Book excerpt: "The term 'costume jewelry' was coined in the twentieth century for the use of non-precious metals and jewels for human adornment. This illustrated book surveys the exquisite range of costume jewelry produced by haute couture fashion houses, a subject until now overlooked by both historians and fashion cognoscenti alike. It showcases the extraordinary diversity and exceptional craftsmanship of the jewelry in hundreds of beautifully reproduced pieces from such fashion houses as Chanel, Courreges, Yves Saint Laurent and Lanvin."--BOOK JACKET.