My Pink Diamonds

New synthetic diamonds are so closely resemble mined diamonds
that the naked eye cannot tell the difference, often saving
consumers enough money to make a down-payment on a new home or
buy a car. Unfounded diamond jeweler arrogance, pretentiousness,
and snootiness has gone too far!

My girlfriend has been parading around town with a magnificent
4-carat Round Brilliant cut synthetic diamond set in a stunning
14K solid gold filigree solitaire ring setting for a year now.
She has been to restaurants, work, shopping, night clubs,
museums, and parties. Family and friends have scrutinized her
ring. She has been stopped repeatedly by others who were
dumbfounded by her ring. Hundreds of people have seen her ring,
astonished by its majesty, gushing about it. And despite its
ostentatious size, no one has asked if it is a fake diamond!

How could this be? The latest breakthrough science in
lab-created diamonds has brought them in line with mined
diamonds. Long gone is the aurora borealis or “disco ball”
effect that was seen in synthetic diamonds of the past decades.
New millennium synthetic diamonds—with similar hardness,
clarity, fire, and brilliance—are indistinguishable with the
naked eye and simply don’t look fake. High quality synthetic
diamonds even have the coveted hearts-and-arrows effect.

This begs the question: If one were to saunter into a jewelry
store with a synthetic diamond, can a jeweler tell the
difference? Since all mined diamonds have color disparities
(flaws), birthmarks (flaws), and inclusions (flaws), and
lab-created diamonds have none of the above, a trained eye can
tell the difference. A sneering glance under a loupe or even
under discriminating examination with a magnifying glass, a
jeweler will often proudly declare a synthetic diamond as a
fake. Modern synthetic diamonds are too perfect in the world of
jeweler snobbery when pushing over-priced high profit diamonds
is the agenda at hand.

With the use of scientific testing equipment, mined diamonds
will conduct electricity and synthetic diamonds will not. That
is because mined diamonds are a carbon gem material and
synthetic diamonds are polycrystalline. A thermal probe will
produce different readings, differentiating the two. But does
this really matter to a jewelry lover who is interested in
aesthetic beauty and saving thousands of dollars? In the year my
girlfriend has been showcasing her synthetic diamond on her
finger; no one has walked up to her with scientific equipment
asking to test her gemstone.

Why do virtually all brick-and-mortar jewelers carry only mined
diamonds? Why do jewelers scoff at synthetic diamonds? You need
to look no further than your wallet. A 1-carat high quality
mined diamond is about $3000, a 2-carat about $18,000, a 3-carat
about $40,000, and a 4-carat goes for about $90,000.
Respectively, synthetic diamonds run about $79, $158, $237, and
$326. It’s about the money. Don’t kid yourself.

It’s also about indoctrination. For over a century, the diamond
cartel has spent billions of dollars convincing the public that
jewel quality mined diamonds have intrinsic value like gold. Not
true. Why? During this time DeBeers has limited production,
bought up supplies from others, stockpiled inventory, and
imposed its monopoly position on jewelry manufacturers in the
successful effort to keep prices inflated. And to make matters
worse, the diamond industry as a whole has a checkered past with
conflict stones, debt-slave child labor in India used in cutting
operations, and shady techniques used to enhance perceived
quality to further squeeze out ridiculous prices from
beleaguered jewelry lovers.

Smart jewelry shoppers today are considering synthetic diamonds
as an alternative to mined diamonds for some very savvy reasons:
(1) They can acquire fine jewelry pieces set in solid 14K gold.
(2) They will save literally thousands of dollars. (3) There is
no need to buy insurance. (4) When wearing there synthetic
diamond jewelry nobody will know that they are not mined
diamonds unless they tell them!

Diamond Cut…The Basics: Step 1 – Understanding diamond “certs”Chapter 2If you are going to purchase a diamond, and know what you are getting when you purchase it, you need to be able to understand the information that is presented on a “lab grading report”, and how the information was obtained. Having this knowledge will further assist you to know if any follow up/independent data, presented to you by the jeweler, in conjunction with a “lab grading report”, is valid and accurate. Here are several examples of “lab grading reports”. To gain a better understanding of how information is broken down on a lab report, we will examine one line by line. NOTE: We will not be discussing the relevance of this information to the diamond’s cut quality, as that will be done in detail later on in this tutorial. GIA Lab Grading ReportFigure 2.1

