Lydia Courteille: A Jeweller’s Odyssey, Juliet Weir-de La Rochefoucauld’s second book about the gemologist and designer, details her 40 years of innovation and the female figures—including Marie Antoinette and Catherine the Great—who have inspired her.

Below are a couple of excerpts about Courteille’s work and influences from the 224-page hardcover, available July 21.

Some of Courteille’s jewels were informed by Chinese culture, specifically architecture. “Courteille’s fascination with Chinese architecture continued east on the Silk Road from Samarkand, following the arduous trail to the oasis trading towns on China’s borders. Along the way, the outlines of houses and villages start to change to form as tiles, eaves and the bowed outlines of roofs begin to dominate the horizon. In the presence of this unique scenery, Lydia imagined a cuff bracelet with cut moonstones for roof tiles.”