Diamonds
Their History, Sources, Qualities and Benefits
Diamonds
includes chapters on:
Author: Renée Newman
Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd.
ISBN-13: 978-0-2281-0331-8
US$49.95, Hardcover with jacket, 272 pages, 380 photos plus maps, diagrams, tables, glossary and index, 9" x 11"
Publication date: November 17, 2021
Social media comments & reviews in publications:
"This book is a fascinating read. It has information and images I’ve never seen anywhere. I thought I knew a lot about the subject, but the book has taught this old dog some new tricks. If you are a jeweler, gemologist, designer, appraiser, buy or sell diamonds, love or hate diamonds, buy this book, period. This is the most interesting book on diamonds I’ve ever read."
Peter Indorf of Peter Indorf Designs
“I cannot wait to sit down with @reneenewmangg 's new book which I
received today. A very comprehensive look at all things diamond, with
beautiful colour images and diagrams. So glad I managed to get mine on
pre-order!” Sammantha Maclachlan, gemologist and appraiser
"I have my copies and it is an outstanding work; deserving of an award!"
Diane Caldwell, gemologist and appraiser
"Having read a couple of chapters I’d say it’s well researched, well laid-out and filled with great illustrations. My favourite book on diamonds for sure!"
James Evans, gemologist and founder of Lustre
Gemmology
"This book is comprehensive and just so informative. It is beautiful to
look at as well. I have ordered 8 copies so far, They make excellent
gifts."
Paula Crevoshay, Jewelry artist, designer and painter
"the book I wish I would have had five years ago when I started at Rapaport."
Sonia Esther Soltani, Editor in Chief, Rapaport, posted on her Facebook page
A comprehensive new book from gemology expert Renée Newman covers every facet of this beloved gem, making it a perfect read for newcomers and veterans alike.
Gemologist Renée Newman is well-known in the trade for her practical handbooks. Her manuals on how to buy gemstones, pearls and diamond rings are classic references for industry members and keen collectors. Her latest publication is Diamonds: Their History, Sources, Qualities and Benefits, and it would not be hyperbole to call this book the bible for diamond knowledge. The coffee-table-size volume takes the reader on a fascinating journey covering the symbolic power of diamonds through the ages, the various mining levels, provenance, the evolution of cutting, and jewelry styles. It also tackles issues such as pricing, ethics and lab-grown diamonds. And to make sure she’s left no stone unturned, she closes her exhaustive guide with the emotional significance of these sparkling gems. Diamonds is the gift every newcomer to the industry should receive or buy for themselves. It’s also an essential read for consumers who want to make informed choices.
Rapaport Magazine Reviewed by Sonia Esther Soltani, Editor in Chief
Sonia's interview with me following her review can be read at:
https://jewelryconnoisseur.net/diamonds-their-history-sources-qualities-and-benefits/
This coffee-table book from gemologist Newman (Diamond Handbook: A Practical Guide to Diamond Evaluation) covers diamond lore, mining and processing, and more. With detailed, larger-than-life photographs, along with maps and illustrations, Newman explores cuts (rose, brilliant, emerald), jewelry styles (Victorian, art deco, modern), and pricing considerations. Newman mentions only briefly the social and environmental impacts of diamond mining, and in a generally positive light (for instance, she describes De Beers's GemFair program as connecting "artisanal and small-scale miners to the global market through digital technology and assurance of ethical working standards")... Brilliant, oversize images of loose stones at all stages and in custom-made jewelry will draw gem buffs, jewelry makers, collectors, and historians.
Library Journal, reviewed by Maggie Knapp
This could be the shortest book review ever. If
you are interested in anything and everything about diamonds you need
this book. Period.
Renée Newman is a highly respected Graduate Gemologist
and author of several acclaimed guides to gems and jewelry, including
previous books on diamonds. But this latest book goes well beyond
anything she has previously published on the King of Gems. She begins
with a clear explanation of what a diamond is, starting with its use as
a drill bit in India in the fifth century BCE and into modern times with
a well-illustrated history of diamonds in jewelry. The chemical
structure that distinguishes super-hard diamond from its super-soft
cousin graphite is covered well. Also explained well are the atomic
inclusions that create colored diamonds. Then the countries where
diamonds are found are examined in roughly chronological order and with
the very latest information, maps, and illustrations, many of them full
page.
Cutting and polishing diamonds took a while to
get started-- not until about the mid-1300’s-- because of diamond’s
extreme hardness. The evolution of diamond cutting is covered, all the
way from primitive point cuts and table cuts, though the ubiquitous
58-facet brilliant cut, and on to today’s modern cuts. Again, superb
illustrations and clear writing make everything easy to understand, and
the various cuts are beautifully shown in jewelry from all periods.
