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A Story of Diamonds, Family, and a Way of Life
Scribner
July 2011
On Sale: July 19, 2011
368 pages
ISBN: 1416545123
EAN: 9781416545125
Hardcover
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Non-Fiction
In the middle of New York City lies a neighborhood where all secrets are valuable, all assets are liquid, and all deals are sealed with a blessing rather than a contract. Welcome to the diamond district. Ninety percent of all diamonds that enter America pass through these few blocks, but the inner workings of this mysterious world are known only to the people who inhabit it. In Precious Objects, twenty-six-year-old journalist Alicia Oltuski, the daughter and granddaughter of diamond dealers, seamlessly blends family narrative with literary reportage to reveal the fascinating secrets of the diamond industry and its madcap characters: an Elvis-impersonating dealer, a duo of diamond-detective brothers, and her own eccentric father. With insight and drama, Oltuski limns her familyβs diamond-paved move from communist Siberia to a displaced persons camp in postβWorld War II Germany to New Yorkβs diamond district, exploring the connections among Jews and the industry, the gem and its lore, and the exotic citizens of this secluded world. Entertaining and illuminating, Precious Objects offers an insiderβs look at the history, business, and society behind one of the worldβs most coveted natural resources, providing an unforgettable backstage pass to an extraordinary and timeless show.
 Media BuzzMarketplace - PRI - August 4, 2011
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