Diamonds

Book excerpt: Whether you are buying a diamond for an engagement ring, anniversary, to commemorate a special moment, or for personal pleasure, today it is more important than ever to understand what you are buying. There are new shapes and cuts, fancy colours, high-tech treatments, and sophisticated frauds. There are new ways to buy -- such as Internet auctions and TV shopping. Buyers need a source of expert guidance. Practical, comprehensive, and easy to understand, this book offers in depth all the information you need to buy sparkling diamonds with confidence, including: What is a diamond?; The factors affecting quality differences in diamonds; Diamond grading reports and how to interpret them; How to compare prices; How to spot differences in stones that may appear to be the same quality; How to protect yourself from misrepresentation; Questions to ask when buying any diamond; What to get in writing; How to get what you want within your budget; Important information about buying on the Internet and much more.