Antoinette Matlins – författare

to this edition In working with my own clients to acquire gemstones and jewelry since this book was first published in 1984, they have pointed out that most people buy "jewelry" and not "gemstones." Because the book offers so much practical advice and money-saving tips about buying jewelry, they urged me to change the title. So, in this edition The Complete Guide to Buying Gems has been changed to Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide. Consumer and professional response to the book has been very gratifying. Almost 14,000 hardcover copies are in circulation. We have received hundreds of letters, phone calls and in-person comments about the helpfulness and interesting information it provides. We thank you for encouraging us to make the book more widely available by bringing out this softcover edition. We have taken the opportunity of this softcover edition to update the price guides for diamonds and colored gemstones and, in light of the increase in both the popularity and price of pearls, to add a price guide for them in the "Guide to Popular Gems and Their Prices." Also, we want to take this opportunity to comment further on gem invest­ ment, taking into account major developments since the original manuscript was written in 1980.

Over 400,000 Copies in PrintKnow What You Want, Know What You’re Buying,Learn the Secrets to Get the Most for Your MoneyEasy to Read • Easy to UnderstandPractical • Complete

Instant Answers ... to All Your QuestionsCompletely Updated & Expanded 7th Edition!

Purchasing gems and jewelry can be a magical experience, filled with excitement and anticipation. But lack of information, error, or misrepresentation can make the thrill of buying a gem or piece of jewelry confusing, intimidating, overwhelming, and costly.

To help you avoid the pitfalls and keep the magic, two internationally respected experts on buying gems and jewelry put their inside knowledge to work for you in this easy-to-read, easy-to-use guide. It is filled with practical advice and is designed to make it easy for you to have all the information you need to buy gems and jewelry with confidence.

Recommended by consumer and jewelry trade reviewers around the world, it is already in use in over 100 countries and has been translated into Spanish, Arabic, Greek, Hungarian, Russian and Japanese. Over 400,000 copies are now in print and this revised, updated, expanded edition covers even more: buying and selling on the internet, dazzling new diamond cuts, recently discovered gems … and new treatments and trickery to look out for. There are fascinating mythical and magical tidbits, and practical tips that could only come from an insider.

In simple, straightforward terms you’ll learn about the four Cs and how to juggle them to get what you want, at the price you want to pay; what to look for, and look out for; all about gold and platinum, jewelry design, and some of the country’s leading designers. You’ll learn what questions to ask and what to get in writing, and even how to select the jeweler, appraiser, and insurer.

The authors leave no stone unturned to give you everything you need to know—whether you are a novice or a connoisseur. With Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide, you’ll find the experience can be a joy, and the gems and jewelry you select a source of lasting pleasure!

The book couples in love have been waiting for. . .revised and updated!

Engagement & Wedding Rings takes the fear and anxiety out of buying an engagement or wedding ring, restoring the romance and the magic of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Inside Engagement & Wedding Rings, you''ll find everything you need to know to select, buy and enjoy ... to truly experience the wonder and excitement that should be part of finding—or creating that "perfect" ring.

Engagement & Wedding Ringsis filled with useful information to help you make the right choice, including:

Romantic traditions behind engagement and wedding rings. How to select the right design and style for you. Tricks to get what you want on a budget. Steps to compare prices properly. How to select the perfect bridal pearls. The latest cuts, ring styles and designs. Secrets to differences in diamonds and colored gemstones that may appear to be the same quality. How to select your jeweler, appraiser and insurer. What to do to protect yourself against fraud and misrepresentation—what to ask and what to get in writing.

one person can accomplish big things.

This colorful book offers you a window into the world of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most amazing people of the twentieth century. You will learn about Gandhi’s life—from his time as a student in London to his work for equality in South Africa and India—and his methods of peaceful, but not passive, resistance to injustice.

Explains in non-technical terms how to use the loupe and dark-field loupe to identify diamonds and colored gems, and how to separate natural gems from imitations, treated gemstones, synthetics, and look-alikes. The approach is direct and practical, and its style is easy to understand. With this highly accessible guide booklet, anyone can begin to master gem identification using the loupe and dark-field loupe.

