Roberto & Carla Ginelli BrunialtiAmerican Costume Jewelry: Art & Industry, 1935-1950, N-Z

I agree with a review I read earlier here that said this is more of a coffee table book than a reference. It has nice photos, and if you read the text, there is some good and knowledgeable information. If you collect or resell costume jewelry, it will help you to recognize specific pieces that are pictured, and give them the label of "book piece." But what I really wanted, and have yet to find, is a book on costume jewelry that will be truly helpful in identifying unsigned pieces and in assigning an approximate date to pieces, and also in learning something about the less famous companies. This book dedicates a lot of space to Trifari, which is OK. Trifari jewelry is wonderful. But it's also really easy to identify, because it is signed, and because of other online resources, such as design patents. I wanted help with "mystery" pieces. This isn't that book.

I recently received both books (A-M and N-Z) in this series and they are truly an outstanding set of books! I also own Brunialti's "Tribute To America" and "American Costume Jewelry 1935-1950" books but this series with newly updated and researched information along with 300 new photos is a collector's dream! Besides glorious photos, it provides patent information, detailed descriptions, along with any advertisement information these pieces were featured in. Anyone familiar with Brunialti's books, know they are not pricing value guides, but informative books designed to showcase the most highly sought-after collectible jewelry desired by a beginning collector to a seasoned experienced collector. Any true collector will appreciate having these books in their reference library.

This 2nd volume of the two book set by Brunalti could almost be called a Tribute to Trifari. Granted that Trifari was second only to Coro in production and is highly collected, but Mr. Brunalti dedicated 100 pages to them while ignoring companies like Napier. But this book is a must for anyone collecting or dealing in vintage costume jewelry. It has become the 'Resource' quoted to show authenticity. Mr. Brunalti did thorough research, showing patents along with the finished pieces, leaving no doubt as to which company produced each piece. One section at the end of the book covers all Jelly Bellies, or any Metal + Lucite jewelry that might possibly fall into that category. A smaller section shows posters from WWII and the jewelry inspired by our National pride. While I'm a little disappointed at the limited number of companies covered, the depth of material is excellent. Overall, I consider it money well-spent.

I purchased this series a few years ago and still use it today. The book displays beautiful period jewelry and well researched. This series is necessary for any jeweler or craftsperson; designer of fashion; professor or student - a must have for you library.

Unbelievable that no review that i see mentions the astonishing racism. Figural jewelry constitutes a tiny proportion of the products made by most of the makers they cover, but these authors go OUT OF THEIR WAY to feature EVERY possible figural piece they can find that is a horrible racist caricature. I mean, I read the reviews, bought both volumes, and i cannot believe my eyes: page after page of the worst of American historical (and i mean, lets be real, present day) racist imagery, and almost nothing else--a scattering of other types of jewelry. I want to throw out my books, but I came here to write this review first. It's 2023 folks. Come on. And before you all jump on to defend the authors, I get that this was written awhile back, and I GET that US jewelry makers did make these racist figural pieces at the time, and as collectors we should all know about them. I don't object to information about them. What I am talking about is the authors obvious and bizarre intent to devote an overwhelming proportion of the book to them, and almost nothing but them. It's gross, and it's problematic, and honestly the books should come with a trigger warning.

My focus is Trifari. The color plates are wonderful and the information was well presented, and more than I have found elsewhere. However, page 139 states that the 1944 butterfly set has two sizes for the brooch. That is not correct. There are 3 brooch sizes --- I have them.

for collectors of vintage costume jewelry thru 1950 this book is a must, the English version of the earlier Brunialti extensively researched volumes in Italian. so much easier to read and enjoy, pictures, patents and ads are great only wish it had price guides. same goes for volume A-M

A beautiful book,with first class histories and illustrations.It has just arrived,so I am still reading.This type of bookcan give a great education to anyone interested in collecting costume jewelry and goodness knows--there is alot to learn.Doran L

Brilliant, very good well produced and informative

Bellissimo. La magnificenza della bigiotteria americana supera i gioielli in oro e pietre vere. Consigliato da chi ama questo genere di arte.

Mon livre est bien arrivé dans les temps .Ce livre est vraiment génial.Il est clair et bourré d'informations. Je recommande!