The Complete Guide to Natural Diamonds: The Story Behind the Luxury, From Mining to Masterpiece
Unlock the Hidden World Behind the World's Most Iconic Gem

Have you ever held a diamond and wondered where it came from? Not just the store or the mine, but its full journey from deep within the Earth to the hands of royalty, artisans, investors, and lovers? The Complete Guide to Natural Diamonds is your definitive invitation into the fascinating world of the most treasured gemstone on Earth.

This is not just a book about sparkle. It is a sweeping, richly detailed exploration of the natural diamond's life story, revealing secrets you have never been told until now. Inside, you will journey billions of years into the past to witness how diamonds are formed under unimaginable pressure deep beneath the Earth's surface. You will walk the ancient trade routes of India and Rome, stand amid the rushes of South Africa and Brazil, and step inside the high-security auctions where fortunes are won and legacies are passed down.

What makes one diamond more valuable than another? How did these stones come to symbolize love, power, and permanence across every culture? What is the real impact of mining, and can diamonds be ethically sourced? How do you tell a natural diamond from a synthetic one, and why does it matter?

Whether you are a collector, investor, jewelry enthusiast, student of history or geology, or someone simply curious about the story behind the stone in your ring, this book will captivate your imagination. Each chapter unpacks a new facet: the science, the legends, the cutting techniques, the valuation systems, the global markets, and the controversies that have shaped the diamond's legacy.

By the time you turn the last page, you will not just understand natural diamonds, you will see them differently. You will gain the tools to evaluate, appreciate, and even invest with confidence. You will uncover how natural diamonds still stand apart in a world increasingly filled with imitations.

In this book, you will discover:

  • The dramatic origin story of natural diamonds and the forces that create them

  • How ancient civilizations revered and traded these stones before modern mining

  • The evolution of diamond cutting and the secrets of maximizing brilliance

  • The art and science behind grading, certification, and valuation

  • Real stories of famous diamonds, legendary discoveries, and record-breaking sales

  • Ethical insights including conflict zones, sustainability, and responsible sourcing

  • How diamonds continue to shape culture, power, and personal legacy


The Complete Guide to Natural Diamonds is more than a guide. It is a window into a world where geology meets human ambition, where beauty and history collide, and where value is not only seen but deeply understood.

Curious? Then you are already halfway there. The rest of the journey begins inside these pages.
1148074871
The Complete Guide to Natural Diamonds: The Story Behind the Luxury, From Mining to Masterpiece
Unlock the Hidden World Behind the World's Most Iconic Gem

Have you ever held a diamond and wondered where it came from? Not just the store or the mine, but its full journey from deep within the Earth to the hands of royalty, artisans, investors, and lovers? The Complete Guide to Natural Diamonds is your definitive invitation into the fascinating world of the most treasured gemstone on Earth.

This is not just a book about sparkle. It is a sweeping, richly detailed exploration of the natural diamond's life story, revealing secrets you have never been told until now. Inside, you will journey billions of years into the past to witness how diamonds are formed under unimaginable pressure deep beneath the Earth's surface. You will walk the ancient trade routes of India and Rome, stand amid the rushes of South Africa and Brazil, and step inside the high-security auctions where fortunes are won and legacies are passed down.

What makes one diamond more valuable than another? How did these stones come to symbolize love, power, and permanence across every culture? What is the real impact of mining, and can diamonds be ethically sourced? How do you tell a natural diamond from a synthetic one, and why does it matter?

Whether you are a collector, investor, jewelry enthusiast, student of history or geology, or someone simply curious about the story behind the stone in your ring, this book will captivate your imagination. Each chapter unpacks a new facet: the science, the legends, the cutting techniques, the valuation systems, the global markets, and the controversies that have shaped the diamond's legacy.

By the time you turn the last page, you will not just understand natural diamonds, you will see them differently. You will gain the tools to evaluate, appreciate, and even invest with confidence. You will uncover how natural diamonds still stand apart in a world increasingly filled with imitations.