Explains in non-technical terms how to use the Chelsea filter and synthetic emerald filter to identify diamonds and colored gems, and how to separate natural gems from imitations, treated gemstones, synthetics, and look-alikes. The approach is direct and practical, and its style is easy to understand. With this highly accessible guide booklet, anyone can begin to master gem identification using the Chelsea filter and synthetic emerald filter.

Explains in non-technical terms how to use the dichroscope to identify colored gems, and how to separate natural gems from imitations, treated gemstones, synthetics, and look-alikes. The approach is direct and practical, and its style is easy to understand. With this highly accessible guide booklet, anyone can begin to master gem identification using the dichroscope.

Explains in non-technical terms how to use the ultraviolet lamp to identify diamonds and colored gems, and how to separate natural gems from imitations, treated gemstones, synthetics, and look-alikes. The approach is direct and practical, and its style is easy to understand. With this highly accessible guide booklet, anyone can begin to master gem identification using the ultraviolet lamp.

Explains in non-technical terms how to use the refractometer to identify diamonds and colored gems, and how to separate natural gems from imitations, treated gemstones, synthetics, and look-alikes. The approach is direct and practical, and its style is easy to understand. With this highly accessible guide booklet, anyone can begin to master gem identification using the refractometer.

Explains in non-technical terms how to use the SSEF Diamond-Type Spotter and SSEF Blue Diamond Tester to identify diamonds, and how to separate natural diamonds from imitations, treated diamonds, synthetics, and look-alikes. The approach is direct and practical, and its style is easy to understand. With this highly accessible guide booklet, anyone can begin to master gem identification using the SSEF Diamond-Type Spotter and SSEF Blue Diamond Tester.

Newly updated and expanded, Diamonds gives you all the information you need to buy, collect, sell—or simply enjoy—diamonds with confidence and knowledge.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 colors, high-tech treatments and sophisticated frauds. There are new ways to buy—such as Internet auctions. 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?An in-depth look at factors affecting differences in quality and cost.Diamond grading reports—why all the information is important, and what it tells you.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!Written by an "insider," this easy-to-read guide is the “unofficial diamond bible” for anyone who wants to get the most for their money and enjoy what they have purchased.

The book couples in love have been waiting for. . .revised and updated! Engagement & Wedding Rings takes the fear and anxiety out of buying an engagement or wedding ring, restoring the romance and the magic of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.Inside Engagement & Wedding Rings, you'll find everything you need to know to select, buy and enjoy ... to truly experience the wonder and excitement that should be part of finding—or creating that "perfect" ring.Engagement & Wedding Rings;is filled with useful information to help you make the right choice, including:Romantic traditions behind engagement and wedding rings.How to select the right design and style for you.Tricks to get what you want on a budget.Steps to compare prices properly.How to select the perfect bridal pearls.The latest cuts, ring styles and designs.Secrets to differences in diamonds and colored gemstones that may appear to be the same quality.How to select your jeweler, appraiser and insurer.What to do to protect yourself against fraud and misrepresentation—what to ask and what to get in writing.

Know What You Want,Know What You’re Buying,Learn the Secrets to Get the Most for Your Money/Finally! Everything you need to buy beautiful pearls with confidence. Easy to Read Easy to Understand Practical Complete Instant Answers … to All Your Questions For people who want a reliable source of information to guide them in the fascinating and complex world of pearls—natural, cultured and imitation. Filled with “insider” tips and advice to help you get what you want.

to this edition In working with my own clients to acquire gemstones and jewelry since this book was first published in 1984, they have pointed out that most people buy "jewelry" and not "gemstones." Because the book offers so much practical advice and money-saving tips about buying jewelry, they urged me to change the title. So, in this edition The Complete Guide to Buying Gems has been changed to Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide. Consumer and professional response to the book has been very gratifying. Almost 14,000 hardcover copies are in circulation. We have received hundreds of letters, phone calls and in-person comments about the helpfulness and interesting information it provides. We thank you for encouraging us to make the book more widely available by bringing out this softcover edition. We have taken the opportunity of this softcover edition to update the price guides for diamonds and colored gemstones and, in light of the increase in both the popularity and price of pearls, to add a price guide for them in the "Guide to Popular Gems and Their Prices." Also, we want to take this opportunity to comment further on gem invest­ ment, taking into account major developments since the original manuscript was written in 1980.