Diamond Ring Buying Guide: How to Evaluate, Identify and Select Diamonds & Diamond Jewelry (6th Edition) [Paperback]

Renee Newman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2002

This guide has become the standard guide for buyers shopping for diamond rings. Renee Newman, herself, has been recognised frequently as the leading expert on stones and jewellery and her expertise has been used extensively by national bridal magazines and websites, alike. Now expanded and updated to reflect new trends in the diamond and jewellery market, the 'Diamond Ring Buying Guide' offers step-by-step instructions on how to evaluate diamonds and settings. With sections on price comparison, fake stones, synthetic diamonds, proper gem care, and selection of gold and platinum settings, this guide will provide consumers with all the information needed to make an educated purchase. More full-colour photographs and examples of diamond rings showing new cutting styles and diamond clarity are now included.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Renee Newman, GG (GIA), is a gemologist with broad experience in pricing and evaluating gemstones and jewelry.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Intl Jewelry Pubns; 6 edition (January 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929975324
• ISBN-13: 978-0929975320
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #890,031 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The pictures show what others try and explain, October 9, 2002

By 

Jeffrey Sauro (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diamond Ring Buying Guide: How to Evaluate, Identify and Select Diamonds & Diamond Jewelry (6th Edition) (Paperback)

This book is definitely a great resource to have when you're buying a diamond. I picked this up near the end of my search, so I had come to know most of the basic diamond information like acceptable table ranges, clarity and color ranges. The photos were extremely helpful because no other source I have come across provides you with full color close ups and defections of inclusions. What's a knot, feather, facet? What do they look like? Are they bad?

*Princess Cut*
I was looking for a princess cut diamond (the square one) and unfortunately this book mostly focuses on rounds. That's important insofar as the acceptable table and depth proportions are slightly different for princess cuts (FYI-get below 80%, around 70% is even better). Don't disregard the dimensions! At first I only judged size by carat weight, but a lot of that weight can sit below the diamond-hence you want a lower depth percentage. For example, a 2.0 carat princess cut that's 7.11 x 7.14 will look bigger than a 2.30 carat that's 6.69 x 7.30. With princess cuts, you also want to be as square as possible-anything with a length to width ratio bigger than 1.04 starts looking rectangular.

Another thing to keep in mind is the difference in Gemological Certificates. I found out early that an EGL G SI1 is just not the same as a GIA G SI1. Make sure you're comparing apples to apples here. There should never be a $1000 difference in price for the same cut, color and clarity. I found GIA much more consistent and rigid than EGL and eventually just ruled out the EGL certified diamonds. Try it yourself: ask to see the same size, color and clarity in GIA and EGL, 9 times out of 10 the GIA is more colorless and has fewer inclusions.

...

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better Diamond Info Than Anything On The Internet..., March 31, 2003

By 

John Cook (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diamond Ring Buying Guide: How to Evaluate, Identify and Select Diamonds & Diamond Jewelry (6th Edition) (Paperback)

Unlike diamond websites, this book isn't trying to sell you diamonds. It just lays down the facts about what to look for when buying diamonds and rings.

Newman's book is loaded with color pictures and info that you won't find on the Internet. For example:
1. Lots of close-up photos of diamonds with different clarity grades to help you learn to judge clarity yourself
2. Microscope photos of diamond inclusions.
3. Close-up photos of diamonds with a variety of cutting defects as well as examples of well-cut round and non-round diamonds. These pictures are far more helpful than diagrams I've seen on the Internet.
4. Diamonds of different colors and color-grades
5. Pictures showing how to detect diamond imitations along with tests for spotting fakes
6. Close-up photos of fracture-filled and laser-drilled diamonds and good info about diamond treatments
7. A wide variety of settings and ring styles from basic solitaire rings to unusual designer styles
Thanks to Newman's book, I was able to understand what I was looking at when jewelers showed me diamonds through their microscopes. And contrary to what one reader wrote, Newman doesn't make it sound like every jeweler is out to cheat you. She just helps you know when you've found a good jeweler and a good diamond. This book is worth far more than it costs. Don't go diamond shopping without it.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love love love this book!, August 8, 2002

By 

Lisa G. "crafty kitty" (Seattle, wa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diamond Ring Buying Guide: How to Evaluate, Identify and Select Diamonds & Diamond Jewelry (6th Edition) (Paperback)

My fiance and I had searched out jewelery stores and were looking for an engagement ring that was unique. We finally found one, purchased it and started having problems with the jewelery store (the store had ruined my ring 3 times before I demanded a brand new one). I should have read this book before we bought my ring.
The book is written in an outline style, a very easy read. Pictures of actual diamonds and flawed diamonds are pictured in full color, so you know exactly what to look for and what to look out for. Photos of diamond inclusions are described, I always knew that a VS2 diamond had 'inclusions' but 'what' exactly IS an inclusion? Newman has large close-up photos of the inclusions and describes them, and how the inclusions are graded.
Metal selection and comparison is also included as well as short 'chapter quizzes' so you can see if you are up to par with the jewelers that you will soon be dealing with.
All photos of jewelery designs are credited to the designer, so if you see a piece you like, you will be able to locate them easily.
I would reccomend this book to any couple or individual that is thinking of making a diamond purchase, because it is an investment that will last a lifetime.