In this book, you will discover:

  • The dramatic origin story of natural diamonds and the forces that create them

  • How ancient civilizations revered and traded these stones before modern mining

  • The evolution of diamond cutting and the secrets of maximizing brilliance

  • The art and science behind grading, certification, and valuation

  • Real stories of famous diamonds, legendary discoveries, and record-breaking sales

  • Ethical insights including conflict zones, sustainability, and responsible sourcing

  • How diamonds continue to shape culture, power, and personal legacy


The Complete Guide to Natural Diamonds is more than a guide. It is a window into a world where geology meets human ambition, where beauty and history collide, and where value is not only seen but deeply understood.

Curious? Then you are already halfway there. The rest of the journey begins inside these pages.
4.99 In Stock
The Complete Guide to Natural Diamonds: The Story Behind the Luxury, From Mining to Masterpiece

The Complete Guide to Natural Diamonds: The Story Behind the Luxury, From Mining to Masterpiece

by Tim Colton
The Complete Guide to Natural Diamonds: The Story Behind the Luxury, From Mining to Masterpiece

The Complete Guide to Natural Diamonds: The Story Behind the Luxury, From Mining to Masterpiece

by Tim Colton

eBook

$4.99 

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
WANT A NOOK?  Explore Now

Related collections and offers

LEND ME® See Details

Overview

Unlock the Hidden World Behind the World's Most Iconic Gem

Have you ever held a diamond and wondered where it came from? Not just the store or the mine, but its full journey from deep within the Earth to the hands of royalty, artisans, investors, and lovers? The Complete Guide to Natural Diamonds is your definitive invitation into the fascinating world of the most treasured gemstone on Earth.

This is not just a book about sparkle. It is a sweeping, richly detailed exploration of the natural diamond's life story, revealing secrets you have never been told until now. Inside, you will journey billions of years into the past to witness how diamonds are formed under unimaginable pressure deep beneath the Earth's surface. You will walk the ancient trade routes of India and Rome, stand amid the rushes of South Africa and Brazil, and step inside the high-security auctions where fortunes are won and legacies are passed down.

What makes one diamond more valuable than another? How did these stones come to symbolize love, power, and permanence across every culture? What is the real impact of mining, and can diamonds be ethically sourced? How do you tell a natural diamond from a synthetic one, and why does it matter?

Whether you are a collector, investor, jewelry enthusiast, student of history or geology, or someone simply curious about the story behind the stone in your ring, this book will captivate your imagination. Each chapter unpacks a new facet: the science, the legends, the cutting techniques, the valuation systems, the global markets, and the controversies that have shaped the diamond's legacy.

By the time you turn the last page, you will not just understand natural diamonds, you will see them differently. You will gain the tools to evaluate, appreciate, and even invest with confidence. You will uncover how natural diamonds still stand apart in a world increasingly filled with imitations.

In this book, you will discover:

  • The dramatic origin story of natural diamonds and the forces that create them

  • How ancient civilizations revered and traded these stones before modern mining

  • The evolution of diamond cutting and the secrets of maximizing brilliance

  • The art and science behind grading, certification, and valuation

  • Real stories of famous diamonds, legendary discoveries, and record-breaking sales

  • Ethical insights including conflict zones, sustainability, and responsible sourcing

  • How diamonds continue to shape culture, power, and personal legacy


The Complete Guide to Natural Diamonds is more than a guide. It is a window into a world where geology meets human ambition, where beauty and history collide, and where value is not only seen but deeply understood.

Curious? Then you are already halfway there. The rest of the journey begins inside these pages.

Product Details

BN ID: 2940184743554
Publisher: Megan Donnel Publication
Publication date: 08/24/2025
Series: Lab Grown Diamonds Vs Natural Diamonds , #2
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
File size: 433 KB

About the Author

Tim Colten is a Colorado-based materials scientist and researcher with a passion for bridging advanced science and ethical innovation. A graduate of Harvard University with a focus on crystallography and applied physics, Tim has spent over a decade working at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and luxury materials. Drawing on his experience in both laboratory environments and industrial consulting, Tim has become a recognized voice in the lab-grown diamond sector. His work explores not just the chemistry and physics of synthetic gemstones, but also the cultural, economic, and environmental implications of their rise. When he's not in the lab or writing, Tim can be found hiking the Rockies, experimenting with 3D printing, or speaking at industry conferences on the future of sustainable luxury . The Complete Guide to Lab-Grown Diamonds is his first book a culmination of his research, industry insight, and commitment to making science accessible and relevant to today's most pressing consumer conversations.
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews