Find out the actual value of diamonds, including the most important factors to consider when selling jewellery. The Real Value of Diamonds: More Than Just Jewels. The value of diamonds has soared over time, with several factors influencing its price rise. What Is the Real Value Of A Diamond? Many people often misunderstand the actual value of diamonds.
What Qualities Make a Diamond Valuable?
Diamonds have been considered a symbol of luxury and wealth for centuries. Their unique properties, such as brilliance, hardness, and rarity, have made them highly sought after. But not all diamonds are created equal, and understanding the qualities that make a diamond valuable is essential when evaluating a piece of diamond jewellery.
The evaluation of a diamond’s value is based on the Four Cs, which are the key factors in determining a diamond’s quality and worth.
The Four Cs are:
- Cut: The cut of a diamond refers to the angles, proportions, and symmetry of the stone and how well it has been cut to maximise its light performance and overall beauty. A well-cut diamond will have maximum brightness, fire, and scintillation.
- Clarity: Clarity refers to internal and external blemishes and inclusions within the diamond. The fewer and smaller the blemishes and inclusions, the higher the clarity and the more valuable the diamond is.
- Carat Weight: Carat weight refers to the size of the diamond and is a measure of its weight, not its size. Larger diamonds are generally more valuable than smaller diamonds of equal quality.
- Colour: The presence of colour in a diamond can lower its value. The most valuable diamonds are completely colourless, rated on a scale from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown).
By considering these Four Cs, you can understand the quality and worth of a diamond. It’s important to note that while the Four Cs are the standard for evaluating diamond value, other factors can also impact a diamond’s worth, such as its origin, certification, and demand.
Additionally, the origin of the diamond and any certifications it may have, such as a grading report from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), can also impact its value.
How to Grade a Diamond’s Cut and Clarity
Grading the cut and clarity of a diamond is crucial in determining its value.
A diamond’s cut refers to its shape, the precision of its angles, and the symmetry of its facets. How a diamond reflects light can greatly impact its overall beauty and sparkle, which is what the cut grade aims to assess. The cut grading scale for diamonds ranges from Excellent to Poor, with Excellent being the highest possible grade. It is important to note that diamonds with higher cut grades are typically more valuable due to their exceptional light reflection properties.
The clarity of a diamond is another critical factor in determining its value. This refers to the presence of any internal inclusions or external blemishes on the diamond’s surface. The clarity grading scale ranges from Flawless to Included, with Flawless being the highest grade and indicating that the diamond has no visible inclusions or blemishes. Diamonds with higher clarity grades are generally more valuable because they have fewer imperfections and thus have a more visually appealing appearance.
The Impact of Colour on the Value of Your Diamonds