Diamonds aren’t scarce, and if anything, they are the most common precious stone. They are, however, extremely costly, which is why you should know their pricing to avoid being ripped off.
As a general rule of thumb, when purchasing precious metals and stones, you should consider purity, carat, and cut. This will help you resell jewelry and reduce the chances of being duped.
For diamond, in particular, consider the 4 Cs—carat, color, clarity, and cut. These are the four factors that determine the value of a diamond. Here is a more detailed explanation:
4 Key Factors That Determine a Diamond’s Value
1. Carat
The weight of precious stones is measured in metric carats, and one carat equals 0.2 grams (paperclip weight). However, the word carat should never be confused with karat, which relates to the purity of gold.
‘Carat’ originates from the carob seed. Early gem traders used these tiny seeds as counterweights in their balancing scales because of their equal weight.
In 1913, the United States and other countries adopted the contemporary metric carat equal to 0.2 grams. In today’s globe, a carat weighs the same in every country.
Just like a dollar is divided into 100 cents, a carat is divided into 100 points. A 50-point diamond, for example, weighs 0.50 carats. Most diamonds found in jewelry are generally one carat or less.
2. Clarity
Diamonds generally feature unique birthmarks, internal (inclusions), and exterior (blemishes) imperfections. This is typical because they form deep under the earth under intense heat and pressure. The lack of these flaws and imperfections is referred to as diamond clarity.
Diamonds without such imperfections are unusual, and rarity impacts the value of a diamond. To determine the clarity of diamonds, graders use the GIA system and consider clarity characteristics visible under 10× magnification.
Ranging from the most valued, here are the 11 grades:
• Flawless (FL) – There are no apparent imperfections or defects.
• Internally Flawless (IF) – No inclusions, and only blemishes are difficult to spot.
• Very, Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) – Inclusions are difficult to notice.
• Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) – Minor inclusions ranging from complex to moderately easy to spot.
• Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) – Inclusions are noticeable
• Included (I1, I2, and I3) – Inclusions are evident and may detract from the transparency and brilliance of the diamond.
3. Color
Diamond color is all about what you can’t see. When it comes to color, the value is determined by how close it is to colorlessness – the less the color, the greater the discount. Colorless to near-colorless diamonds with hues of yellow or brown are typically the most common in jewelry stores.
In color, there is also a standard GIA scale. The scale starts with the letter D, which is colorless and progresses to the letter Z, which stands for pale yellow or brown.
The most expensive diamond is rated D, which has no color. The rating changes alphabetically from D to Z as the hue changes and the value depreciates proportionately. However, note that fancy color diamonds, such as pinks and blues, are an exception because they fall outside this color range.
Remember that many color distinctions are pretty subtle and oblivious to a layman. They are, however, so important that they can result in a significant difference in diamond quality and price.
4. Cut
The cut is significant because it is the main factor determining a diamond’s brilliance, sparkle, and fire. The cut quality is the one major factor determining a diamond’s beauty and allure.
Furthermore, diamond has cleavage planes which means that if it is dropped at a specific angle, it can shatter or crack despite being the most burdensome stone. In this light, it should be set and cut carefully.
Cut should also not be confused with shape. Shapes include oval, pear, round, and so on. On the other hand, cut is the arrangement of facets to create a captivating look.
It’s crucial to remember that there are a lot of different percentage combinations that might alter how the diamond interacts with light and how appealing it is to the person looking at it. You can therefore choose depending on your preference.
Sell Your Diamond to Us or Pawn It – Jamaica Pawn Brokers
As can be seen, a diamond’s value is determined by various elements. Our qualified GIA graders will look at your diamond and tell you its value based on the 4Cs above. Get a free evaluation of your diamond in just a few minutes.
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