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

Rating:
Summary: Life saver
Review: I am so glad that I found this book. Before reading "How to Buy a Diamond" I was the textbook definition of a diamond novice, I mean I had never even purchased jewelry besides a watch before. After reading the book, I began my search for a jeweler. I used the Jeweler Questionnaire Sheet, found in the book, to help me select a competent jeweler. Once I located a jeweler, the price guide, also found in the book, gave me the reassurance that I was not going to get ripped off. I have read most of the other reviews where people are commenting on how this book does not include color photos of inclusions, blemishes or diamonds. But as I read through the book, I simply used the supplied web-link on page 10 to access www.thediamondguy.com. Using both the website and the book in combination, I was able to view the digital photos of common inclusions and blemishes while reading about them in the book. The website includes numerous photos, articles, a section for readers to get their questions answered and other opportunities to further explore the wonderful world of diamonds. The advice and knowledge I gained for the website and book was the ultimate combination. Through months of painstaking research, I even discovered a bonded jeweler online, www.fullybondeddiamonds.com. Thanks to this book and Fred Cuellar, I proposed the day after Thanksgiving and Jessica said yes. Not a day goes by where she does not get complimented on her ring.

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: 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: Read this book before buying a diamond!
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: If you're diamond shopping, Buy this Book!
Review: So many positive reviews are posted here that I feel a little redundant, but seriously, this book was such a great thing for us to get *before* we started shopping. It's an easy read, and once you have your information down, you'll get treated much differently in a jewelery store. One of the stores we went to actually asked us if we were undercover reporter/investigators because of all the information we knew and the questions we asked!
The only thing I have *slight* fault with is the fact that he is in a way selling his own diamonds through the book (we found that his diamond charts in the book are priced somewhat high as opposed to even top of the line stores, with the exception of Tiffany's). In the back of the book he has an 800 number you can call to ask him questions, and if you're really lost you can ask him to find a diamond for you. That's what we did. It looks like we might be going with a stone from him, but we're paying through the nose (for his excellent guarantees and credentials, I'm sure) but we couldn't find the selection we were looking for in our local area. However, we will know forever and ever that we are getting a great diamond, and that is probably worth all the extra money to some/most people. But he has come up with the perfect profit system: write a great book from a straightforward insider's point of view = profits, sell your own diamonds through that great selling book because people now trust you = tons of profits. There's nothing *really* wrong with that, but it did leave a funny taste in my mouth.
Overall though, buy the book, it's the best out there in my opinion, but also buy one of the picture books so you know in your mind's eye what to look for visually. If this book had photos it would be internally flawless. ;)

Rating:
Summary: A Very Useful Guide
Review: This author comes with a resume that would make him a king in some small European nations; all kidding aside he is a diamond expert who has imparted his extensive knowledge to the reader with panache and ease. I could not put this book down. I was able to read it in one night and I feel totally capable of walking into a jewelry store and buying a diamond with the knowledge that I'm not getting ripped off. He has even added checklists for choosing your perfect diamond and picking a reputable jeweler. The only thing I found missing were pictures of different things to look for, such as diamonds that have been laser treated, the color scales, kinds of inclusions and blemishes as they look under a 10X loupe which is the instrument used to detect defects in a diamond. It is a good book as an adjunct to other books that might not be as easily read and clear in the technical presentation.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book!
Review: We were so lost when we started diamond shopping. But this book helped us get a grip on what we needed to know without giving us too much to deal with.
We too have asked for Fred's help purchasing a stone, but we don't feel at all like we're being sucked in, we asked him for help, it's not like he called us. His prices are well worth the quality he offers, and the peace of mind is priceless. We can't wait to get our stone, and it's probably going to be from him!

Rating:
Summary: this is the kind of jeweler you want to have
Review: While I was working in the jewelery industry, I got this book to give me more knowledge about diamonds. It was so helpful! He talks about shapes, imperfections, setting, fakes, and on and on. He covers every aspect of the diamond industry, and includes proposal ideas and other anecdotes. He definately knows what he's talking about. He has a very strict guide for jewelers and I know that most stores will not live up to his expectations (like a lifetime complete refund... that's fairly rare). But there is plenty of valuable info in here for every guy looking for an engagement ring or women looking to buy something special for herself. Check out his website as well. His ideas are fabulous and insightful.