Based in Melbourne, Holloway is a geologist turned jeweller and is one of the world’s leading authorities on diamond cut quality. He is the inventor of the Ideal-Scope and the Holloway Cut Adviser and owns two jewellery stores in Victoria.
The 352-page ‘How To Select The Best Diamonds: Insider Secrets’ is an exhaustive exploration of the diamond trade and tackles many myths and misconceptions.
“I wrote this book out of frustration,” he jokingly told Jeweller.
“Diamond grading reports, otherwise known as certifications or certs, are misguiding consumers. This book will be a vital resource for anyone selling high-value diamonds and jewellery.”
He added: “If you learn anything from this book, it should be that the value of the best diamonds is held back by being given the same grade as average quality stones.”
The book is divided into four key sections - Diamond Buying Basics, An In-Depth Look At Diamonds, The Business of Diamonds, and Additional Research.
Anyone familiar with Holloway’s work will not be surprised to learn that he does not mince words on several controversial topics.
Among the topics addressed is his assertion that diamond grading reports, or certs, are merely tools designed to increase sales and do not offer consumers any protection.
He also details the historic flaws of the 4Cs grading system and how these flaws continue to trouble jewellery retailers and diamond suppliers.
He also suggests that laboratories should provide face-up colour grades alongside traditional colour grades through the back of the stone.
Holloway has written the book as a resource for first-time diamond purchasers, serious collectors, and industry buyers and sellers – hoping to bridge the knowledge gap and offer something valuable for everyone.
As such, it will also address many misconceptions that those familiar with the trade will understand yet persist among the general public.
Holloway said that his life goal is to improve the cut quality and visual performance of diamonds and make shopping for beautiful jewellery accessible for everyone.
“If you want to read about diamonds, you can always visit the internet. It has an enormous amount of information about diamonds; however, much of it is wrong, misleading, or worse, deceptive,” the book begins.
“The last thing you need is more regurgitated information – you need knowledge.”
The Kindle and paperback editions have just been published and are available on Amazon.
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