The evolution of diamond jewelry is treated in
its own chapter, along with romantic histories, gorgeous photographs,
and brief explanations of the different periods and styles. This chapter
will be of immense interest to ASJRA members.
The tricky subject of diamond pricing is covered
in a dedicated chapter with a thorough (and thoroughly illustrated)
discussion, especially of color and cut. Next is an in-depth treatment
of laboratory-grown or synthetic diamonds, from Henry Moisson’s
pioneering experiments up to the very latest of today’s commercial
techniques.
Of course diamonds have uses other than in
jewelry, and a brief chapter at the end of the book covers these as
well. However, this is principally a book about diamond jewelry and will
be of prime interest to jewelry aficionados and historians. The
writing is crystal clear, the numerous illustrations are superb, and the
information provided is absolutely up-to-the-minute. Whether your
interest in diamonds is casual or intense, you need this book.
ASJRA (Association for the Study of Jewelry & Related Arts) Newsletter, reviewed by Eric J. Hoffman of HoffmanJade.com
In Diamonds, written with competence and enthusiasm by Renée Newman, a graduate gemologist and author of many trade-level handbooks on gemstones, the reader will be transported into a fascinating journey in the world of this precious stone.
This Guide is a treasure of knowledge about all the aspects of these valuable stones. From history to mining, terminology, cutting and evaluating diamonds to the romantic stories of some of the most precious ones, the book which features hundreds of photos, maps and diagrams is a mine of information. One of the chapters is dedicated to the laboratory-grown diamonds that were firstly called synthetic diamonds. However, this term sounds fake so it’s preferable to identify them as laboratory grown. In fact, they have the same crystal structure and chemical formula as natural diamonds i.e.carbon. The last chapter highlights the diamond’s remarkable benefits: non-toxic and biocompatible, resistant to chemicals and radiation, excellent heat conductor, excellent electrical insulator and semiconductor, resistant to high temperatures, exceptional transparency and of course most of all, unparalleled beauty and emotional significance.
celebreMagazine, article by Laura Astrologo Porché. To read the full article and see the accompanying photos go to:
Renée Newman, author of more than a dozen guides to various aspects of of gems and jewelry, has successfully presented in an understandable form virtually everything one might want to know about diamonds other than how to get the money to buy them. Like her previous books, this one is wonderfully illustrated with carefully chosen photographs and informative, understandable text written at a level those not professionally immersed in the diamond trade can easily understand.
The book's eight chapters begin appropriately with "What is a Diamond." The chapter contains twelve sections that discuss diamond in terms of its many uses, symbolisms, ornamental and jewelry value, and basic physical properties. Chapter 2 contains 40 pages devoted to where diamonds are found. Sixteen countries are discussed. Location maps and photographs of mines and characteristic stones are included. Timelines of Canadian, South African, and Russian diamond mine openings and closures are quite interesting and lend significant perspective to their important sections. Diamond mining and processing are covered in the next chapter, which includes sections on alluvial, marine, open-pit, and underground operations and a good discussion of diamond sorting. Chapter 4 is a fascinating description of the evolution of diamond cutting developed through the discussion of eleven fundamental cuts.
This is followed by a companion chapter dealing with the evolution of diamond jewelry, starting with the Georgian period (1714—1837) and ending with the modern era (from 1970 onward). The chapter is beautifully illustrated with dozens of photographs of remarkable jewelry items. Chapter 6 is an excellent discussion of diamond pricing. Factors covered include weight, clarity, cutting quality and style, transparency, and, increasingly important, treatment status. Comparative illustrations of cut stones of varying quality enhance the discussion as does the Gemological Institute of America's colored diamond classification diagram. The final three sections include creation issues (natural versus manmade), grading reports, and nonquality factors. Laboratory-grown diamonds are discussed in Chapter 7. The final chapter reviews diamond's many benefits, focusing primarily on physical properties. The chapter's nine sections discussions of hardness, resistance to chemicals and radiation heat conductivity, exceptional transparency, overall beauty and even emotional significance. The book closes with a glossary, bibliography, acknowledgments, and an index.
Although many books on diamonds have appeared during the past 40 years, Diamonds is perhaps the best from the standpoint of inclusiveness, understandability and illustrations. There is something here for everyone, and mineral collectors will especially like the sorting tray illustrations on pages 94 and 95. (Note: Wives and girlfriends must not be allowed to see the chapter on jewelry.) This wonderful book is, of course, well edited, printed and bound. I strongly recommend it for a place on your bookshelf.
