
The Master Jeweler
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Christine Lin
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By:
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Weina Dai Randel
About this listen
From the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Night Angels comes the epic story of a brilliant young woman’s dangerous rise to fame in the perilous world of jewelry in 1920s Shanghai—and the power of love and friendship.
Harbin, China, 1925. Fifteen-year-old Anyu Zhang discovers a priceless Fabergé egg in the snow and returns it to the owner, Isaac Mandelburg, a fugitive and former master jeweler for Russia’s imperial palace. In gratitude, he leaves her his address in Shanghai and a promise of hospitality, forever altering her fate.
A dazzling world of jewelry shrouded in secrecy and greed awaits, when later Anyu arrives at Mandelburg’s jewelry shop as an orphan. Single-minded and relentless, Anyu will stop at nothing until she masters the craft of jewelry making. But she soon finds herself entangled in the treacherous underbelly of the city, where violent gangsters stalk the streets, vicious rivals seek to exploit her, and obsessive collectors conspire to destroy the people she loves.
From snow-crowned land to diamond-sparkling showrooms to a pristine island on the brink of war, The Master Jeweler chronicles an exciting journey of a bold prodigy artisan—including her losses and triumphs—in a glamorous yet perilous world of treasure.
©2025 by Weina Dai Randel. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.Critic reviews
“Weina Dai Randel carves out a glittering historical fable as dazzling and dangerous as the enchanted diamond at its heart. On the remote snowy border between China and Russia, fifteen-year-old Anyu collides with a master jeweler and the priceless Fabergé egg in his care, setting into motion a chain of events that will propel her to untold heights and unimaginable dangers. Anyu remakes herself in Shanghai as a jeweler in her own right, but her success is shadowed by three men (a loving mentor, a shadowy gangster, a jealous rival) and three enemies (a secret society, a mad princess with twisted dreams of power, and the rising threat of war). Watching the clever Anyu negotiate her way through bomb-torn streets and gold-dusted workshops alike with nothing more than the skill in her fingers and a mysterious lucky diamond around her neck is a true delight. The Master Jeweler is a real gem!”—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Briar Club
“The Master Jeweler is Weina Dai Randel’s best book yet. An unforgettable heroine, a relentless plot among the criminal rings of 1920s Shanghai, and prose that shines like a cut gem make this novel impossible to put down.”—Olivia Hawker, bestselling author of October in the Earth
“Once again, Randel brings together cultures and magnifies a slice of history, vividly portraying Shanghai’s competitive jewelry industry and the darkness beneath the glamour. This is an engrossing story about ambition, friendship, betrayal, and overcoming differences to redefine what it means to be a family. It will have you hooked from the beginning!”—Eve J. Chang, USA Today bestselling author of Daughters of Shandong
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By: Jane Healey
The Master Jeweler is a dazzling historical fiction novel set in 1920s Shanghai, chronicling the rise of Anyu Zhang—a gifted young woman whose journey from orphan to artisan unfolds in a world of glittering jewels, dangerous ambition, and emotional depth.
💎 What Makes It Shine
• Rich Historical Setting: Randel paints Shanghai with cinematic detail, from snow-covered Harbin to opulent jewelry showrooms and war-torn streets A.
• Compelling Protagonist: Anyu is a fierce, complex heroine whose growth is shaped by hardship, artistry, and moral choices. Her evolution feels authentic and emotionally resonant .
• Intricate Themes: The novel explores gender roles, artistic ambition, and the tension between integrity and survival. It’s not just about jewelry; it’s about what we sacrifice to shine .
• Craftsmanship Meets Storytelling: Randel’s descriptions of jewelry-making—from Fabergé eggs to enamel work are both technically precise and metaphorically rich
📚 Reader Praise
• Goodreads users rate it 4.37/5, praising its emotional depth, vivid prose, and unforgettable characters
• Critics call it “a glittering tale of resistance and courage” and “historical fiction at its best”.
🧠 Final Thoughts
If you love stories of resilience, artistry, and richly layered historical worlds, The Master Jeweler is a gem worth discovering. It’s a tale of transformation and where beauty is forged in fire, and every cut reveals a deeper truth.
✨ Review of The Master Jeweler by Weina Dai Randel
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It was beautiful
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Don’t waste your time!
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