How to estimate the value of a diamond
A diamond is a gem that has symbolized love and celebration for centuries, whether it be in the form of an engagement ring or diamond studs. After all, it is one of the most impressive natural materials present on earth. The strength and efficacy of diamonds as well as their scarcity has made them a popular preference for jewelry.
If you plan to get pure diamond jewellery, it can be an expensive affair to put your money in. However, it is possible to estimate the value of a diamond by paying attention to a few key features. Let us know more about estimating the value of a diamond.
The 4 C’s
The value of a diamond is determined by its 4 Cs: the carat weight, cut, color, clarity. A diamond’s value is determined by an appraiser using these dimensions. In the case of a diamond ring, the quality, type, and purity of the band are assessed and valued separately, and added to the overall value of the ring.
- Carat: The weight of the diamond is a major factor in its valuation. One carat is equal to 0.007055 ounces or 200 milligrams. The heavier the weight of the diamond, the pricier it is. However, other factors may come into play and influence the overall quality and value of a diamond.
- Color: Diamonds are available in various colors such as pink, yellow, black, etc. white, or colorless diamonds are the most commonly dealt with in diamonds. Diamonds are color-graded in diamond grading laboratory under controlled conditions. The body color of the diamond is compared to round brilliant diamonds of known color to grade a diamond. The more colorless a diamond is, the more valuable it is. Colorless diamonds allow easier passage of light and result in easier and greater dispersion of light. Diamond colors can range from light yellow to brown or even gray and black. Diamonds with identical carat, clarity, and cut can have a significant difference in their value based on only the color of the diamond.
- Clarity: Clarity refers to the description of the diamond’s purity. The amount and location of external marks, called blemishes, as well as the internal flaws, known as inclusions, determine the clarity of the diamond. The lesser the flaws of a diamond, the rarer it is, and the more is its value. However, beyond a certain level of clarity, the difference between diamonds cannot be determined by the naked eye. All diamonds are systematically graded and plotted by various diamond grading labs under 10X magnification. The assigned clarity grades rate the diamond from being flawless to being imperfect to the naked eye.
- Cut: The cut of a diamond controls the amount of light that the diamond will reflect. It allows the right amount of light to interact with every angle and facet of the diamond and unleashes its beauty. Based on the cut, the greater the brightness, scattering of light, and amount of sparkle in a diamond, the more is its value.
The overall value of a diamond will be affected by the rarity of one or more than one of the 4 Cs. Larger carat diamonds are rare and are priced higher per carat as compared to smaller ones. A colorless diamond is rarer than a yellow or gray diamond and will have a significantly higher price. When shopping for diamond jewelry, one should always visit the website and check the diamond certification before making a purchase.
Now that you know all the important factors that may affect the value of a diamond, make sure you pay attention to every facet of the diamond and buy the one that best suits your budget.