Customer Reviews

Diamond Ring Buying Guide

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Jeff Ostroff here, from BridalTips.com. We recommend this book on our site because it is by far the best diamond book ever made. I love it because like our web site, they warn you of scams other books ignore or gloss over. This gem of a book is 130 GLOSSY pages of mostly color photos, and very easy to read text that will elevate you to expert shopper. After reading this book which is so easy you can do in one night, you'll know more than many salespeople, I guarantee you. Topics covered include diamond terms, the 4C's, chart of actual sizes in carats, detailed mechanical drawings, stunning color photos of every diamond cut & shape, photos of diamond colors show you shades of yellow, and treated diamonds. How to judge the cut, with lots of color photos to show you the results of good and bad cuts. There's also color photos of every single inclusion, crack, cloud, and bubble you are likely to see and photo examples of every clarity grade from I3 on up. That is the best part and makes this book worth it's weight in gold. Then there's photos to help you tell the difference between fake and real, fracture fills, synthetic diamonds. There's even chapters devoted to gold rings and platinum rings, with lots of beautiful color photos. Buying tips, custom ring tips, diamond cleaning, storage, preventing diamond switching, and lots more. This truly is a diamond bible.

Although the photographs are valuable, the book does not provide practical methods for determining color, cut and clarity. The information provided is too abstract and hard to apply in the jewlery store. The author doesn't provide specific information on diamond prices so you don't get an idea of how much you should spend on a diamond.

I recommend reading "How to Buy a Diamond: Insider Secrets for Getting Your Money's Worth" by Fred Cuellar. His book contains detailed price charts on diamonds by every quarter-carat for every clarity and most color levels. He provides practical methods for determining color, cut and clarity (e.g. he advises putting each diamond in the crease of a white business card and if any yellow is visible, it's not above color level K). The latter book doesn't have glossy pictures, but it prepares you much better than this book for buying a diamond.

I bought this book and several others to prepare me for engagement ring shopping. I shouldn't have wasted my money on the others. The book is clean and concise. After reading the book I was thoroughly prepared and confident to go out and shop for a diamond ring. I know I would have ended up with a much lower quality diamond and/or payed thousands more for an engagement ring and center stone without the expert advice from this book.

I had little knowledge of diamonds and spent several weeks researching on the web. I came across several glowing recommendations on this book. It's an enjoyable read and there are many colorful and striking photos. However, the author spends too much time covering topics like valuable "colored" diamonds and not enough time on specific tips on engagement jewelry. Personally, I would advise the thrifty spender looking for an engagement diamond to "browse" the web and just hit the jewelers. You could easily do without this book. Websites (...) were much more helpful than this book. (...) You can find out great information about the 4 C's anywhere on the web. You can find pictures, and most anything. If you would like to read one book and not spend so much time surfing, then this may be for you. But be warned, I picked up more information from surfing than reading this book.

This is a great, objective place to become familiar with the ins/outs of what to look for in a diamond. I have been to several jewelry stores recently and gotten a diamond education, but also pressure to buy a diamond. If you read this book you will not need a jewelry store education and you will know as much about diamonds as some of the employees behind the counter!

The Fifth Edition is even better than the Fourth. Photos are excellent and the knowledge imparted is accurate, well-presented and contains practical, hard-nosed facts that will serve the buyer very well. Much better than the average "let's go shopping" book. Mike Roussel-Dupre', GG (GIA)

Almost everything you need to know when looking for diamonds. The book explains the various cuts and gives examples of each in excellent four-color photographs. The book fully explains the world of diamond jargon and gives tips (and graphics) of good and bad diamond examples. The chapter on fracture filling and laser drilling was especially helpful since it has become so commonplace in the marketplace. It gives the best examples of what not to buy that I've come across. It is technical in places, so leave that part for the second reading! There is even a quiz at the end, but don't try it until after the second reading.

I think this is the most INFORMATIVE book on diamonds that I have read!!! It coverd ALL MY QUESTIONS on why different diamonds of the same cut, clarity, and color, all look SO DIFFERENT !! It has large glossy pictures that are easy to see, and explains what to look for when purchasing a diamond, in terms that a layman can understand. This book has given me the information I need to FINALLY be able to make an INFORMED decision when I purchase my diamond!! Thank you Renee!!!!!!!

Renee Newman is a jewelery industry insider, which blunts the usefulness of this guide as a tool for extracting best value from this particular sea of sharks. Nevertheless the reader is given a sense that they are being well educated. That the education takes place in the peace of your own home, well away from the persuasive jewelery store salesman is key. Take your time to study and learn. The guide covers diamond grading in detail, but doesn't advise which grades offer the best value for jewelery. Quality of cut is emphasised, with very good photographs to illustrate what can be a difficult area for the novice to grasp. Anyone contemplating making a significant diamond purchase should read this book. You will recoup the cost many times over !

"A picture is worth a thousand words." This phrase certainly applies in the world of diamonds. Renee Newman's book has great microphotography of diamonds, and the photos are supported by descriptive text. As a first time buyer, I found that this book was all I needed to make my first 1.00 ct diamond purchase. Many books about diamonds do not have "real" pictures of diamonds. Therefore, it's difficult to visualize what the text is trying to describe. You will not have that problem with "Diamond Ring Buying Guide." In addition, do not let the title fool you. More than 85 percent of the book describes diamonds, not diamond settings. The rest of the book covers settings, and precious metals (gold and platinum), plus miscellaneous (very helpful) information. I can't imagine anyone not being 100 percent satisfied with this diamond book. Education is the "key" to saving yourself some money on a diamond purchase. This book will definitely educate you about diamonds!