EGL USA Lab Grading ReportFigure 2.2

For the purposes of this tutorial, we will examine the AGS Lab Grading Report. Most reports have similar information on them and are simply arranged differently. Immediately below is the full copy of the “lab grading report”. Since the lettering on this report is quite small, we have included enlarged portions of the report below that will allow us to examine the information contained in this report more closely.AGS Lab Grading ReportFigure 2.3

Figure 2.4

Figure 2.5

Figure 2.6

If we examine Figure 2.4, we see that this area of the report displays the basic information about the diamond. Let’s break this down point by point•    Shape and Style

•    Measurements

•    Cut Grade

•    Color Grade

•    Clarity Grade

•    Carat Weight

NOTE: A very important fact to understand about Color and Clarity is that the grading standards vary widely from on grading laboratory to another. Some of have much stricter standards than others, and this is something that should be carefully considered before purchasing a diamond. Looking at Figure 2.5, we can see a proportion map of the diamond, with basic proportion and measurement data. The first thing that we notice when looking at this, is that the only two standards of measurements used are Percentages and Degrees. The very first measurement of the diamond is the 100%, which is equal to the average diameter of the stone at its widest point, the girdle. It is based off of this percentage that all of the other percentage measurements are calculated.Directly under this measurement, we can see the 55.4% measurement. This is the diameter of the Table Facet, expressed in a percentage of the total average diameter. The vertical line along the left had diamond is the measurement of the Total Depth of the diamond, again, expressed as a percentage of the total average diameter, in this case, 61.9%The vertical line along the right side of the diamond, broken into three different measurements essentially breaks down the factors that make up the total depth of the diamond. These three factors are called Crown Height, Girdle Thickness, and Pavilion Depth.  In this case you can see the three measurements are as follows.•    Crown Height – 15.5%•    Girdle Thickness – 1.6% to 4.4%•    Pavilion Depth – 42.8%The two angle measurements on the left hand side of the graph are the Crown Angle and Pavilion Angle measurements. In this case, the Crown Angle is 34.8 degrees, and the Pavilion angle is 40.6 degrees.The two numbers in the diamond represent facet length measurements.  The measurement in the small facets on top is the Star Facet Length, and the measurement in the slightly larger facets on the bottom is the Lower Girdle Facet Length. For this diamond, the Star Facets measure 51% and the Lower Girdle Facet’s measure 75%. It is very important to understand that these two percentages are not calculated against the total depth. Rather Star Facet Lengths are expressed as a percentage of the total distance between the edge of the Table and the edge of the Girdle. Lower Girdle Facet Lengths are expressed in a percentage of the total distance between the Culet and the edge of the Girdle. (See illustration below)Star Fact MeasurementThe Green arrow, in Figure 2.7, represents 100% of the distance from the edge of the TABLE to the edge of the GIRDLE. The STAR FACET measurement is expressed as a percentage of the total measurement.Figure 2.7

Lower Girdle Facet MeasurementThe green arrow in Figure 2.8 represents 100% of the distance between the edge of the GIRDLE and the CULET. The LOWER GIRDLE FACET measurement is expressed as a percentage of the total measurement. Figure 2.8

Lastly at the bottom, we see the Culet Size. This is almost always expressed as a word. Culet sizes vary including sizes of None, Pointed, Very Small, Small, Medium, etc.The last graphic we see, Figure 2.6, is the Clarity Plot of the diamond. This is where the grading inclusions, that were visible at 10x magnification, are plotted by the grader. Clarity has already been discussed in brief in the Emma Parker & Co. Diamond Tutorial, however there are some simple hints to help you spot important information on the Clarity Plot. All inclusions plotted in RED INK are INTERNAL inclusions. All inclusions plotted in GREEN INK are EXTERNAL inclusions. This basic walk through of the information that is listed on a lab grading report will give you a good foundation in what information you will be presented with later on in this tutorial, and what each measurement relates to. In the following chapters we are going to dig deeper into cut, what to look for in a great cut, what tools and reports are useful in looking for a good cut and how to read them, and more. Written by Timothy Andre, Emma Parker & Co.     www.emmaparkerdiamonds.com

There is no greater gift than diamonds. If you want to give her a gift that she will like, you can buy her a pair of diamond earrings or a diamond necklace.  Both diamond necklaces and earrings are gifts that the wearer usually keeps forever. When buying these gifts, you want to be sure that you use a jeweler that has a stellar reputation and has been in business for quite some time. She will love any gift of gold and diamonds. 

