Diamonds the Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide: How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Diamonds With Confidence and Knowledge

by Matlins, Antoinette L.

• ISBN13: 9780943763323
• ISBN10: 0943763320
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-08-01
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Pub

Summary

Purchasing diamonds can be a magical experience, filled with excitement and anticipation. But lack of information, error, or misrepresentation can make buying gemstones confusing, intimidating, overwhelming, and costly. To help you avoid the pitfalls and keep the magic, Antoinette Matlins, an internationally respected expert on buying gems, puts her insider knowledge to work for you in this easy-to-read, easy-to-use guide. Practical, comprehensive, and easy to understand, this guide offers in depth all the information you need to buy sparkling diamonds with confidence.

Table of Contents

List of Price Guides	vi
List of Special Charts and Tables	vi
List of Color Photographs	vii
Acknowledgments	viii
Preface	xi
Introduction	xiii
PART ONE Appreciating Diamonds
The Magic of Diamonds	3	(4)
Becoming Intimate with Diamonds	7	(6)
Looking for a Diamond That's a ``Cut Above''	13	(8)
PART TWO Diamonds
What Is a Diamond?	21	(2)
The Importance of Cut & Proportion	23	(18)
Body Color	41	(12)
Clarifying Clarity: How Flaws Affect Diamonds	53	(12)
Weight	65	(6)
Diamond Grading Reports	71	(20)
False Claims & Costly Bargains: How to Spot Fraud and Avoid Misrepresentation	91	(20)
Comparing Diamond Prices	111	(4)
Fancy-Color Diamonds	115	(22)
PART THREE Design & Style: Getting the Look You Want
Choosing the Setting	137	(8)
PART FOUR Important Advice Before & After You Buy
What to Ask When Buying the Stone	145	(6)
How to Select a Reputable Jeweler & Gemologist Consultant	151	(4)
Buying on the Internet: E-Commerce & Online Auctions	155	(8)
Choosing the Appraiser & Insurer	163	(6)
Caring for Your Diamond Jewelry	169	(10)
Appendix
Selected Laboratories	175	(1)
Selected Readings	176	(1)
Color Plates and Exhibits	177	(2)
Index	179