How to Buy a Diamond: Insider Secrets for Getting Your Money's Worth (4th Edition)

Rating:
Summary: A SOLID INVESTMENT
Review: BUY THIS BOOK ! This book is concise, detailed and a great way to get your head straight on the stressful purchase of a diamond. Cuellar does an excellent job of educating the reader on the four C's and how to get the best buy for their money. ( I know I did ... Thanks to this book I bought an engagement ring that appraised for more than 70% over what I paid ! ) Charts, worksheets, questionnaires ... and did I mention Cuellar's Helpline ! If you're thinking about making the big move to commitment, or are buying diamonds as an investment, Cuellar can become your best friend. Thanks, Fred !

Rating:
Summary: Should be required reading for anyone who needs a diamond!!!
Review: Buying a diamond is one of the most confusing purchases in the world. How to buy a diamond not only taught me how to choose the right diamond but taught me how to get it at the best possible price!! Will save you hundreds or thousands of dollars on your purchase!!

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Summary: DON'T BUY A DIAMOND BEFORE READING THIS BOOK
Review: Buying your first diamond does not have to be a nerve-racking experience. Fred gives thoughtful insight into the diamond-selling business so that your buying experience is a pleasant one. His book is both interesting and factful, including in-depth discussions of the 4-C's, tidbits of historical information about famous diamonds and different ways to "pop the question." Easily readable within a few hours, this book makes you want to buy a diamond, and gives you all the information you need to make a knowledgable diamond purchase.

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Summary: OUTSTANDING!
Review: For starters I am a Graduate Gemologist, member of the Diamond DealersClub, been in the trade over 30 years, and a member of the AmericanGem Society. Mr. Cuellar's book is the most accurate, detailed andbrutally honest Diamond book on the market, This book will leave a badtaste in the mouths of jewelers that are up to no good. Knowledge ispower! Deceitful jewelers thrive through misinformation.... The factthat anybody can call up free of charge and get an idea of the valueof their diamond is spectacular. If you know the 4-C's on any diamondyou can determine price....Mr Cuellar, keep up the good work! Ihighly recommend this book to everyone!

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Summary: LIFESAVER!
Review: FOR YEARS THE WORLD OF DIAMONDS AND OTHER PRECIOUS JEWELS WAS A COMPLETE MYSTERY TO ME AND THE MANY JEWELERS I SPOKE TO SEEMED DETERMINED TO KEEP IT THAT WAY. I DIDN'T WANT TO BECOME AN EXPERT BUT I CERTAINLY WANTED TO BE ABLE TO HOLD MY OWN WITH THE JEWELERS I DEALT WITH. THIS BOOK HOW TO BUY A DIAMOND BY FRED CUELLAR WAS A JOY TO READ. NO MAGIC TRICKS, NO FLIM-FLAM, NO SMOKE AND MIRRORS. AS JOE FRIDAY USED TO SAY, "JUST THE FACTS, SIR." AND THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FROM THIS BOOK, ALL THE FACTS YOU NEED TO MAKE AN INTELLIGENT PURCHASE FOR ANY SIZE AND SHAPE DIAMOND YOUR TRUE LOVE WANTS. WHETHER YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ROUNDS, MARQUISES, PEAR-SHAPES OR OTHER FANCY SHAPES THIS BOOK WILL ARM YOU WITH ALL THE SPECIFICS, INCLUDING THE CRUCIAL 65/65 RULE FOR RECTANGULAR SHAPED DIAMONDS; LENGTH-TO-WIDTH RATIOS; AND SPECIFIC CROWN AND PAVILION ANGLES FOR ALL SHAPES. AS A BONUS THE BOOK CONTAINS A HELPLINE NUMBER YOU CAN CALL TO GET SPECIFIC ANSWERS FOR ANY QUESTION YOU MIGHT HAVE. FRED, I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR EDUCATING ME ABOUT DIAMONDS.

