A comprehensive illustrated survey of the subject by Michael Poynder, who ensures that curious and intriguing details are balnced by sound historical, practical and technical information. At the same time he is at pains to describe and illustrate a comprehensive selection of hundreds of examples from all periods and at all price ranges, relating the number of illustrations directly to the types of jewellery most readily available and the largest number of the many colour plates to the most prolific period of production - the 19th century. The prices given are fully up to date and the text is profusely illustrated in colour and black and white, with detailed captions.