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PREFACE
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The
diamond, aside from its glitter and glamor and in spite of its cold
imperturbability, is an explosive, controversial subject, with many
facets of human, historical, technical and popular interest. The
author approached this work not as an authority but as an objective
reporter seeking to find out all that he could about the diamond. His
discoveries and reactions he has put down with all the accuracy,
impartiality and completeness his talents permitted. He has declined
either to ''plead a cause" or to present an "expose?' Nor has he been
awe-stricken or intimidated by the sparkling glory and tradition of the
diamond.
The
author wishes to express his deep appreciation to Mr. Jack Baumgold, of
Baumgold Brothers, the New York diamond cutters, for inspiration and
encouragement in the preparation of the book. Additional thanks are due
to Mr. H. T. Dickinson, technical director of De Beers Consolidated
Mines, Ltd. and Associated Companies, of Kimber-ley, South Africa, for
his advice and criticisms; to Mr. Fred V. Cole, editor of Jewelers Circular-Keystone,
for shrewd and good-humored suggestions; to Mr. Robert M. Shipley,
President of the Gemological Institute of America, for permitting to
be tapped his Vast fund of gem knowledge; to Miss Dorothy Dignam,
diamond fashion authority, for an impressive array of facts about her
pet subject; to Mr. Sam Kafka, for certain technical information, and
to the authors of the books, pamphlets and articles represented in the
Bibliography.
The Author
New York City
November 25,1941
(ix)
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