Pearl Buying Guide: How to Evaluate, Identify and Select Pearls & Pearl Jewelry [Paperback]

Renee Newman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2004

The book tells you everything you need to know about pearls to fully understand and appreciate them, and avoid any unexpected (and costly) disappointments, now and in future generations. This easy-to-read, easy-to-understand, practical resource covers: the rich history and romance surrounding pearls; differences between natural, cultured, and imitation pearls: what they are, how they differ, and how to tell them apart; how to judge pearl quality, with tips on how to see differences with the naked eye; comparisons of all types of pearls, in every size and colour, from every pearl producing country in the world; what to guard against: artificial enhancements and misrepresentation; how to wear and care for pearls; pearl prices: from affordable to astronomical; magnificent pearl jewellery -- conversations with the world's leading jewellers; exclusive interviews with the world's leading pearl experts, who offer "insider" insights and advice; important resource information, including sample lab reports, a pearl glossary, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this handbook on purchasing pearls, gemologist Newman defies any hope of elegant prose and dives right in. Her first chapter begins, "The following factors can affect the price of pearls: Luster, Surface Quality, Shape, Color, Size, Nacre (pearl coating) thickness and quality, Matching, Treatment status (untreated or treated), Pearl type (saltwater/freshwater, natural/cultured, whole/ blister)." Assuming readers are novices, Newman explains how to appraise and distinguish among all varieties of pearls. She takes potential buyers and collectors through the ins and outs of the pearl world, and her guide will best serve those looking to make a considerable investment. She explains why buyers might favor one pearl type over another and how to shop for pearls (e.g., examine the strands on a flat white surface, look at the light reflections on the pearls, etc.). A chapter on versatile ways to wear a strand of pearls offers looks reminiscent of 1920s flappers, Jackie Kennedy and Vegas showgirls. Newman also shares a brief, "unconventional" account of the pearl throughout history, written from the point of view of "The Pearl Family" ("we pearls regret the discomfort we cause to [oysters and mussels] when they are alive"). Quizzes in the back of the book will allow readers to test their knowledge, and copious color photographs enhance the workmanlike text.
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Review

"...Newman explains how to appraise and distinguish among all varieties of pearls. She takes potential buyers and collectors through the ins and outs of the pearl world, and her guide will best serve those looking to make a considerable investment. A chapter on versatile ways to wear a strand of pearls offers looks reminiscent of 1920s flappers, Jackie Kennedy and Vegas showgirls. ...copious color photographs enhance the workmanlike text." -- Publisher's Weekly (USA), 22nd March 2004.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Intl Jewelry Pubns; 4 edition (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929975359
• ISBN-13: 978-0929975351
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,313,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute "must-read" for any consumer, July 16, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pearl Buying Guide: How to Evaluate, Identify and Select Pearls & Pearl Jewelry (Paperback)

Initially published in 1992, and now in a completely updated and expanded fourth edition, Pearl Buying Guide: How To Evaluate, Identify And Select Pearls & Pearl Jewelry is a handy, no-nonsense guide to purchasing quality pearl jewelry at an appropriate price. Written in plain terms accessible to the lay reader, and filled with color photographs, Pearl Buying Guide presents the wisdom and experience of a professional gemologist in its simple instructions on how to tell a fake pearl from a real one, how to select high quality pearls, how to compare pearls and prices, and much more. An absolute "must-read" for any consumer determined to invest his or her hard-earned money in fine pearl adornments.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a book of woooows and aha!!!s, January 9, 2006

By 

J. Malnar (Zagreb Croatia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pearl Buying Guide: How to Evaluate, Identify and Select Pearls & Pearl Jewelry (Paperback)

I had a number of wooow and ahaaa!! moments reading this book. Photos compliment the book nicely, and illustrate the main points wonderfuly. I have always been interested in pearls, but was never quite confident investing into them. This book covers everything you need to know before you go pearl shopping. Loved it. However, it also guided me away from buying an expensive strand of pearls. After all, pearl nacre is a living thing, it dulls kept in a box and wears away worn.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect Pearl Buying Guide book- the title says it all!, September 14, 2006

By 

C. Gregory "Divina Pearls" (Santa Monica, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pearl Buying Guide: How to Evaluate, Identify and Select Pearls & Pearl Jewelry (Paperback)

A wonderful sequel to the third edition, this new fantastic book is a must-have guide to learn, shop and enjoy pearls! With the fascinating ever-changing world of pearl culturing, the writer is always up to speed with the latest techniques, treatments, new types of pearls and latest jewelry designs. A perfect mixture of information and gorgeous photographs, this is another fine book from Renee Newman, definitively the best of its kind!