Rocks & Minerals reviewed by Dr. Robert B. Cook, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
The first thing you notice and appreciate about Renée Newman’s new book Diamonds: Their History, Sources, Qualities, and Benefits is the remarkable photo illustration that graces the cover: a group of five absolutely delicious-looking diamond rings. This photo is the perfect reminder of just how wonderful and aweinspiring diamonds can be, from the icy colorless gems to the candy-like fancies. But this is not just another coffee table book full of incredible images of impossibly expensive baubles (although, those are quite lovely!). In 272 glossy pages, Ms. Newman invites us to consider everything there is to know about diamonds, from their formation deep in the earth, to their mining by man and machine, and on to their eventual use in both industrial and entirely frivolous applications.
Just as in her previous books, Ms. Newman adopts a neutral and straightforward tone in her narrative. The explanations are clear, concise, and not overly technical. While the book covers a huge range of subjects, many of them quite complicated, Ms. Newman knows just how much space should be allotted to each and does not get bogged down in any one area. For instance, her survey of historical and present-day diamond sources is a terrific primer on the topic and gives up-to-date information about the various mining concerns and their output all over the world. This is a theme that could fill volumes, with the fine details of proprietorship, funding, and yield shifting constantly, but Ms. Newman handles everything in a very readable and uncomplicated way. I learned quite a bit that I did not know about historical diamond sources, such as Golconda, and much that I have missed out on about contemporary mines in far-flung locales.
One excellent benefit of reading Diamonds cover-to-cover is all of the many questions it raises in the mind of the reader for later exploration. Whether you are most intrigued by ancient jewelry fashions or high-tech production of CVD gems, there is plenty of food for thought and an exhaustive bibliography to explore. Ms. Newman also cites the opinions and work of top experts in the field of gemology, as well as dealers and designers whose professions rely on diamond’s appeal. Many of these names will be familiar to NAJA’s membership, including diamond dealer Michael Goldstein, who weighs in on antique makes, and researcher Branko Deljanin, whose work on synthetic diamonds is cited.
Reading Diamonds is a pleasure, but the photos and illustrations serve to perfectly enhance the text. In particular, Ms. Newman highlights early diamond cuts and jewelry, which are often overlooked in books devoted to more brilliant bling. Not every jewel depicted is beyond the reach of the average jewelry appraiser, either, and she makes a point of illustrating contemporary fashions from the likes of De Beers’ Lightbox. These pieces are budgetfriendly, utilize lab-grown diamonds, and are becoming increasingly more common in jewelry boxes around the world.
Diamonds: Their History, Sources, Qualities, and Benefits is a beautiful book, both in its many photographs and illustrations and in its content. It gives the reader an excellent overview of the many facets of diamonds: historical, technical, industrial, decorative, and symbolic. The accessible text provides a bounty of information to the novice and fresh insights to the expert, all while working its nimble way from topic to topic. Renée Newman’s impressive body of work boasts a brand new star in this lovely book!
The Jewelry Appraiser (published by National Association of Jewelry Appraisers) Reviewed by Caitlin St John, GIA GG
This book stands out for two reasons: the
exceptional quality of photography and the depth of research. This
book is a must for jewellery lovers and collectors, with in-depth
descriptions of and photos representative of several design epochs from
Georgian to modern.
This book delves deeply into the topics covered and has short stories of
some of the famous people in the industry from Cecil Rhodes to Harry
Winston, and film stars including Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor,
all of whom made diamonds essential.
The history of styles of diamond cutting and
diamond-set jewellery through periods since antiquity, and the trends in
the previous century are covered in detail. Each of these several epochs
is illustrated with exceptional photos of classic pieces. Modern diamond
cutting is explained step-by-step in a high-tech Indian factory, and
introduces the technology for which I lodged patents. I could not fault
these explanations as it was the first time that I have read in-depth
and accurately detailed descriptions.
An excellent book for the coffee table, and for diamond and jewellery
collectors. At 272 pages including and index and detailed bibliography,
the book is a great resource for students. Image quality is
unsurpassed and the detailed research is flawless.
Australian Gemmologist (a.k.a. A G Journal) Garry Holloway Bsc FGAA DipDT Registered Valuer
Renée Newman is well known as the author of a range of reference books and guides on gems and jewels that have been received with much acclaim. This new book on diamonds is conceived both for the general public (but not just as a 'coffee-table book') and for professionals who are looking for quick information . . .
