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.
Rating: 
Summary: Informative & Saved Me Money
Review: I found this to be the Best book on Diamonds! Once I started to read it, I couldn't put it down. I walked away with the Confidence and Knowledge I needed to purchase an engagement ring. I finally knew what the jeweler was taking about. Thanks to it, I saved thousands.
Rating:
Summary: How To Buy A Diamond
Review: I highly recommend this book to anyone considering buying a diamond. It is packed with practical information and great advice from an insider's standpoint. After reading this book, I feel confident that I'll make an informed decision and not fall prey to any of the industry sharks.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, informative read
Review: I must admit that this book was a very easy read, informative, and often quite amusing. I ended up reading this book in one day. This book presents virtually all the information you need on becoming educated on buying a diamond in a pretty fluid, direct way. Fred tells you some simple, easy ways on how to look at diamonds. I thought I was pretty fairly educated in diamonds myself, but reading this opened my eyes to some interesting tips and tricks of the trade. He does mention a couple of things suspiciously often, such as the GIA lab and bonded jewelers, but he educates you enough where you can make your own informed decision. Though there are probably other books that go into a bit more detail, it offers tons of information, as well as some memorable stories of clients, and tips for brides and grooms. Definitely worth reading!
Rating:
Summary: Proportion Questionaire Was Great!!!
Review: I picked up this book mostly on a lark. You see having worked in a jewelery store for many years I thought I knew it all. What I didn`t realize was how the proportioning of the diamond was critical to the diamonds value and overall look. Inside the book is an easy to understand proportion questionaire that lets you know if the diamond you are considering buying will display the maximum sparkle or not! Two thumbs up, Way up!!! You`ve taught this old dog new tricks!!
Rating:
Summary: Invest in this Book. Pays for itself over and over again
Review: I recently purchased an engagement ring and was fortunate enough to be recommended Fred Cuellar's book. This is the CLASSIC tome for diamond buyers and provides all the do's and dont's to observe during the buying process. I especially liked the checklist to use when evaluating whether or not to do business with a given jeweler. This saved me from several potential disasters.One thing I would recommend IN ADDITION to buying Cuellar's book is to search for unbiased diamond consumer sites on the Internet. There are a handful of great sites out there that will give you the latest prices, trends, scams, etc. Armed with that type of time-sensitive information PLUS Cuellar's book, you can't go wrong!
Rating:
Summary: Life saver
Review: I was looking forward to getting my copy of "Diamond Ring Buying Guide" from Renee Newman and thought I didn't need "How to buy a Diamond" from Fred Cuellar (these two books are highly recommended). Well, I now feel it would have been totally stupid of me to refrain from purchasing this very useful book only to save a few dollars. Whereas the indispensable "Diamond Buying Guide" has lots of descriptive color images and details to explain you WHAT type of diamonds exist on the market, "How to buy..." really gives you the HOW of buying a diamond. Don't be short sighted like I almost was! After all, you are about to spend a bundle. Fun to read, plenty of tips and advices... from a guy who won't be the one pressuring you into comiting a sale. One tip in particular pays for the books many, many, many times.
Rating:
Summary: If you're buying a diamond, this is the *ONLY* book to buy!
Review: I was ready for the big commitment, but I wasn't ready to buy a diamond. I had no clue about the 4-C's or any of it. My money doesn't grow on trees and I knew there was more to buying a diamond than looking for a big sparkly rock and paying full price. But I wasn't educated yet in knowing what to look for, what questions to ask, what to stay away from, who was ripping me off and who wasn't. It's a big investment everyone! You want that diamond to be worthy of your lucky ladies' hand.. pleeaase do yourselves a favor and buy this book at least a month before you have to buy that diamond. You *need* the time to read up and visit your local shops. BTW: the mall is NOT the place to go.. trust me. I found the *BEST* service and prices at Zack's Jewelry. Those people are really great! Don't forget, you need to be comfortable with the people you buy it from too, whoever they may be. You'll be coming back for cleanings to people you should trust. Good Luck!
Rating:
Summary: How To Buy A Diamond
Review: I wish we would have had this book when we were buying our first diamond. Everything that Fred Cuellar, diamond expert, advised not to do we did. We won't make the same mistake on our 10 year anniversary ring purchase.
Rating:
Summary: A READER FROM CHICAGO IL.
Review: If you are even CONSIDERING buying a diamond don't do anything before buying this book. This book is directly intended to inform the consumer. The only thing it lacks is pictures but it MORE than makes up for it in informative content, price tables, and Fred's help line. If you are REALLY serious about buying a diamond in the near future buy another book that has good pictures only to SUPPLEMENT this one. DON'T EXPECT TO FIND A GREAT DIAMOND AT A FAIR PRICE WITHOUT READING THIS BOOK FIRST!
|
