. In other words, there are few creatures that have not
been memorialized by these créateurs and incredibly gifted and
skilled craftsmen. Get in line, wait for the opening of the exhibit
at the Museum of Natural History, and get lost in the grandiosity
of it all. In the meantime, you can be teased with the jaw dropping
content of this book." — NEW YORK JOURNAL OF BOOKS
"Founder of the online jewelry magazine The Adventurine, Marion
Fasel is a jewelry historian and author. Her latest book, Beautiful
Creatures: Jewelry Inspired by the Animal Kingdom, just dropped,
and spectacular beasts transformed into sparkling treasures?
Thrilling. Marion took the time out of her busy book-release
schedule to answer our jewelry fan questions."
— MEETTHEJEWELERS.COM
"From Cartier’s iconic panthers to Bulgari’s snakes and JAR’s
butterflies, some of the most imaginative designs by the world’s
great jewelry houses and artisans take inspiration from the animal
kingdom, creating spectacular objects dripping with precious stones
to conjure wearable art. Beautiful Creatures: Jewelry Inspired by
the Animal Kingdom depicts some of the most spectacular beasts ever
transformed into sparkling treasures..." — ANTIQUES AND THE ARTS
WEEKLY
"Beautiful Creatures by Marion Fasel is smaller than the typical
coffee table book, which means it’s more portable and affordable
too. But still utterly gorgeous: this would make a fantastic gift
for a jewelry lover or animal aficionado in your life."
— DIAMONDS IN THE LIBRARY.COM
"Fasel showcases the incredible creativity and diversity of
animal-themed jewels and takes us through the history of influences
and cultural shifts of the last 150 years....This menagerie of
precious creatures is organised into the different habitats in
which they dwell and is peppered with amusing and insightful gems
of jewellery knowledge." — THEJEWELLERYEDITOR.COM
"Beastly Bling: Jewelry in the shape of an animal often comes with
extra meanings, writes historian Marion Fasel in her new book
“Beautiful Creatures: Jewelry Inspired by the Animal Kingdom”
(Rizzoli Electa). When Prince Albert got engaged to Queen Victoria
in 1839, he gave her a gold engagement ring in the form of a
circling snake, to symbolize everlasting love. This set off a
snake-jewelry fad, illustrated in the book by a circa-1850 French
snake bracelet made of emeralds, diamonds, silver and gold, with
pink sapphires for the eyes. Animal jewelry can also carry a
political charge. In the early 20th century, American suffragists
were nicknamed Iron Butterflies in honor of their determination,
and many wore small butterfly pins to signal their support of the
movement. More frivolous highlights among the book’s 120 pieces are
a starfish designed by Salvador Dalí and a zebra bracelet
from American designer David Webb, who also made pieces that look
like lions, fish and tortoises. A brooch in the form of a
jellyfish, made of moonstones, sapphires, diamonds, gold and
platinum, was designed by Tiffany’s Jean Schlumberger to help
heiress and art collector Bunny Mellon recover from a jellyfish
sting in 1967." —WALL STREET JOURNAL
"Admirers of Marion Fasel’s The Adventurine have plenty to enjoy in
her newest book, a knowing look at the animal kingdom depicted in
gemstones and gold. In this friendly, intelligent romp through
creatures that crawl, swim and fly, Marion pays homage to
many-a-gilded creatures from renowned houses such as Cartier and
Schlumberger, as well as anonymous makers throughout history. This
darling book was done in association with New York’s American
Museum of Natural History to mark the refurbished Allison and
Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals. Marion’s choices are
smart and fun, and include many of jewelry’s most iconic
creatures." —NATURAL DIAMOND COUNCIL
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