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Engagement & Wedding Rings: The Definitive Buying Guide for People in Love
This well-illustrated volume covers diamonds, colored gems, and pearls. It takes the anxiety out of buying engagement and wedding rings, turning it into the magical and romantic experience it should be.The authors explain the romantic traditions of diamonds and colored gems in engagement and wedding rings through the centuries and offer expert advice on how to make this once-in-a-lifetime purchase a perfect one. Included are all the steps to determining the quality of a diamond or colored gemstone and judging value. Advice on how to design the rings, and lots of illustrations to help.Selected Price Guides for Diamonds, Colored Gems, and Pearls.The Romance of the Ring.Engagement and Wedding Ring Traditions and Romance.The Allure of What is Diamond?Selecting the Diamond.Comparing Diamond Prices.The Magic & Mystery of Colored Gems.Getting the Best Value in Colored Gems.What to Ask When Buying the Stone.Design and Getting the Look You Want.The Wedding Gem-Studded, Gold, & Platinum.Consumer How to Spot a Fraud.Important Advice Before You Buy; Questions to Ask.List of Certified Appraisers.
- GenresReference
Paperback
First published April 30, 1990
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 15, 2012
It was a very informative read. I do not understand why it was marketed towards couples already engaged as it talks about information you should know before getting the ring.
The book has lots of information on fraud, misrepresentation, evaluation, and basic knowledge of cuts, gems, and metals. I picked this up more for the history and symbolism analysis, which was not the focus of the book. Sure, it was in there. But that information was strictly for helping the person pick out the appropriate stone and evaluate traditions behind that stone.
While I feel more informed on the different gems out there, I feel more confused, and now suspicious, of what is available. It almost makes me want to stick to my cheap jewelry. No one will lie about a rhinestone.
This is a tough book to rate. It is dated, and as such the information on popular stones, available colors, and the acceptability of synthetic (or lab grown) can read as old at times. One of the most obvious would be having Turquois as still December's birthstone. I, personally still consider it to be so, but most jewelers have switched over to promoting Tanzanite (or whatever it is now, and has been for a while). This is true of any book, esp reference material. This even happens to dictionaries. I know, shocking.
Unless you either plan on purchasing this and whipping it out at the jewelry store, or reading it in conjunction with further gem research and reference material, I would skip this. You could, however, place it on the shelf and whenever you get the inkling of going out for a certain gem, pull it and read up on cuts, how to read the paperwork, and about the specific gem you are looking for. If you are going to do that, it might be worth searching the used book section and getting this.
The book has lots of information on fraud, misrepresentation, evaluation, and basic knowledge of cuts, gems, and metals. I picked this up more for the history and symbolism analysis, which was not the focus of the book. Sure, it was in there. But that information was strictly for helping the person pick out the appropriate stone and evaluate traditions behind that stone.
While I feel more informed on the different gems out there, I feel more confused, and now suspicious, of what is available. It almost makes me want to stick to my cheap jewelry. No one will lie about a rhinestone.
This is a tough book to rate. It is dated, and as such the information on popular stones, available colors, and the acceptability of synthetic (or lab grown) can read as old at times. One of the most obvious would be having Turquois as still December's birthstone. I, personally still consider it to be so, but most jewelers have switched over to promoting Tanzanite (or whatever it is now, and has been for a while). This is true of any book, esp reference material. This even happens to dictionaries. I know, shocking.
Unless you either plan on purchasing this and whipping it out at the jewelry store, or reading it in conjunction with further gem research and reference material, I would skip this. You could, however, place it on the shelf and whenever you get the inkling of going out for a certain gem, pull it and read up on cuts, how to read the paperwork, and about the specific gem you are looking for. If you are going to do that, it might be worth searching the used book section and getting this.
Displaying 1 of 1 review