How to Buy a Diamond

by Cuellar, Fred

• ISBN13: 9781570713927
• ISBN10: 1570713928
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-06-01
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc

Summary

This valuable resource gives the information you need to understand the terms of the industry, choose a jeweler and get a stone that won't leave you feeling cheated.

Author Biography

Fred Cuellar is one of the world's top diamond experts, as well as a three-time Guinness Book record holder in jewelry design. He is an importer, diamond cutter and jewelry designer committed to simplifying the diamond buying process for consumers

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Foreword	p. xv
Introduction	p. xvii
The Shortcut	p. xxi
B.E.S.T.	p. xxiii
The 4 Cs	p. 1
Carat Weight	p. 4
Clarity	p. 6
Color	p. 19
Cut	p. 28
Proportions Made Easy	p. 42
Proportion and Price	p. 43
GIA Classes of Cuts	p. 45
The 61 Percent Factor	p. 48
Artificial Lighting	p. 50
Super Cuts	p. 54
High Definition Diamonds	p. 55
Proportion Questionnaire Sheet	p. 61
Cost	p. 65
Buying Big Diamonds	p. 85
Buying Shy	p. 88
To Thine Own Self Be True	p. 109
Too Good to Be True	p. 113
Ring Settings	p. 117
Accents	p. 118
Adding Color	p. 118
A Word about Gold...	p. 119
...And Platinum	p. 120
Picking the Jeweler	p. 123
Jeweler Questionnaire Sheet	p. 123
Bonded Jewelers	p. 128
Who Will Help Me Now	p. 130
The Gift of Jewelry	p. 132
Gift Questionnaire Sheet	p. 132
The New York Diamond District	p. 136
Disposable Jewelry	p. 139
Buying Diamonds on the Internet	p. 140
Certifiable? Lab Grading Reports	p. 148
Real Versus "Fake" Diamonds	p. 158
Making the Purchase	p. 166
Tricks of the Trade	p. 169
Blue Diamond Blues	p. 169
The "50% Off" Sale	p. 169
Bait and Switch	p. 170
Is White Really White?	p. 171
Grade Bumping	p. 171
The Fraction Scam	p. 171
The Old Switcheroo	p. 172
The Sandbagger	p. 172
The Vanishing Act	p. 173
The Dirty Dozen	p. 173
Torquing	p. 175
Inscription Deception	p. 176
The "True Weight" of Diamonds	p. 178
Diamond Mysteries-Things Aren't Always What They Seem	p. 179
Common Myths about Diamonds	p. 193
After the Purchase	p. 205
Insurance	p. 205
Do's and Don'ts	p. 206
Some Final Suggestions	p. 207
Cleaning Your Diamond	p. 208
Jewelry Care Guide	p. 209
"Will You Marry Me?"	p. 213
Planning the Perfect Proposal	p. 214
Five Proposal Styles	p. 216
Diamond Guy Seal of Approval	p. 218
Soul Mate or Cell Mate?	p. 219
For Men Only	p. 229
For Women Only	p. 243
Newlywed's Prayer	p. 259
Buying Your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Diamond	p. 261
New Marriage	p. 261
Replacement Diamond	p. 262
Diamond Upgrades	p. 263
Trade-ins	p. 263
Special Occasions and Gifts	p. 264
How to Sell a Diamond	p. 267
Appraisal	p. 267
Rapaport Value	p. 268
Buyers	p. 268
Antique or "Estate" Jewelry	p. 272
Anniversaries and Occasions	p. 275
Conclusion	p. 281
Appendices	p. 283
Index	p. 320
About the Author	p. 324
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