Diamond necklaces come in many different styles. You can find diamond necklaces in stunning white 18 karat gold. The style you choose depends on what type of diamond you want as well as the weight of the gem. Like gold, diamonds are measured in karats. The measurement signifies the size and weight of the diamond. When choosing diamond necklaces, it is important to note that the karat is usually the total weight of all of the diamonds in the piece. In some cases, diamond necklaces can also contain other precious gems. Diamond necklaces are often pendants that hang from a chain around the neck. 

If the woman in your life has pierced ears and likes to wear earrings, you can get her a pair of diamond earrings. Diamond earrings that are sold by fine jewelers are sold in pairs. You can get them set in 18 karat white gold in many different styles. The diamond earrings are often set with other gems as well. Diamond earrings make a fine gift for any woman in your life. 

Diamonds are considered to be the ultimate in precious stones. While diamond rings are often considered engagement rings, diamond necklaces and diamond earrings are ideal gifts for any women. Most women like diamonds and savor these precious gems. Most diamond jewelry is given as a gift. 

When buying diamond necklaces or diamond earrings, you can make a purchase online. Diamond earrings and necklaces do not have to be measured and can be purchased online and delivered or purchased in the store.  Because you want to be assured of the quality of the diamonds, it is a good idea to buy the jewelry from a jeweler that can be trusted. Diamonds are not just priced on size, but on the quality of the diamond. 

When you are buying fine jewelry, you need to be careful of discounts on precious gems, including diamonds as they often feature gems that are flawed. Many diamonds that are purchased at discount chains are flawed.  When you purchase diamonds from fine jewelers, you can be assured of getting higher quality diamonds. Unlike other gifts that you give to someone, diamonds are a gift that appreciates in value. This means that the diamond earrings and diamond necklaces will be worth more as time goes on and the price of diamonds goes up. 

In addition to being valued for being precious gems, diamond necklaces and earrings are also valued for their gold or platinum settings. The more the price of precious gems and metals goes up, so does the gift. Diamond earrings and necklaces are not only beautiful, but they are valuable gifts. 

When people talk about Diamond Studs, what they are probably referring to are Diamond Stud Earrings. These are earrings which happen to use a diamond or diamonds in the design setting. The base material of the Diamond Studs could be a precious metal like gold, silver or platinum.

If you are not satisfied with the designs or stones used for the existing Diamond Studs you find out there, it is always possible to get your own customized Diamond Studs designed for you by the jeweler of your choice. The nice thing about customized Diamond Studs is that you can choose the base of the Diamond Studs yourself, then pick out which diamonds you want to use.

“What? Choose a diamond? But diamonds are all alike right?” That may be what is in your mind when you hear that having your Diamond Studs custom-made means you can pick out your own diamonds. Actually, diamonds are not generic, meaning one diamond may be very different from another diamond even if the eyes of a layman think they are exactly alike. That is why Diamond Studs that may look alike can actually be very different from one another.

There are four factors that determine the value of the diamonds in your Diamond Studs. These four factors are Clarity, Color, Cut and Carat. Clarity shows how pure your diamonds in your Diamond Studs are. Color is dictated by Mother Nature and is not influenced by human skills – this shows the natural body color of your diamonds. The Cut is what is determined by the skill of the artisan. A diamond in the hands of a novice will not have as good a Cut as a diamond which was designed by an experienced artisan. You should also remember that a diamond can only be cut by another diamond – that is how hard the diamonds in your Diamond Studs are. Lastly, Carat will determine the carat weight of your individual diamonds.

Among these four factors, the Cut is considered the most important because this will help the diamond show its best brilliance, sparkle and fire. That is why the most skilled jewelers can command pretty high prices for their customized Diamond Studs. Not everyone can churn out customized Diamond Studs that are unique, special and very attractive on a consistent basis. It helps that skilled jewelers really have an eye for making your Diamond Studs look great, regardless of the original shape of the diamonds. One wrong move by the artisan and your Diamond Studs may get wrecked beyond repair and beyond redemption as far as jeweler’s standards are concerned.

That is why your jeweler has to be able to gauge the value of the diamonds to be set in your Diamond Studs accurately. To do this right, independent gemological laboratories will calculate the value of your diamonds and issue a certification stating this. The diamond has to be of a good enough shape, and possess the fire and sparkle that the user will want to see. The fire and sparkle is what you might call the “brilliance” that sets apart high end Diamond Studs from the lower end Diamond Studs.

