THE CHARM OF CHARMS

From antique shops to such upscale stores as Tiffany and Cartier, from flea markets to the chic design houses of Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel, charms are making a grand reappearance on the fashion scene. Drawn to these tiny treasures for their ability to express elements of the wearer's personality, today's charm lovers are using them to adorn everything from bracelets and necklaces to dog collars and diaper pins.

In The Charm of Charms, photographer Jade Albert and writer Ki Hackney tell the fascinating story of this ever-popular jewelry item. The stunning color photographs provide an up-close and personal view of hundreds of cherished charmed jewels, including pieces belonging to Claudette Colbert, Joan Crawford, the Duchess of Windsor, Mariah Carey, and Mary J. Blige among other celebrities. The intriguing stories behind these beloved trinkets are told in the lively, informative text, which also covers the history of charms and amulets from prehistory to the present. Combining up-to-the-minute trendiness with nostalgic glamour, this gorgeous volume will appeal to fashion and jewelry enthusiasts both young and old. AUTHOR BIO: Jade Albert's work has appeared in Vogue, Time, and Parents magazines, and in advertising campaigns for Target, Polaroid, Sony, and other companies. She was the photographer of Cindy Crawford's book, About Face (2001). Ki Hackney is the coauthor of People and Pearls: The Magic Endures.

Inspired by the comeback of charms on the fashion scene and by childhood memories of ornamenting their own bracelets, Hackney and Albert have combined their creative talents to share the significance and magical history behind these accessories. For 30,000 years, people have worn charms to protect against evil spirits, recognize family ancestry and, of course, accessorize. In the book's beautiful color photos, Albert places the bracelets and trinkets against clever backdrops, displaying a golden bee perched atop a velvety pink rose or a four-leaf clover placed amid a spoonful of Lucky Charms cereal. Next to the portraits of jewelry makers and collectors donning their favorite pieces, Hackney tells the stories behind famous charm wearers like Jackie Kennedy and fashion designer Betsey Johnson. The book also displays treasures of other charm aficionados, like artist Marilla Palmer Zaremba, whose 19 bracelets include silver charms of landmarks like the Empire State Building and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Whether displaying a love for travel, intimate family memories or a lifetime of military service, charms can be a unique form of personal expression, and this eye-catching volume, which is suitable for both jewelry makers and jewelry lovers, will charm readers into starting a collection of their own.
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