How to Buy a Diamond: Insider Secrets for Getting Your Money's Worth

by Fred Cuellar

Book Overview

Buying a diamond can be one of the most important and intimidating purchases you ever make. Whether you're getting engaged or married, or are buying for an anniversary, investment or just because, How to Buy a Diamond will take the pressure and uncertainty out of your purchase, and will show you how to get the best diamond for your money. Newly revised, and completely updated, How to Buy a Diamond is the only book on the market to include wholesalers'...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1402204094
• ISBN13: 9781402204098
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
• Length: 328 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.7" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A MUST READ

I bought this book about a year ago and studied it to the point of writing notes down so I could sound somewhat intelligent when I talked to a jeweler. Well, as soon as the jeweler knew that I knew what I was talking about, they backed off the sleezy sales pitch and let me shop how I wanted. Just the feeling of knowing I was able to outsmart the jeweler was worth the price of the book. I can't overemphasize how readily available Fred Cuellar makes his organization available to the average diamond buyer. I called the 800 number in the book so many times and can't thank the folks at Diamond Cutter International (DCI) enough. In fact, I ended up going with DCI for the diamond engagement ring - no other jeweler was able to match the 4Cs like DCI was, and my fiancee gets more compliments than I can count on her ring. We designed the ring and DCI custom made the ring. They walked me and my fiancee through the entire process and even made sketches of the ring we ended up getting before we made the sale final. They were just awesome. Knowledge is power, and having some knowledge about diamonds, diamond buying, and the industry is worth your while. Fred takes you through all of the technical stuff, but then addresses buying over the Internet (not recommended), marketing ploys for diamonds, and other issues that you just won't get straight answers to from others. Fred does have a service that recommends jewelers in your area, and I would encourage the use of the service. Even though we ended going with DCI for our diamond, the jewelers that were recommended to us were very good - we just couldn't find what we wanted in our area. It's worth the money. Just do it.

OUTSTANDING!

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!

Excellent!!!!

Very comprehensive. One will go into any jewelry store with complete confidence; and know exactly when you may encounter less than honest jewelers. Easy to understand and a pleasure to read, and I hate books.

DON'T BUY A DIAMOND BEFORE READING THIS BOOK

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.

Read this book before buying a diamond!

Simply put, anyone who is in the market for a diamond, in particular for an engagement ring, must read this book. In about 200 hundred pages Mr. Cuellar explains everything you need to know to get a great stone at a great price. I was so fascinated by the book that I read it in one sitting. After reading the book, I knew more about diamonds than a number of the people who were trying to sell them to me. He exhaustively reviews the 4 C's and talks about tricks of the trade to protect yourself from getting ripped off. A great asset of the book is the price guide that is included. It gives you a good idea of how much you should expect to pay for a diamond of a given size and quality. Mr. Cuellar also provides a phone number so that you can call and talk to one of his associates about a stone that you are interested in. In fact, I got to speak with Mr. Cuellar himself this week about a stone that I just purchased. I thought I was getting a good deal; he said I got a great deal. I owe it all to his book and the fantastic jeweler I was fortunate enough to do business with. Five stars all the way!