Diamond Cut…The Basics: Step 1 – Understanding diamond “certs”Chapter 2If you are going to purchase a diamond, and know what you are getting when you purchase it, you need to be able to understand the information that is presented on a “lab grading report”, and how the information was obtained. Having this knowledge will further assist you to know if any follow up/independent data, presented to you by the jeweler, in conjunction with a “lab grading report”, is valid and accurate. Here are several examples of “lab grading reports”. To gain a better understanding of how information is broken down on a lab report, we will examine one line by line. NOTE: We will not be discussing the relevance of this information to the diamond’s cut quality, as that will be done in detail later on in this tutorial. GIA Lab Grading ReportFigure 2.1

EGL USA Lab Grading ReportFigure 2.2

For the purposes of this tutorial, we will examine the AGS Lab Grading Report. Most reports have similar information on them and are simply arranged differently. Immediately below is the full copy of the “lab grading report”. Since the lettering on this report is quite small, we have included enlarged portions of the report below that will allow us to examine the information contained in this report more closely.AGS Lab Grading ReportFigure 2.3

Figure 2.4

Figure 2.5

Figure 2.6

If we examine Figure 2.4, we see that this area of the report displays the basic information about the diamond. Let’s break this down point by point•    Shape and Style

•    Measurements

•    Cut Grade

•    Color Grade

•    Clarity Grade

•    Carat Weight

NOTE: A very important fact to understand about Color and Clarity is that the grading standards vary widely from on grading laboratory to another. Some of have much stricter standards than others, and this is something that should be carefully considered before purchasing a diamond. Looking at Figure 2.5, we can see a proportion map of the diamond, with basic proportion and measurement data. The first thing that we notice when looking at this, is that the only two standards of measurements used are Percentages and Degrees. The very first measurement of the diamond is the 100%, which is equal to the average diameter of the stone at its widest point, the girdle. It is based off of this percentage that all of the other percentage measurements are calculated.Directly under this measurement, we can see the 55.4% measurement. This is the diameter of the Table Facet, expressed in a percentage of the total average diameter. The vertical line along the left had diamond is the measurement of the Total Depth of the diamond, again, expressed as a percentage of the total average diameter, in this case, 61.9%The vertical line along the right side of the diamond, broken into three different measurements essentially breaks down the factors that make up the total depth of the diamond. These three factors are called Crown Height, Girdle Thickness, and Pavilion Depth.  In this case you can see the three measurements are as follows.•    Crown Height – 15.5%•    Girdle Thickness – 1.6% to 4.4%•    Pavilion Depth – 42.8%The two angle measurements on the left hand side of the graph are the Crown Angle and Pavilion Angle measurements. In this case, the Crown Angle is 34.8 degrees, and the Pavilion angle is 40.6 degrees.The two numbers in the diamond represent facet length measurements.  The measurement in the small facets on top is the Star Facet Length, and the measurement in the slightly larger facets on the bottom is the Lower Girdle Facet Length. For this diamond, the Star Facets measure 51% and the Lower Girdle Facet’s measure 75%. It is very important to understand that these two percentages are not calculated against the total depth. Rather Star Facet Lengths are expressed as a percentage of the total distance between the edge of the Table and the edge of the Girdle. Lower Girdle Facet Lengths are expressed in a percentage of the total distance between the Culet and the edge of the Girdle. (See illustration below)Star Fact MeasurementThe Green arrow, in Figure 2.7, represents 100% of the distance from the edge of the TABLE to the edge of the GIRDLE. The STAR FACET measurement is expressed as a percentage of the total measurement.Figure 2.7

Lower Girdle Facet MeasurementThe green arrow in Figure 2.8 represents 100% of the distance between the edge of the GIRDLE and the CULET. The LOWER GIRDLE FACET measurement is expressed as a percentage of the total measurement. Figure 2.8

Lastly at the bottom, we see the Culet Size. This is almost always expressed as a word. Culet sizes vary including sizes of None, Pointed, Very Small, Small, Medium, etc.The last graphic we see, Figure 2.6, is the Clarity Plot of the diamond. This is where the grading inclusions, that were visible at 10x magnification, are plotted by the grader. Clarity has already been discussed in brief in the Emma Parker & Co. Diamond Tutorial, however there are some simple hints to help you spot important information on the Clarity Plot. All inclusions plotted in RED INK are INTERNAL inclusions. All inclusions plotted in GREEN INK are EXTERNAL inclusions. This basic walk through of the information that is listed on a lab grading report will give you a good foundation in what information you will be presented with later on in this tutorial, and what each measurement relates to. In the following chapters we are going to dig deeper into cut, what to look for in a great cut, what tools and reports are useful in looking for a good cut and how to read them, and more. Written by Timothy Andre, Emma Parker & Co.     www.emmaparkerdiamonds.com

Never before has there been such a huge variety of wedding rings to select from. What are the most popular wedding ring trends currently?

