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As a diamond retailer for over 20 years, customers have spent millions of dollars with me. Most, without any real knowledge about diamonds. Everyone always asks the same questions.
I wondered why people do not come prepared with information and I searched for books on diamonds.
There are a few, but I found that they are simply too boring to read, even for a professional like me and certainly for novices.
That needed to change. That is why I decided to write "Diamonds 101", in the hopes of educating people, while entertaining them at the same time.
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Diamonds 101: A Diamond Buyers Guide is a non-fiction educational book written by Dirk Rendel A.J.P. (GIA). Rendel has been a professional in the diamond buying and selling business for over twenty years, and is accredited by the Gem Institute of America. Rendel gives the reader a brief history of the diamond, explains how it became an enduring symbol of love and devotion, and discusses how the graphite found in a No.2 pencil is not all that different from the carbon that becomes diamond when subjected to the right forces within the earth. He explains the terminology of the diamond’s anatomy, differentiating between the Table, the Crown and the Culet, and goes on to discuss the Six Cs of buying diamonds. Rendel gives the would-be diamond buyer ways to figure out what that diamond is going to cost, advice on how to steer clear of the unscrupulous dealers in the market and protect your investment by insisting on Diamond Quality Reports, and outlines the ways to identify your diamond after selecting it.
Dirk Rendel's Diamonds 101: A Diamond Buyers Guide is a well-written and fascinating look at diamonds, what they are, how they're cut, and how to steer clear of the hype and phonies and get the best stone for your needs. Rendel is the consummate teacher and guide to the world of diamonds; a place that can be daunting and filled with peril for the unwary. As I read through Diamonds 101, I recalled reading forum threads about people buying diamonds on the spur of the moment on cruises, and wondered how well those impulse buyers actually fared with those "incredible deals." Rendel does more than teach the reader how to be a smart and savvy diamond buyer; he shows him/her how to select the cut and style of ring best suited for their significant other, and discusses the all-important Certificate process and what to watch out for there.
He also discusses synthetic diamonds and simulated diamonds -- I found myself actually preferring Moissanite, originally discovered at a meteorite site, to the real thing. And he doesn't let you go once you've made your purchase; Rendel discusses the insurance options you should consider and how to care for that diamond. If you're in the market for a diamond, this book is a must-have, and, if you've an interest in gemstones as I do, you'll be thrilled with this comprehensive and enjoyable book. Diamonds 101: A Diamond Buyers Guide is most highly recommended.
