Precious Objects: A Story of Diamonds, Family, and a Way of Life
“With revealing observations on the centuries-old link between Jews and the diamond industry, and sparkling accounts of her familial ties to the business…. Oltuski, daughter of a diamond dealer, brings clarity in this study of the industry.” –Publishers Weekly"A piercing, intensely readable book. Ms. Oltuski guides us through New York's diamond business, one of the world's most fascinating and hard-to-penetrate communities, with great aplomb." -Gary Shteyngart, author ofSuper Sad True Love Story"Alicia Oltuski is an intrepid journalist able to write with precision and insight about the big issues in the diamond trade and the intimate details of life on Forty-Seventh Street." -Tony Hall, U.S. Representative"Beautiful and thrilling,Precious Objects, sparkles with life. Alicia Oltuski tells both the story of her family, as glittering as the gems they sell, and the story of the diamonds that have taken them all over the world and across the generations. A fascinating and gripping read." -Jennifer Gilmore, author ofSomething Red“A warm and detailed tour of a fascinating culture that hides in plain sight. You'll never see a diamond twinkling on a woman's finger without remembering the remarkable characters in Oltuski's book.” -Dan Baum, author ofCitizen Coors"Epic in scope and wonderfully personal,Precious Objectsis an impassioned, insider's take on a complex industry. What's most dazzling are Ms. Oltuski's characters, who are vivid, outrageous, and never without some glimmers of wisdom." -Beth Raymer, author ofLay the Favorite