Collecting and Classifying Coloured Diamonds

by Stephen C. Hofer

Hidden within the geological formations of our planet are some of the most unique and beautiful expressions of nature: fancy coloured diamonds. For centuries, these mysterious, exotic, and rare gemstones have been admired by connoisseurs, analyzed by gemologists, and coveted by collectors. Collecting and Classifying Coloured Diamonds, provides a detailed and handsomely illustrated account of these unusual gemstones.

Using the Aurora Collection of 260 fancy colour diamonds as its foundation, Collecting and Classifying Coloured Diamonds, explores the gamut of colours displayed by diamonds in nature and, in a format for both the layperson and the expert, investigates how diamond colours are perceived, measured, and classified. The Aurora Collection, considered one of the finest in the world, has been on exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History in New York since 1989.

Collecting and Classifying Coloured Diamonds was created to be a joy to look at, a pleasure to read, and a detailed reference for anyone interested in learning about nature's diverse expressions of colours in diamond. It will be of great interest to the general public as well as an indispensable tool for members of the diamond trade.

Collecting and Classifying Coloured Diamonds is also a valuable addition to libraries, institutions of higher learning, and an essential book for connoisseurs and collectors of coloured diamonds.

In addition to a comprehensive yet easy to read text, Collecting and Classifying Coloured Diamonds presents the reader with:

More than 700 colour photographs

More than 650 black and white diagrams

More than 300 quotations relating to coloured diamonds

Chart listing coloured diamonds on public exhibit

Charts denoting rarity for various diamond colours

Chart denoting highest prices for various colours

Chart denoting twelve colour varieties of diamond

More than 275 diamond colours classified

More than 560 terms defined in the glossary

More than 1200 books and articles referenced

More than 1400 coloured diamonds referenced

742 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1998

Reviews

[Richard Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1996, a fancy quarter carat red diamond sold at Christies for $326,800 per carat the equivalent of forty-six million dollars per ounce. The following year another sub-carater, a ninety-five point fancy purplish red sold for $928,315 per carat or one hundred forty-four million dollars per ounce. At this point any lingering doubts were erased, colored diamonds were not only the most expensive items on earth, their prices had entered outer space.

Stephen Hofer's book is the second and certainly the most comprehensive book on colored diamonds to appear in the past two decades. To call Hofer's book comprehensive is, in fact, something of an understatement. This tome, which weighs in the area of ten pounds, ranks not only a definitive treatment of colored diamonds it also contains one of the most interesting and relevant essays on the subject of color science as it relates to gemstones yet published.

The books major theme is a through-going study of the famous Aurora Collection of colored diamonds. Along the way Hofer also offers a logical new approach to colored diamond grading, a color classification system including a new short-hand system of notation and an excellent essay on gemstone lighting.

Had this book covered any one of these subjects as well as Hofer, it would be an important work. As it covers all of the above better than almost anyone has done before, it is a breathtaking tour de force.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amzing book. I had no idea nor did I expect the world of colored diamonds to be so broad and deeply researched. The book can be technical in many areas, but it is not overly so. The author even states that he left much of the overly technical stuff out. The photography is amazing as well. The full spectrum of colors is represented and many more are possible. The only downside is the price tag. At a whopping $300!