Rating:
Summary: Informative and Concise
Review: Fred takes the mystery out of buying diamonds. He explains everything from the "Four C's" to finding and honest jeweler, all in layman's terms. If you are in the market for a diamond, read this book first and become a confident and informed diamond buyer. Fred literally saved me thousands of dollars.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book & Info
Review: Good and informative. This book has illustrations included; but no "real" pictures. But this book was so good, it did not matter. This book is a good addition, but best complimented with Renee Newman's book, "Diamond Ring Buying Guide: How to Evaluate, Identify and Select Diamonds & Diamond Jewelry (6th edition)". Both books are a must, as I learned a lot from both. Fred Cuellar's book had the price lists where as Renee Newman's did not. They both mentioned "fluorescence", even though both books only covered the subject very slightly. I am still not sure what to look for - Hmm? The book did not mention the Vatche/Lucida X-Prong setting, or the Floating / Tension setting. I had to learn about these on the web on my own. I did however learn about the bezel and half bezel setting, which is what I am going to aim for. Nice to know there's an alternative to the usual prong settings. Another subject that was not mentioned was when calculating the depth; it never mentioned the measurement of the girdle. Without this measurement, one cannot get an accurate number on the depth. I searched throughout the book and could not find this. Another discrepancy is the ideal measurement for a brilliant stone - both books have slightly different numbers when looking at the ratios. All in all, this is a great resource and can help a novice gain some good knowledge in buying a stone. This book is so good I read it twice. I will continue to use this as resource for years to come. The author is colorful and has great wit, which makes his book fun & original- you won't find sterile bland info here. Fred's tips throughout the book are invaluable. I went as far as to buy my own jeweler's loupe!

Rating:
Summary: A Dangerous Book For Dishonest Jewelers!
Review: I am a Graduate Gemologist and have read every book I could get my hands on about diamonds. "How To Buy A Diamond" is far and away the best. The only people who are going to find this book tough to swallow are those jewelers who are up to no good. I`ve always beleived that an educated consumer armed with the facts can always make the right choice. This book gives you the facts.With tips on buying shy, corresponding grading and a National Diamond Helpline endorsed by the National Bureau of Fraud Prevention in Washington D.C. this book is a savior to consumers and a atomic bomb to deceptive jewelers! Mr Cuellar two thumbs up!

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Summary: Life saver
Review: I am so glad that I found this book. Before reading "How to Buy a Diamond" I was the textbook definition of a diamond novice, I mean I had never even purchased jewelry besides a watch before. After reading the book, I began my search for a jeweler. I used the Jeweler Questionnaire Sheet, found in the book, to help me select a competent jeweler. Once I located a jeweler, the price guide, also found in the book, gave me the reassurance that I was not going to get ripped off. I have read most of the other reviews where people are commenting on how this book does not include color photos of inclusions, blemishes or diamonds. But as I read through the book, I simply used the supplied web-link on page 10 to access www.thediamondguy.com. Using both the website and the book in combination, I was able to view the digital photos of common inclusions and blemishes while reading about them in the book. The website includes numerous photos, articles, a section for readers to get their questions answered and other opportunities to further explore the wonderful world of diamonds. The advice and knowledge I gained for the website and book was the ultimate combination. Through months of painstaking research, I even discovered a bonded jeweler online, www.fullybondeddiamonds.com. Thanks to this book and Fred Cuellar, I proposed the day after Thanksgiving and Jessica said yes. Not a day goes by where she does not get complimented on her ring.

Rating:
Summary: Very Informative & Highly Recommended
Review: I found & read this book along with "Diamond Ring Buying Guide" by Renee Newman. Fred Cuellar really gives you insight on how diamonds are rated "The 4 C's" and gives you suggestions on what to look for based on what type of buyer you are. I found his inside information on what goes on in the diamond buying/selling business very helpful. He also provides you with questions to ask a Jeweler to interview them and see if they are a legitimate company to deal with. I like his no-nonsense approach and recommendations of pricing for different cuts, clarity and color. One thing the book lacked was actual pictures for examples. I found Renee Newman's book "Diamond Ring Buying Guide" was excellent in providing color/B&W picture examples but Fred's book was better laid out in educating the reader. After reading Fred's book and looking at Renee's pictures, I felt very confident in going into a jeweler to look at diamonds. In fact, once I went into a jeweler for the first time and explained in detail what I was looking for, I was treated completely different than the other customer's. The sales rep brought out the manager, and both of them treated me with respect. In fact, make sure you use Fred's example of asking the manager if they would GIA certify the diamonds. This tells you alot about the jeweler you are doing business with.

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