Platinum wedding rings are extremely popular for several reasons. Firstly, the metal is very hard wearing and strong, important for a ring that will be on your finger for a long time. Platinum is also hypoallergenic, making it a sensible choice for anyone suffering from skin conditions. Who wants a wedding ring they are allergic to? Lastly, that fabulous luster is going to remain on that wedding ring. Unlike most white gold, platinum wedding rings are not plated to achieve that sheen, ensuring no visits to the jeweler to keep the shine topped up.

Titanium wedding rings make popular selections for those in contact with corrosive chemicals or harsh conditions. Titanium is also hypoallergenic. Titanium wedding rings are now available in a variety of tints for very contemporary looks. Due to the fact that titanium is almost indestructible, resizing of a wedding ring made from titanium can be problematic.

Celtic wedding rings have been around for centuries. In recent times, these often highly ornate and symbolic wedding rings have seen a huge resurgence in popularity. Due to the varied selections of Celtic knots and scrolls, there is plenty of room for individuality. Celtic wedding rings can be even more eye catching as two tone, or decorated with diamonds.

Braided wedding rings can be quite similar in appearance to Celtic wedding rings. These classics are a great choice for those who are not looking for overly ornate. Like the Celtic wedding ring, braided wedding rings can look magnificent in two and three tone metals.

Paisley wedding rings can be a great selection for those who love the Art Nouveau era. Flowers, leaves, and scrollwork are the patterns for engraving and etching. Perfect for his and hers, and stand alone wedding rings.

Wedding rings with diamonds. Both brides and grooms are increasingly opting for a little bling on their wedding band. Selections range from all over pave settings, to channel settings, to wedding rings with a row of diamonds top and bottom leaving the middle of the band free to be plain or worked, such as with Celtic knots or paisley designs.

Hammered wedding rings make great selections for the groom who wants a little visual interest and texture without too much fussiness. Hammered wedding rings are also a practical choice for anyone who is likely to be hard wearing on their wedding ring. A few dents and scratches will be much less obvious on a worked ring such as this. For extra appeal, these wedding rings are also available in two tone metals.

Two tone wedding rings are becoming increasingly popular. One of the main reasons is that the inclusion of more than one color metal ensures your wedding ring will go with all of your existing jewelry, for example, both your stainless steel watch and your gold dress watch. Two tone metals can also be a great way to incorporate both the bride and the groom’s personal metal preferences into both the wedding rings.

With all these wedding ring styles to select from, how do you stop at one?

Purchasing for a wedding can be difficult and generic. For instance, finding the right gown, bridesmaids dresses, entertainment or engagement ring is more than finding something that fits.

Whether walking into boutique or a jewelry store, making the commitment in a product foreshadows a future life commitment and represents a monumental step. Uptown Minneapolis touts some of the premier wedding shopping including jeweler, in Minneapolis. The Uptown neighborhood has long been know as a unique area, and therefore understands this unique ring buying experience.

Stores in the Lyn-Lake area have been selling unique engagement rings and wedding related items for 25 years, helping thousands of couples make their shopping experience unique. The uptown area is boastful in customer service and a “kitchy” atmosphere which is simple: “Help our customers find what they are looking for.” Ring shopping in Uptown is a great example as it makes finding an engagement ring an even more special experience. Uptown is one of the most eclectic, unique and vibrant neighborhoods in Minneapolis and Minnesota. The area is home to some of Minnesota’s trendiest restaurants, boutiques, and businesses.

With areas specializing in dress making, custom designed accessories and jewelry, the lyn-lake are is a great resource for ideal cut diamonds, unique engagement rings and custom design work. The area is also known to be a resource for a collection of upscale diamond, gold and precious stone jewelry for gifts and special occasions.

A family-owned perspective with unique atmosphere can be expected when visiting Minneapolis Uptown. This atmosphere is translated into the wedding ring industry while on-site artisans create beautiful, quality rings that would be twice as costly as comparable name brand designer jewelry.

