Diamonds

This coffee-table book from gemologist Newman (Diamond Handbook: A Practical Guide to Diamond Evaluation) covers diamond lore, mining and processing, and more. With detailed, larger-than-life photographs, along with maps and illustrations, Newman explores cuts (rose, brilliant, emerald), jewelry styles (Victorian, art deco, modern), and pricing considerations. Newman mentions only briefly the social and environmental impacts of diamond mining, and in a generally positive light (for instance, she describes De Beers's GemFair program as connecting "artisanal and small-scale miners to the global market through digital technology and assurance of ethical working standards")... Brilliant, oversize images of loose stones at all stages and in custom-made jewelry will draw gem buffs, jewelry makers, collectors, and historians. -- Maggie Knapp * Library Journal *
An illustrated guide to the treasured diamond.... An overview of diamonds through the ages, the process of mining, the evolution of diamond cutting, and many more aspects of the dazzling stone's many facets. * Instore Magazine *
A massive tome devoted to the beloved sparkler. -- Diana Jarrett, GG, RMV * Mid-America Jewelry News *
The first thing you notice and appreciate about Renee Newman's new book Diamonds: Their History, Sources, Qualities, and Benefits is the remarkable photo illustration that graces the cover... But this is not just another coffee table book full of incredible images of impossibly expensive baubles (although, those are quite lovely!). In 272 glossy pages, Ms. Newman invites us to consider everything there is to know about diamonds, from their formation deep in the earth, to their mining by man and machine, and on to their eventual use in both industrial and entirely frivolous applications... The explanations are clear, concise, and not overly technical... Reading Diamonds is a pleasure ... A beautiful book, both in its many photographs and illustrations and in its content. It gives the reader an excellent overview of the many facets of diamonds: historical, technical, industrial, decorative, and symbolic. The accessible text provides a bounty of information to the novice and fresh insights to the expert, all while working its nimble way from topic to topic. Renee Newman's impressive body of work boasts a brand new star in this lovely book! -- Caitlin St. John, GIA GG * National Association of Jewelry Appraisers *
This could be the shortest book review ever. If you are interested in anything and everything about diamonds you need this book. Period. Renee Newman is a highly respected Graduate Gemologist and author of several acclaimed guides to gems and jewelry, including previous books on diamonds. But this latest book goes well beyond anything she has previously published on the King of Gems... This is principally a book about diamond jewelry and will be of prime interest to jewelry aficionados and historians. The writing is crystal clear, the numerous illustrations are superb, and the information provided is absolutely up-to-the-minute. Whether your interest in diamonds is casual or intense, you need this book. -- Eric J. Hoffman * ASJRA Newsletter *
Gemologist Renee Newman is well-known in the trade for her practical handbooks... Her latest publication is Diamonds: Their History, Sources, Qualities and Benefits, and it would not be hyperbole to call this book the bible for diamond knowledge. The coffee-table-size volume takes the reader on a fascinating journey covering the symbolic power of diamonds through the ages, the various mining levels, provenance, the evolution of cutting, and jewelry styles. It also tackles issues such as pricing, ethics and lab-grown diamonds... Diamonds is the gift every newcomer to the industry should receive or buy for themselves. It's also an essential read for consumers who want to make informed choices. -- Sonia Esther Soltani, Editor-in-Chief * Rapaport Magazine *
In Diamonds, written with competence and enthusiasm by Renee Newman, a graduate gemologist and author of many trade-level handbooks on gemstones, the reader will be transported into a fascinating journey in the world of this precious stone. This Guide is a treasure of knowledge about all the aspects of these valuable stones. From history to mining, terminology, cutting and evaluating diamonds to the romantic stories of some of the most precious ones, the book which features hundreds of photos, maps and diagrams is a mine of information. * Celebre Magazine *
All in all, this splendid volume is comprehensive, with a treasure trove of up-to-date data, and is easily readable. It will appeal to many kinds of different readers, from diamond-loving laypersons to professionals in the diamond trade to scientists. And, it is sold for a moderate price. I concur with the sentiments of another reviewer of this book (Peter Indorf): "If you are a jeweler, gemologist, designer, appraiser, buy or sell diamonds, love or hate diamonds, buy this book, period". -- Dr. Rolf Tatje * Journal of Gemmology *
Wonderfully illustrated with carefully chosen photographs and informative, understandable text written at a level those not professionally immersed in the diamond trade can easily understand... Although many books on diamonds have appeared during the past forty years, Diamonds is perhaps the best from the standpoint of inclusiveness, understandability and illustrations. There is something here for everyone... This wonderful book is, of course, well edited, printed and bound. I strongly recommend it for a place on your bookshelf. -- Dr. Robert B. Cook * Rocks and Minerals Magazine *
This book stands out for two reasons: the exceptional quality of photography and the depth of research. This book is a must for jewellery lovers and collectors, with in-depth descriptions and photos representative of several design epochs from Georgian to modern. The book delves deeply into the topics covered and has short stories of some of the famous people in the industry from Cecil Rhodes to Harry Winston, and film stars including Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, all of whom made diamonds essential. The history of styles of diamond cutting and diamond-set jewellery through periods since antiquity, and the trends in the previous century are covered in detail. Each of these several epochs is illustrated with exceptional photos of classic pieces... An excellent book for the coffee table, and for diamond and jewellery collectors. At 272 pages including an index and detailed bibliography, the book is a great resource for students. Image quality is unsurpassed, and the detailed research is flawless. -- Garry Holloway * Australian Gemmologist Journal *