An American Library Association Notable Book When he proposed to his girlfriend, Tom Zoellner gave what is expected of every American man--a diamond engagement ring. But when the relationship broke apart, he was left with a used diamond that began to haunt him. His obsession carried him around the globe; from the "blood diamond" rings of Africa; to the sweltering polishing factories of India; to mines above the Arctic Circle; to illegal diggings in Brazil; to the London headquarters of De Beers, the secretive global colossus that has dominated the industry for more than a century and permanently carved the phrase "A diamond is forever" on the psyche. An adventure story in the tradition of Susan Orlean's "The Orchid Thief," "The Heartless Stone" is a voyage into the cold heart of the world's most unyielding gem.

In this update of the 2001 edition, the author of several guides on gemstones offers advice on what qualities, branding trends, experts, and scams to look for in buying diamonds online or offline, as well as how to care for diamonds. The book includes price guides, resources, and a photo gallery of classic and contemporary jewelry trends. Matlins does not address the issue of certification of stones as not being "conflict diamonds" used to finance wars. Annotation #169;2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

"When he proposed to his girlfriend, Tom Zoellner gave what every American man is supposed to give at such a time - a diamond engagement ring. But when the relationship broke apart a few months before the wedding, he was left with a used diamond ring that began to haunt him. Zoellner looked harder at the stone, and the consequent fascination sent him around the world." "Across fourteen nations and six continents, the empty mythology of the diamond drew him into a world in which a piece of carbon is made to breathe with the profound intimacies of our own histories."--BOOK JACKET.

Easy-to-read, practical, and easy-to-understand, this guide explains how to buy diamonds with confidence and knowledge. Illustrations.

Hart tells the story of the diamond industry like a good whodunit. The intention is both to inform and to entertain, and the commodity ensures a history rife with drama. Readers learn all aspects of the trade, the geology of the stones, the mining systems employed, the history of De Beers, and the new competition De Beers faces from the diamond pipes of the Northwest Territories and the Arctic. c. Book News Inc.

Expertly written and beautifully photographed, the Fred Ward Gem Book Series brings you the latest, most accurate information needed to buy and care for your gems. DIAMONDS, REVISED, includes new color photographs, famous gems, diamond mines, buying tips, and more.

Diamonds have been used to adorn the human body since ancient times, but diamond jewelry of remarkable invention, style, and variety really came into its own only in the twentieth century. This book surveys the rich history of this century's fascination with diamond jewelry with unmatched thoroughness. Authors Penny Proddow and Marion Fasel (coauthors of Hollywood Jewels) describe the parade of interesting jewels with wit and style - from the French empress Eugenie's glittering tiara to the pop singer Madonna's diamond navel ring. Decade by decade the authors trace the changes in public taste - often led by society figures or entertainers such as Marjorie Merriweather Post, Lyn Revson, Merle Oberon, and, of course, Elizabeth Taylor. They reveal the innovations of a succession of creative designers, detailing the evolution of styles including Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Machine Age, Pop, and Fantasy. They show the introduction of ever-new cuts of diamonds - from the traditional round and rose-cut stones to baguettes, pear shaped, rectangular, and even half-moon stones - and follow the contemporary trend from pure white diamonds to canary and, more recently, pink ones. The authors have handled many of these dazzling modern jewels, delved into the archives and studied the drawings of the leading artisans and jewelry merchants - Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, Harry Winston, Bulgari - and interviewed many living designers, including Paul Flato, Julius Cohen, Rachelle Epstein and Daniel Brush.

1. Includes bibliographical references.
   
2. Includes index.