Diamond Ring Buying Guide

It's amazing how Newman makes diamond learning so easy and fun. She outlines what to look for when buying all types of diamonds, and gives clear, concise explanations of all the price factors, not just the 4 C's. Then she illustrates her points with lots of helpful photos. You'll learn things about diamonds from this book that you won't find elsewhere. But this book is more than just a top-notch diamond book. It helps you choose the right ring mounting and setting style for your needs. It gives tips on buying custom-made rings and it has information on gold and platinum that I haven't seen elsewhere. I've been to a lot of jewelry stores, but none were able to explain diamonds as well as this book. In fact, if you read this book, you'll know more about diamonds than many of the salespeople. You'd be making a big mistake if you bought a diamond without first reading the Diamond Ring Buying Guide. It helped me save a lot of money

Unlike diamond websites, this book isn't trying to sell you diamonds. It just lays down the facts about what to look for when buying diamonds and rings. Newman's book is loaded with color pictures and info that you won't find on the Internet. For example:1. Lots of close-up photos of diamonds with different clarity grades to help you learn to judge clarity yourself 2. Microscope photos of diamond inclusions. 3. Close-up photos of diamonds with a variety of cutting defects as well as examples of well-cut round and non-round diamonds. These pictures are far more helpful than diagrams I've seen on the Internet.4. Diamonds of different colors and color-grades 5. Pictures showing how to detect diamond imitations along with tests for spotting fakes 6. Close-up photos of fracture-filled and laser-drilled diamonds and good info about diamond treatments 7. A wide variety of settings and ring styles from basic solitaire rings to unusual designer styles Thanks to Newman's book, I was able to understand what I was looking at when jewelers showed me diamonds through their microscopes. And contrary to what one reader wrote, Newman doesn't make it sound like every jeweler is out to cheat you. She just helps you know when you've found a good jeweler and a good diamond. This book is worth far more than it costs. Don't go diamond shopping without it.

The Diamond Ring Guide was a great place to set groundwork for buying the engagement ring. I had done a ton of research on the web but once I got this book it truly made things clear.It very easily lays out questions you want to ask and things to look for in a diamond. Most importantly it helps you decide what is important to you (and her!). I especially liked the section about watching out for shadey characters trying to take you- gave some great tips on dealing with sales people. I brought this book along with me to 7 different jewelers, as all the book reading in the world can only prepare you so much - you have to go see the real thing. Had a few sales people see I meant business when the saw I had the book and cut down on the "BS" factor. More often than not was reffered to the owner or manager.I feel I got a great deal and a great ring. I know my fiancee loves it and her friends envy the ring and diamond on it. Much credit goes to this book. If you aren't 100% sure what to ask, this will help you out big time!

My fiance and I had searched out jewelery stores and were looking for an engagement ring that was unique. We finally found one, purchased it and started having problems with the jewelery store (the store had ruined my ring 3 times before I demanded a brand new one). I should have read this book before we bought my ring. The book is written in an outline style, a very easy read. Pictures of actual diamonds and flawed diamonds are pictured in full color, so you know exactly what to look for and what to look out for. Photos of diamond inclusions are described, I always knew that a VS2 diamond had 'inclusions' but 'what' exactly IS an inclusion? Newman has large close-up photos of the inclusions and describes them, and how the inclusions are graded. Metal selection and comparison is also included as well as short 'chapter quizzes' so you can see if you are up to par with the jewelers that you will soon be dealing with. All photos of jewelery designs are credited to the designer, so if you see a piece you like, you will be able to locate them easily.I would reccomend this book to any couple or individual that is thinking of making a diamond purchase, because it is an investment that will last a lifetime.

Now in a completely updated and expanded sixth edition, Renee Newman's Diamond Ring Buying Guide continues to be an indispensable and invaluable reference which is enhanced with 104 new photos and additional information on diamond cuts, treatments, fluorescence, transparency, color, platinum, ring, and setting styles. Ideal for both the professional dealer, the collector and antiquarian, as well as the non-specialist general reader wanting to procure something truly special for a loved one, the Diamond Ring Buying Guide is the ideal illustrated guide.