The best and safest way to buy a diamond is with a
Certification. That way you have a permanent record of your diamonds' Carat
weight, Clarity (inclusion plotting), Colour, and Cut (symmetry) with proportioning
and a
registered Certification number. This is not the same as an appraisal which is done
solely to determine replacement value but is a layout of your diamonds' most important
features, namely the Four C's. The certification will also
inform of laser drilling or clouding which some stores do not divulge to the
consumer.
Stores that sell without Certification may misrepresent a diamond's true
value.
Jewellers Bench recommends reputable diamond Certifications
such as GIA, EGL, IGI, PGS. Some of the most
common Certification Labs are GIA, EGL, AGS and IGI in the U.S. Note, a diamond certification is the safest way to buy, it covers all aspects of a diamond but does not give a replacement price like an appraisal.
Today's diamonds range from excellent quality to
poor. Jewellers Bench always
recommend that our clients look at the loose diamond under magnification with a binocular
microscope not a hand-held loupe. Under the microscope even the inexperienced can
spot inclusions and clouding within a diamond.
Beware of the following:
Stones that are cloudy or hazy. These stones should sell for less (10% to 50%) than a diamond of the same colour and clarity. At present this does not have to be divulged
to the consumer.
When buying a diamond by following the ideal diamond proportion parameters of table 53% to 58% and depth 59% to 62.5%, your diamond will have higher value than going under or above these percentages, which could affect price 10% to 50%. All full diamond certifications divulge diamond proportions on certificates. Not all appraisals will even mention diamond proportions.
Laser-drilled diamonds. This has become more prevalent recently.
The diamond is drilled to a black inclusion within the stone and acid is applied to
draw the blackness out of the inclusion. The process leaves a small hole in the
diamond that looks like fine line with a white tint These stones should also sell
for less and are hard to identify unless you have a certification on the diamond.
At present this does not have to be divulged to the consumer in Canada (only in the USA). This also affects a percentage of price.
Clarity enhanced diamonds. This process optically eliminates feathers which are naturally occurring imperfections in most diamonds. The result is a more visually stunning diamond that you can purchase for significantly less than a similar looking non-enhanced diamond. The process is stable under normal wear although the treatment can be damaged by direct heat of a torch or boiling acids or bases.
Colour enhanced diamonds. This process changes the colour grade of diamonds from lower to higher by 2 to 4 colour grades.
Did you know?
When you see an item being sold with an appraised value and with a
different selling price, are you aware that appraisals usually give you a replacement cost
that is higher in price? This is due to the appraiser having to cover the cost of
the replacement of the item no matter what store you choose to use.