LONDON — With gold prices surging, and diamonds — mined and lab-grown — in decline, there’s no better time to be taking a fresh look at costume jewelry — its origins, history and position in the great cosmos of accessories.

Carol Woolton’s latest book looks at the rise of costume jewelry in the 20th century America through the vast collection of Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo , the Italian contemporary art collector and founder of the Turin-based foundation that supports young Italian and foreign artists.

The book, “Costume Jewelry,” (Taschen) showcases nearly 600 pieces from the 1930s to the present day, which are on display at the Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo.

“These jewels were not created to imitate, and they were not replicas that were passed off as fine jewels.

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