All in all, this splendid volume is comprehensive, with a treasure trove of up-to-date data, and is easily readable. It will appeal to many different kinds of readers, from diamond loving laypersons to professionals in the diamond trade to scientists. And, it is sold for a moderate price. I concur with the sentiments of another reviewer of this book (Peter Indorf): "If you are a jeweler, gemologist, designer, appraiser, buy or sell diamonds, love or hate diamonds, buy this book, period."
Journal of Gemmology, Reviewed by Dr. Rolf Tatje, Duisburg, Germany
Journalist Diana Jarrett interviewed me for an
article in Southern Jewelry News
https://southernjewelrynews.com/columnists/the-story-behind-the-stone-reading-between-the-lines/
In it she wrote, “Newman is an industry pillar with her no-nonsense
writing . . . Diamond fans will be glad to discover [that Diamonds] is
not simply a mashup of previously published content.”
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: What Is a Diamond? . . . 10
10 A Practical Tool
12 A Good Luck Charm with Magical Powers
13 A Symbol of Power & Wealth
19 An Ornamental Gemstone
23 A Poker Chip or Plaything
24 A Mineral Composed of Carbon with a Unique Crystal Structure
31 A Direct Sample of the Interior of the Earth
33 A Source of Income
33 An Insatiable Obsession
34 A Form of Portable Wealth
35 Symbol of Love and Commitment
Chapter 2: Where Are Diamonds Found? . . . 38
40 India
44 Borneo
46 Brazil
49 South Africa
57 Namibia
58 Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
59 Angola
60 Sierra Leone
61 Tanzania
62 Botswana
64 Zimbabwe
64 Lesotho
66 USA
67 Russia
72 Australia
74 Canada
Chapter 3: Diamond Mining and Processing . . . 78
78 Alluvial Mining
81 Marine Mining
82 Open-Pit Mining
86 Underground Mining
92 Diamond Sorting
Chapter 4: The Evolution of Diamond Cutting . . . 96
97 Crystal Structure and Cutting
100 The Cutting Process
104 Machine Advancements in Cutting
106 The Development of Diamond Cuts
106 Point Cut
107 Table Cut
110 Rose Cut
112 Single Cut
113 Double Cut (Mazarin Cut)
113 Triple Cut (Brilliant Cut, Old Mine Cut)
116 Old European Cut
119 Modern Round Brilliant Cut
124 Mixed Cuts
127 Step Cut and Emerald Cut
129 Slice Cut
Chapter 5: The Evolution of Diamond Jewelry . . . 132
132 Early Diamond Jewelry
138 Period Jewelry (European and American)
139 Georgian
144 Victorian
151 Art Nouveau
154 Arts and Crafts
154 Edwardian
158 Art Deco
163 Retro
158 Mid-Century
172 Modern
Chapter 6: How Are Diamonds Priced? . . . 184
185 Color
192 Carat Weight
196 Cut Quality
199 Cutting Style and Shape
201 Clarity
202 Transparency
205 Treatment Status
208 Creator
209 Diamond Grading Reports
210 Non-Quality Factors that Can Affect Prices
Chapter 7: Laboratory-Grown Diamonds . . . 212
213 Terminology for Laboratory-Grown Diamonds
213 HPHT-Grown Versus CVD-Grown Diamonds
218 Timeline of Lab-Grown Diamond Development
224 Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry
Chapter 8: Diamond’s Remarkable Benefits . . . 228
229 Superior Hardness
232 Nontoxic and Biocompatible
232 Resistance to Chemicals and Radiation
233 Excellent Heat Conductor
233 Excellent Electrical Insulator and Semiconductor
235 Resistance to High Temperatures
237 Exceptional Transparency
237 Unmatched Beauty
245 Emotional Significance
246 Glossary
258 Bibliography
265 Acknowledgements
267 Index
Newman Gem & Jewelry Series Book Links
Diamond Ring Buying Guide, Details & Reviews
Diamond Handbook, Details & Reviews
Gemstone Buying Guide, Details & Reviews
Gem & Jewelry Pocket Guide, Details & Reviews
Gold, Platinum, Palladium, Silver & Other Jewelry Metals
Pearl Buying Guide, Details & Reviews
Jewelry Handbook, Details & Reviews
Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald Buying Guide, Details & Reviews
Osteoporosis Prevention, Details & Reviews
Exotic Gems, Volume 1, Details & Reviews
Exotic Gems, Volume 2, Details & Reviews
Exotic Gems, Volume 3, Detail & Reviews