‘A diamond is forever’, according to De Beers. Ian Fleming corrupted the by-line but not the message in the title of an early James Bond novel. And of course Marilyn Monroe sang famously that ‘diamonds are a girl’s best friend.’ “There are those who say these are glittering facets of a gigantic hoax. I say there is a far better reason for the hold diamonds have on us than the perpetuation of a myth by De Beers”. With those words Nick Norman opens the romantic and intriguing world of diamonds. This fabulously illustrated book is as much a testimony to the astonishing wonders of nature as to the ingenuity and determination of the men and women in this unique industry. Behind the myth lies an extraordinary and fascinating story, which stretches back to the deep geological time of the Earth’s formation. The diamond is unique among gems, its industry equally so. No other stone has aroused such passion, no business attracted such controversy and nowhere else can one discover such a kaleidoscope of characters.