Full Description

"Finally, one of the top diamond experts breaks the silence and demystifies the world of diamonds for regular folks like you and me."
- Gregory J. P. Godek, author of 1001 Ways To Be Romantic

Get Your Money's Worth on a Great Diamond

Buying a diamond can be one of the most important and intimidating purchases you ever make. Whether you're getting engaged or married, or are buying for an anniversary, investment, or just because, How to Buy a Diamond will take the pressure and uncertainty out of your purchase, and will show you how to get the best diamond for your money.

Newly revised and completely updated, How to Buy a Diamond is the only book on the market to include wholesalers' secret pricing charts that you, the public, never get to see! The charts are broken down by carat, clarity, and color - including the various types of color within each color grade.

Important sections include:

• Matching your funds with the perfect diamond
• The four Cs explained: clarity, color, cut, and carat size
• Ring styles and settings
• Insuring and caring for your diamond
• Picking the right jeweler
• Jewelers' tricks of the trade
• Wholesalers' secret pricing charts!

Table of Contents

Preface
Foreword
Introduction
The Shortcut
B.E.S.T

Chapter 1: The 4 Cs
Carat Weight
Clarity
Color
Cut
Proportions Made Easy
Proportion and Price
GIA Classes of Cuts
The 61 Percent Factor
Artificial Lighting
Super Cuts
High Definition Diamonds
Proportion Questionnaire Sheet

Chapter 2: Cost
Diamond Price Tables
Buying Shy
To Thine Own Self Be True
Too Good to Be True

Chapter 3: Ring Settings
Accents
Adding Color
A Word about Gold
... And Platinum
Palladium VP

Chapter 4: Picking the Jeweler
Jeweler Questionnaire Sheet
Who's Your Jeweler?
Bonded Jewelers
Who Will Help Me Now?
The Gift of Jewelry
Gift Questionnaire Sheet
The New York Diamond District
Disposable Jewelry
Buying Diamonds on the Internet
Certifiable? Lab Grading Reports
GIA's Bribery Scandal
Fine Print
Real versus "Fake" Diamonds
The Imposters
Making the Purchase

Chapter 5: Tricks of the Trade
Blue Diamond Blues
The "50% Off " Sale
Bait and Switch
Is White Really White?
Grade Bumping
The Fraction Scam
The Old Switcheroo
The Sandbagger
The Vanishing Act
The Dirty Dozen
Torquing
Inscription Deception
Pillow Tops
The "True Weight" of Diamonds
Diamond Mysteries - Things Aren't Always What They Seem

Chapter 6: Common Myths about Diamonds

Chapter 7: After the Purchase
Insurance
Dirty Diamonds
Dos and Don'ts
Some Final Suggestions
Cleaning Your Diamond
Jewelry Care Guide

Chapter 8: "Will You Marry Me?"
Planning the Perfect Proposal
Five Proposal Styles
Soul Mate or Cell Mate?
Crack the Case on Your Boyfriend's Proposal Plans
For Men Only
For Women Only

Chapter 9: Buying Your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Diamond
New Marriage
Replacement Diamond
Diamond Upgrades
Trade-ins
Special Occasions and Gifts

Chapter 10: How to Sell a Diamond
Step 1: Appraisal
Step 2: Rapaport Value
Step 3: Buyers
Antique or "Estate" Jewelry 292

Chapter 11: Anniversaries and Occasions

Conclusion
Inside the Diamond Business
Appendices
Index
About the Author

Excerpt

Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews: