Overview

From the author of Women from the Ankle Down comes a lively cultural biography of diamonds, which explores our society’s obsession with the world’s most brilliant gemstone and the real-world characters who make them shine. “A diamond is forever.” Who among us doesn’t recognize this phrase and, with it, the fascination that these shiny gemstones hold in our collective imagination as symbols of royalty, stars, and eternal love But who gave us this catchphrase Where do these gemstones and their colorful legacies originate How did they become our culture’s symbol of engagement and marriage Why have they retained their coveted status throughout the centuries Rachelle Bergstein’s cultural biography of the diamond illuminates the enticing, often surprising story of our society’s enduring obsession with the hardest gemstone—and the people who have worked tirelessly to ensure its continued allure. From the South African mines where most diamonds have been sourced since the late 1890s to the companies who have fought to monopolize them; from the stars who have dazzled in them to the people behind the scenes who have carefully crafted our understanding of their value—Brilliance and Fire offers a glittering history of the world’s most coveted gemstone and its greatest champions and most colorful enthusiasts. Brilliance and Fire is illustrated with 16 pages of color photographs.

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9780062323774

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Reviews

Across oceans and centuries, citizens and kings, the diamond has reigned as the lion of jewels. The reasons why, and how, sparkle--with intimate, historical, authoritative detail--all through Bergstein's sweeping tale of the destructive and restorative powers of beauty, and our love affair, even obsession, with this enigmatic rock. -- Sam Wasson, author of Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. A fleet-footed social history. -- New York Times on Women from the Ankle Down A lively look at the history of stilettos, sneakers and sundry other leather- and rubber-soled objects of swoon. -- USA Today on Women from the Ankle Down If style defines the woman, and shoes a woman's style, then ooh la la, here's the definitive history and guide--everything from Chinese bound feet to Ferragamo, from Hollywood favorites to running up one's credit card on the sine qua non of fashion. -- Mireille Guiliano, author of French Women Don't Get Fat, on Women from the Ankle Down

Author Information

Rachelle Bergstein was born in Englewood, New Jersey, just a quick trip over the George Washington Bridge to NYC. While attending high school, she worked at a local café and saved her tips to spend on books and vintage clothing.She received a degree in English Literature at Vassar College, where she received recognition for her academic writing, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and met her fiance. Upon graduation, she moved to Brooklyn where she worked as a cocktail waitress before setting into an entry-level job at a literary agency.Rachelle is looking forward to her upcoming wedding in January 2012, to her fiance Andrew who is Assistant P

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