This book covers the same territory that was given a much more thorough treatment in The Book of Diamonds by Joan Younger Dickinson (Crown, 1965, p. 293). It gives their origin and history, methods of mining and cutting, major mines- the De Beers story, the use of industrial diamonds, major gems and their backgrounds- the Cullinan Diamond, crown jewels etc. But evidently Mr. Argenzio has not heard as many stories as Miss Dickinson has or as many details. He does have a slight edge over her when it comes to investment and buying tips. A professional jeweler, he carefully explains the qualities to look for in a stone--weight, clarity, cut and finish as well as beauty, brilliance and fire; how to examine a stone; where to buy and the customer's rights in dealing with jewelry salesmen. But on the whole it's a four carat book as opposed to the earlier sixteen carat one.