Here are a few of the recent books on contemporary jewelry that caught AJF's eye. (Special thanks to Charon Kransen Arts for providing the bibliographic information and summaries. You can order any of these books by visiting their website.)

TRANSIT - JEWELRY FROM ISRAEL

2012 catalog of an exhibition of contemporary Israeli jewelry from eighteen participants at the jewelry museum in Pforzheim, Germany. Curated by Juergen Eickhoff, the exhibition contains 250 jewelry objects. 176 pages. Full color. 136 illustrations. $38.00

FOURTH EUROPEAN TRIENNIAL FOR CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY

Catalog of the 2011 fourth European triennial of contemporary jewelry that focuses this time on jewelry artists from Belgium, Portugal and Germany. Full color, also in English. $48.00

KLINK - METALL

Small catalog of the Norwegian group with the same name who exhibited during the annual jewelry event in Munich in 2012, showing the latest in Norwegian contemporary jewelry. 58 pages. In English. Full color. $20.00

TERRA NOVA - POLYMER ART AT THE CROSSROADS

This book highlights advances in the use of polymer as an artistic material over the past 30 years and forecasts potential for the future. It also features a group of artists who have simultaneously embraced the medium and found recognition in the larger contemporary craft arena. More than 180 color illustrations. 129 pages. Several interviews. In English. $35.00

SAM THO DUONG - FROZEN - 2011

2011 catalog of this Vietnam born and German educated jeweler whose work reminds of nature as it forms crystals on bark and branches once temperatures reach far below zero degrees celcius. 54 pages. Full color. Also in English. $25.00

SCHMUCK 2012

2012 catalog of this annual jewelry event which takes place during the international craft fair in Munich and which is an important platform of showing the latest in contemporary jewelry. Full color. $35.00

TALENTE 2012

2012 catalog of this annual event which takes place during the international craft fair in Munich and which is an important platform of showing the emerging artist in the latest in contemporary craft like design, textile, jewelry, glass, ceramic etc. Full color. $35.00

MICHAEL BECKER - MOVEMENT AND COLOR

2012 catalog accompanying an exhibition in Munich of the work of the last five years of this Munich based jeweler. In his work he has been integrating more color in the last couple of years, which has added a new element to the usual geometric severity of his work. Full color. 40 pages. Also in English. $38.00

CONTEMPORARY JEWELLERS - INTERVIEWS WITH EUROPEAN ARTISTS

This book offers an essential reference for anyone interested in contemporary European jewelry. Through guided conversations with the major artists today, the author reveals the creative, conceptual and technical working practices which underpin the aesthetic of each practitioner's work. In addition new light is shed on their inspiration, ideas about functionality and the human body. 268 pages. English. Black and white and color plates. $34.95

HELLO ALEXANDRA BAHLMANN

2011 catalog of this Munich based jeweler whose focus for the past 20 years has mainly been on necklaces often made with almost ethereal links and components made of wires with different profiles bent into diverse shapes, resembling fine lace. The catalog accompanied an exhibition. Full color. 66 pages. $35.00

KNITTED, KNOTTED, TWISTED & TWINED: THE JEWELRY OF MARY LEE HU

Long-awaited catalog of the well-known jeweler from the North-west of the United States. The catalog accompanies her 2012 retrospective exhibition at the Bellevue Arts Museum. Hardcover. 150 pages. Full color. $35.00

PETER DE WIT

Catalog accompanying a retrospective exhibition of this Dutch born jewelry artist who is probably the most well known jeweler living in Sweden where he has resided for the past 35 years. In English. Black and white illustrations as well as color illustrations. Interesting essay. 95 pages. $35.00

COLLECT CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY

A selection of truly imaginative makers and pieces includes works to suit all tastes, from the more traditional to the adventurous, providing authoritative answers and expert direction in this hugely exciting market. Contact information for important galleries, museums and art dealers, fairs, events and schools. 208 pages. In English. 200 color illustrations. $21.95

KONRAD MEHUS - STORIES IN JEWELLERY

This is the first monograph on the Norwegian jewelry artist Konrad Mehus, who has held an important position in Norwegian art since the end of the 1960s. His objects significantly stretch our notion what jewelry can be, not just as adornment, but rather a means of communication. 200 pages. 100 color illustrations. In English. $70.00

PETER BAUHUIS - JEWELLERY AND VESSELS - ABECEDARIUM

The work of Peter Bauhuis, jewelry and objects, is characterized by experimenting with the process of casting and melting metals. By playfully oxidizing gold, silver and copper he achieves unexpected colors from white and pale green-yellow to deep orange and dark red. His process results in a lightness that is remarkable for metal. 160 pages. 150 color illustrations. In English. $50.00

ON JEWELRY

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the tendencies and role of contemporary international jewelry art from the 1960s to today, shown with the context of corresponding trends in art and society. It is dedicated to themes such as interdisciplinary collaboration, new means of presentation and contextualisation. A synopsis of what jewelry art is and can be. Written by Liesbeth den Besten. 192 pages. 150 color illustrations. $50.00

SURFACE AND SUBSTANCE - INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ENAMEL JEWELRY

Catalog of a 2011 exhibition curated by Jessica Turell, which shows the most innovative use of enamel in jewelry by 30 international artists. Full color. 52 pages. $40.00