Diamond: A Journey to the Heart of an Obsession

Superb book, excellent content and exceptionally well researched by an obviously knowledgeable author.

This is a terrific book, very well researched and a fascinating journey through the industry; from the mining and manufacturing of rough goods, to the final sale of the beautiful finished product. I bought this book because I was an apprentice diamond sawyer (not the same as a diamond "cutter") from 1978-1982 and it was fun to read about so many familiar people in the industry, including my father Ned Salzman who was a master diamond sawyer for over 50 years. For those readers not familiar with Manhattan's Diamond District on W. 47th Street off Fifth Avenue in the heart of NYC, this book will read like an exciting novel. For those of us associated with the business, especially those who worked on "the block," it reads like a nostalgiac novel about our friends and family. I would have liked it if this book had more pictures (of my dad marking stones with Herbie Lieberman, of Billy Goldberg in his office, of my uncle George Saltzman, of some of the smaller manufacturers on the block)... all in all I highly recommend this book to all readers.

An extraordinary history of the diamond. Featuring when Canadian discovery captured over 1/3 of worlds supply. Had 13 miles of gold placer mining deposits in Alaska. Now restaked for diamonds.

Interesting reading giving insight into an unknown world

A must read.