Jewels and the woman: The romance, magic and art of feminine adornment

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

69046

Title

Jewels and the woman: The romance, magic and art of feminine adornment

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Explore the romance, magic, and art of feminine adornment through the lens of precious stones. This vintage guide details the history of jewelry, the significance of birthstones, and the etiquette of wearing gems at White House events, royal coronations, and weddings. It offers timeless advice on selecting pieces that complement bone structure and personality, celebrating the enduring value of jewels as investments and symbols of beauty.

Summary up to 500 words

Marianne Ostier's 'Jewels and the Woman' serves as both a historical archive and a practical manual for feminine adornment. The text begins by establishing the custom of jewelers stamping hallmarks and credits various institutions for illustrations. Ostier categorizes women into 'tailored,' 'petite,' and 'sophisticated' types, advising that jewelry selection must first consider bone structure and face contour. Heavy bones require heavier pieces to balance the appearance, while petite frames suit light, airy settings. The book emphasizes that the wearer is the most permanent aspect of a setting, urging readers to 'know thyself' before choosing a stone. The narrative delves into the history of earclips, noting their evolution from hidden under hair to essential style accessories. Ostier traces the history of earrings from ancient Ur and Pharaoh Tutankhamen's tomb to Roman men and Elizabethan dandiprats, highlighting that while men once wore them, women have consistently used them to enhance beauty. The text provides specific protocols for wearing jewelry at significant occasions. At the White House, guests must balance dignity with distinction; for luncheons, gold with diamonds or pearls is appropriate, while cocktail parties allow for multicolored stones. At the President's formal dinner, diamond jewelry is mandatory to match the occasion's gravity. On ocean voyages, women act as ambassadors, representing their lands with moderation and good taste. The book outlines strict etiquette for meeting royalty and attending coronations, warning untitled women against wearing tiaras to avoid appearing undemocratic. For coronations, attire must be defined by regulations, typically restricting untitled guests to diamonds and precious stones. The bridal day is reserved for white jewelry, with specific instructions on transferring engagement rings and avoiding watches. Bridesmaids should blend into the bride's pattern, wearing simple pins or earclips, while the mother of the bride may wear more elaborate, colorful pieces to symbolize tradition and family unity. Ostier recounts the stories of famous diamonds, including the Blue Tavernier, the Hope Diamond, the Great Table, and the Cullinan. She details the Cullinan's discovery in 1905, its cutting into nine major gems, and the Great Star of Africa's placement on the British sceptre. The Regent and Sancy diamonds are described as having survived the French Revolution, with the Regent eventually resting in the Louvre. The text explains the four C's of diamond value: weight, clarity, color, and cut, noting that colorless diamonds are most responsive to light. Ultimately, the book argues that while nature gives few women perfect features, jewels are the oldest and most proven help to beauty, offering an investment that holds its fire across centuries.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/69046.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg69046.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-06 21:47 UTC

Categories

• Jewelry