Jewelry & Gems the Buying Guide: How to Buy Diamonds, Pearls, Colored Gemstones, Gold & Jewelry With Confidence And Knowledge (Jewelry and Gems the Buying Guide) (Paperback)

by Antoinette L. Matlins (Author), Antonio C. Bonanno (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Know What You Want, Know What You’re Buying, Learn the Secrets to Get the Most for Your Money

Easy to Read • Easy to Understand Practical • Complete Instant Answers ... to All Your Questions Completely Updated & Expanded 6th Edition!

Purchasing gems and jewelry can be a magical experience, filled with excitement and anticipation. But lack of information, error, or misrepresentation can make the thrill of buying a gem or piece of jewelry confusing, intimidating, overwhelming, and costly.

To help you avoid the pitfalls and keep the magic, two internationally respected experts on buying gems and jewelry put their inside knowledge to work for you in this easy-to-read, easy-to-use guide. It is filled with practical advice and is designed to make it easy for you to have all the information you need to buy gems and jewelry with confidence.

Recommended by consumer and jewelry trade reviewers around the world, it is already in use in over 100 countries and has been translated into Spanish, Arabic, Greek, Hungarian, and Russian. Over 300,000 copies are now in print and this revised, updated, expanded edition covers even more: buying and selling on the internet, dazzling new diamond cuts, recently discovered gems … and new treatments and trickery to look out for. There are fascinating mythical and magical tidbits, and practical tips that could only come from an insider.

In simple, straightforward terms you’ll learn about the four Cs and how to juggle them to get what you want, at the price you want to pay; what to look for, and look out for; all about gold and platinum, jewelry design, and some of the country’s leading designers. You’ll learn what questions to ask and what to get in writing, and even how to select the jeweler, appraiser, and insurer. The authors leave no stone unturned to give you everything you need to know—whether you are a novice or a connoisseur. With Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide, you’ll find the experience can be a joy, and the gems and jewelry you select a source of lasting pleasure!

Praise for Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide

"Restores the magic! [Will] entertain and enlighten all its readers and save some from heart-break. Recommended reading." — Paul Harvey, Paul Harvey News

"Includes all kinds of fun facts to know and tell ... an essential resource for the gem buyer." — Art & Antiques

"Takes the guesswork out of this important decision ... obtain the best value for your money." — Modern Bride

"A book designed to build trust between jewelry retailers and consumers." — National Jeweler

"An appropriate book for the uninformed public, but more than that, it is a good reference book for jewelers and their staffs, gem collectors, students of gemology, travelers, teachers, and even those who know gemology but want a state-of-the-art review." — Lapidary Journal

"We have seen no work more practical and accurate than [this book] ... the investor, or engagement ring buyer, who follows the dictates ... which are well explained and illustrated, will surely avoid being burned ... the best of its kind and likely to be of enormous value to anyone." — Frederick H. Pough, PhD Former Curator of Gems and Minerals, American Museum of Natural History, N.Y.C.

"Most certainly achieves its aim of helping consumers buy gems and jewelry with confidence and knowledge ... highly recommended." — Asian Jewelry

"Especially useful to service members shopping overseas." — Financial Planning Guide Supplement to Army, Navy and Air Force Times

About the Author
Antoinette Matlins, P.G., is an internationally respected gem and jewelry expert, author, and lecturer. Recently honored with the international Accredited Gemologists Association’s highest award for excellence in gemology, Ms. Matlins is the author of many books that are widely used throughout the world by consumers and professionals in the gem and jewelry field. Her books include Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide (over 300,000 copies now in print—the only book of its kind ever offered by Consumer Reports); The Pearl Book: The Definitive Buying Guide; Gem Identification Made Easy; Engagement & Wedding Rings: The Definitive Buying Guide for People in Love; and Jewelry & Gems at Auction: The Definitive Guide to Buying & Selling at the Auction House & on Internet Auction Sites.

Gemology Editor of National Jeweler magazine for almost a decade, her articles and comments on buying and selling gems and jewelry and on gem investment have appeared in many national and international consumer and trade publications. She is also the author of the "Gemstones" chapter in the Encyclopedia of Investments.

Ms. Matlins has gained wide recognition as a dedicated consumer advocate. She has spearheaded the Accredited Gemologists Association’s nationwide campaign against gemstone investment telemarketing scams. A popular media guest, she has been seen on ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN, educating consumers about gems and jewelry and exposing fraud.

In addition to her educational work, Ms. Matlins is retained by clients worldwide to seek fine, rare, or unusual gems and jewels for acquisition.

Antonio C. Bonanno, F.G.A., P.G., A.S.A., noted gemologist and appraiser, was president of National Gem Appraising Laboratory, and director of Columbia School of Gemology near Washington, D.C. He held the coveted "Master Gemologist Appraiser" title (M.G.A.), the highest distinction awarded to gem and jewelry appraisers of the American Society of Appraisers. He worked with gems and minerals for over fifty years, specializing in forensic gemology. One of the first Americans to become a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain "With Distinction," he also was an Associate of the Alumni of the Gemological Institute of America. Highly esteemed in the field, he was president of the Accredited Gemologists Association. Today, three daughters and one son, all professional gemologists, carry on his dedication to gemological research and educating professionals and consumers alike.

Product Details

• Paperback: 301 pages
• Publisher: Gemstone Press; 6 edition (October 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0943763444
• ISBN-13: 978-0943763446
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #106,006 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Makes A Difference, September 1, 2006

By	B. Honeycutt - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am not a geologist or gemologist but I am very interested in gems and jewelry. After purchasing and reading several other books on the subject of gems and jewelry, this was the most informative! I could not put it down. I buy jewelry of all sorts for re-sale, and this book is the only book that tells me all my choices whether buying diamonds, colored gemstones, or pearls. It is also the only book that describes the many clever ways that one can be deceived. I especially like their price charts for diamonds and colored gem stones because they are organized in a way that focuses attention on the impact of quality factors on value. The colored gem stone charts are organized so that it is easy to compare numerous stones of the same color. For example if my customer wants a green stone this book lists all of the stones available, and how they compare to each other in terms of price, durabilty, and availabilty in different sizes. No other book does this. I could go on and on, but I will sum it up in three words: It's the BEST!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book very handy for the gemstone collector., July 25, 2006

By	Debera Lovin (McRae Ga.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide, 6th Edition--How to Buy Diamonds, Pearls, Colored Gemstones, Gold & Jewelry with Confidence and Knowledge (Hardcover)

Although the other two readers did not benefit from this book, since I collect gemstones, I do find this guide useful. It IS important to know the retail going price of gemstones at a current market rate. Also great for gemstone re-sellers. This book may not be recommended for the novice jewelry buyer seeking to buy an item of jewelry, rather a collector's handbook of values of different gemstones, the RARE and EXOTIC ones, such as tanzanite, andesine, paraiba tourmaline and alexandrites. Direct shopping network and jewelry television also use this exact handbook as their guide.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for beginners, December 7, 2006

By	M. Shah "fan of life" (Chicago) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are buying jewelry/gems for any occasion and don't exactly know what you are doing, this book is a great start. The section on colored gemstones was particularly helpful, as it is harder to find good information on them. The book is definitely a keeper as it can be used for many different purchases.