Diamond Ring Buying Guide [Paperback]

Renee Newman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Newman, a graduate of the well-regarded Gemological Institute of America, provides photographs and a wealth of information for potential buyers. She also delves into the intracacies of shape, carat weight, color, clarity, setitng style and cut--happily avoiding all industry jargon and keeping explanations streamlined enough so even the first time diamond buyer can confidently choose a gem." -- Booklist

"The Diamond Ring Buying Guide is a breath of fresh air to the retail diamond buyer. Succintly written in a step by step, outlined format with plenty of photographs to illustrate the salient points, this book can help keep a lot of people out of trouble. Essentially it is a fact-filled text devoid of a lot of technical 'mumbo jumbo.'. . . Beyond the standard discussion of judging and understanding color, clarity and cut, the author addresses other useful issues, such as gold and platinum characteristics, choosing a ring and protecting your diamond purchase. There is no doubt that this guide is a valuable asset to the retail diamond buyer." -- (Jeweler's Circular Keystone,C.R. Beesley, President American Gemological Laboratories)

"This well-written consumer book is filled with useful information, drawings, pictures and short quizzes directed at the first-time diamond buyer. Besides a wealth of practical information on diamond quality, the guide delves into the quality of gold and jewelry craftsmanship. Many tips on ring styles, stone shapes, setting styles and diamond qualities are provided. The author, a gemologist with several years experience in the wholesale diamond business as well as jewelry sales, presents helpful suggestions on detecting diamond imitations, in addition to well-thought out discussions of dimaond cutting and how the various factors can influence value. . . After reading this book, consumers will possess a basic knowledge, enabling them to purchase a diamond with confidence and making the buying experience pleasurable and memorable." -- Jeweler's Book Club News, Stephen Hofer,President

Product Description

The 6th revised edition of this step-by-step guide on how to evaluate diamonds and settings in clear everyday English. It gives information on quality evaluation, price comparison, fake stones, proper gem care, synthetics and more. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: International Jewelry Publications; 5th edition (July 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929975243
• ISBN-13: 978-0929975245
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,881,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't go diamond shopping without reading this book first!, November 11, 1999

By	Jeff Ostroff (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Diamond Ring Buying Guide (Paperback)

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.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This book does NOT properly prepare someone to buy a diamond, July 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Diamond Ring Buying Guide (Paperback)

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.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable resource for the inexperienced buyer!, December 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Diamond Ring Buying Guide (Paperback)

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.