A book investigates in the world of animals represented in jewels

Released at the end of September by Rizzoli Electa, "Beautiful Creatures: Jewelry Inspired by the Animal Kingdom", explores iconic representations of bejeweled animals, from Bulgari's snakes to Cartier's panthers to JAR's butterflies.

The volume accompanies an exhibition by the same title hosted at the American Museum of Natural History, and which is expected to open this fall after the completion of the establishment of the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals.

The renovated rooms will host a new gallery dedicated to special exhibitions, the Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery, starting with "Beautiful Creatures".

120 jewels will be the protagonists of the exhibition and of the book ranging from today's creations to pieces that date back to the mid-1800s.

The jewels are grouped according to their environment: "Air" shows birds and insects, "Water" shows fish, starfish and crocodiles and "Land" features mammals and reptiles such as tigers, elephants, snakes, lizards and turtles.

Fasel combines the presentation of these pieces with their stories including important symbolic associations and anecdotes about famous people such as Elizabeth Taylor who often wore jewelry of this inspiration.