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Summer — when the days seem to stretch out before us and warm-weekends and holidays offer a short reprieve from our hectic lives — is the perfect time to get lost in a good book. Why not make it something sparkly? From glittering memoirs to fascinating jewelry heists, literature is filled with legends about jewelry and the people who have been captivated by it. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet day at home or traveling to an exotic destination, our sparkly summer reading list is sure to offer you a fun escape.

Historical Fiction

1. The French Blue by Richard W. Wise
Recounting the backstory of the Hope Diamond, this fact-based novel reveals the fascinating history of The French Blue and offers insight into the 17th century gem trade. This historical fiction novel brings to life the story of a diamond with a legendary past.

2. The Pindar Diamond by Katie Hickman
The Pindar Diamond is a thrilling tale set in 17th Century Italy. This historical fiction novel vividly brings Venice to life while weaving a story about an English merchant obsessed with the Sutan’s Blue, a 322-carat diamond coveted by every collector in the city.

Nonfiction

3. Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History by Scott Andrew Selby
This real-life crime story reveals how thieves managed to steal $108 million of diamonds from the Antwerp Diamond Center on February 15, 2003. Flawless combines journalistic writing and diamond history in a detailed account of the heist of the century.

4. Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures by Robert K. Wittman
Priceless is a true nonfiction story of how FBI agent Robert Wittman became an art crime specialist and recovered $225 million of stolen artwork. This international thriller documents Wittman’s twenty-year career and the fascinating stories behind his recoveries of priceless art work.

Beach Reads

5. Sparkle by Jennifer Greene
A story of friendship and love, Sparkle is a delightful read about two women brought together after receiving an unexpected inheritance from the town eccentric. The “costume jewelry” turns out to be a real treasure, but the women quickly learn that their friendship is the most valuable inheritance of all.

6. The Necklace: Thirteen Woman and the Experiment that Transformed their Lives by Cheryl Jarvis
The Necklace is an inspiring story about thirteen women who decide to share a diamond necklace and learn to share their lives with each other in the process. A “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” story of diamonds, The Necklace is a sweet and touching story.

Memoir

7. Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry
A sparkly summer reading list wouldn’t be complete without Elizabeth Taylor’s classic book. In this memoir, Taylor reminisces about love, the men in her life, and her stunning jewelry collection.

What’s on your summer reading list?