A thoroughly researched look at the jewellery of the time, offering good basic knowledge for the beginner and new facts for the expertNew and/or little-known facts about the techniques, styles and materials of the ageThe only book solely on the Georgian period, and the largest ever catalogue of the diverse range of eighteenth century jewelleryInteresting portraits of characters of the period and their influence on the jewels of the time, with some contemporary gossip, outrageous cartoons and period fashion tipsEmphasis on jewellery that has been on the open market in recent years, rather than just unobtainable museum pieces Georgian Jewellery is a celebration of the quality and style of the eighteenth century and of the endless ingenuity in design and workmanship that produced such a wealth of fabulous and wearable pieces of jewellery.Heavy academic tomes have already been written about the period, so this book illuminates the subject in a more colourful and accessible way. Much disparate information about the jewellery has been gathered together and the period is brought alive by portraits and character sketches of famous Georgians in their finery, fashion tips, gossip, and some rather outrageous cartoons of the time, as well as interesting newly discovered facts.Some might think that Georgian jewellery is the stuff of museums or safe-deposit boxes, but since many of the pieces pictured here have been on the market in the last few years, it is hoped this book will encourage people to realise this lovely jewellery is as beautiful an adornment today as it was over two hundred years ago. Information is given on how to recognise Georgian jewellery, buy it and repair it and there are tips on how to distinguish the real thing from the plethora of reproduction jewellery on the market today. Ginny Redington Dawes, a life-long collector of antique jewellery, has written two previous books on the subject - The Bakelite Jewellery Book and Victorian Jewellery. Staff writer for MGM Screengems Music, she is also a successful composer; she wrote the book, music and lyrics for the off-Broadway show The Talk of the Town and has won a CLEO award for music for advertising. Olivia Collings became fascinated by the seventeenth century alchemist and jeweller Christopher Pinchbeck at an early age and bought her first piece of antique jewellery aged seven. She trained in an exclusive Bond Street antique jewellery shop before starting her own business in 1975 and has continued learning about and dealing in Georgian jewellery ever since. She is now an independent jewellery consultant.