Shoppers can browse through an impressive selection of engagement rings that range from solitaires to contemporary engagement rings to antique engagement rings. The area also offers state-of-the-art custom jewelry design software that allows the customer to make his or her dream ring a reality. Custom designs are even available in a 3-D movie format.

Ring shopping is a unique and meaningful experience that calls for experts who understand the importance of this time. Couples need professional designers, friendly help and above all unique products. The heart of Uptown acknowledges that experience and offer or create anything form a unique fitted dress to unique engagement ring that perfectly fits the couple.

Whether shopping for clothing, art or Jewelry, Minneapolis Uptown assures your experience is both unique as well as trendy. Visit the uptown area and stop at the shops on Lyn-Lake today and see just how the Uptown area is right for you.

Diamonds are very expensive, which is why anyone who buys a diamond wants to make sure they are getting best value diamonds for the money they spend. When you buy a diamond from a jeweler, whether it is a retail location or a wholesaler, it should be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
The stones in GIA diamond rings have been analyzed and assessed by GIA, which is the world’s largest non-profit gemological research institute. This institute grades only loose diamonds and when you are satisfied that you have a best value diamond, then you can choose the setting for the ring.
There are many ways in which diamonds are analyzed to determine whether they are conflict or non-conflict diamonds. Conflict diamonds come from parts of the world where the sale of the diamonds is used to finance wars and acts of terrorism.
Such diamonds are not permitted to be imported into the US, Canada, and European countries. To make sure that such stones are best value diamonds in this regard, there is a process called the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is not an appraisal of the value of the diamond, as you find with GIA diamond rings and IGI appraisals. Instead it is a certificate attesting to the fact that the diamond you purchase has not been mined or bought from one of the countries on the list of those associated with blood diamonds.
This process lays down a minimum requirement for the shipping of diamonds all over the world and must accompany diamonds shipped into the country, especially from African countries. In this way, you know that you have best value diamonds in that no one has been harmed in the mining process and that the money from the sale will not be used for killing.
Appraisal of the diamonds is the best way to find if you have best value diamonds. GIA diamond rings and IGI appraisals look at four main features of the diamonds in order to assess its value. This is called the four C’s of diamond rating and each stone is assigned a letter grade according to the system.
The GIA actually instituted this system of rating that is now used internationally. The report you receive is very thorough and covers just about everything you want to know about the diamond you have purchased or are considering purchasing.
The four C’s of best value diamonds refer to the cut, clarity, carat and color of the diamond. Just because a diamond is white and shiny does not mean that it is of good quality because there may be imperfections in the stone that only a certified gemologist can discover.
Many people look at the carat of the diamond, which is its weight, but the other features are just as important. There are five main cuts of diamonds, for example, and if the cutter is a master at the trade, then cuts will be done to perfection. A poorly cut 2-carat diamond may not be as good a value for the money as a smaller size with a perfect cut.
The closer a diamond is to having no color whatsoever, the greater its value. Diamonds that are pale yellow in color are not the best value diamonds to buy because these have a lower rating on the scale. The most highly rated diamonds are those with the letter grades of D, E and F. However, there are also fancy diamonds which are very valuable showing colors of pink, green, blue and bright yellow. These are very rare and are therefore very expensive.

Most advertising campaigns by De Beers feature their famous slogan “A Diamond is Forever.” Consequently, women seldom sell a diamond and often feel uncomfortable buying diamonds previously owned by other women. There is a sentimental aspect to diamonds that is very different from other tangible assets like boats, houses or automobiles. However, there are occasions when consumers need to sell their diamonds and, unlike the used car market, there is not a well-developed method for consumers to sell their diamonds.

As a consumer, you face some unique challenges when trying to get the best price for your diamond in a safe and comfortable manner. Your starting point is to know exactly what you are selling. This is much easier if the diamond has a grading report from a major laboratory like the GIA or AGS. You have more of a challenge if there is no formal grading report. In this case, you need to find an independent appraiser who can evaluate the diamond and determine its quality and potential value.

Once you know your diamond’s specifications, you can find the current retail asking price by checking with online retailers to see what similar diamonds are selling for in today’s retail market. It is unlikely you will be able to get the going retail price for your diamond. Selling your diamond at 80% to 90% of that amount would make it sell quicker. Be realistic about your expectations. The lowest cost online retailers, not the expensive jewelry stores with double the price, set the value of your diamond.

You now know your target price and simply have to figure out how to find the right buyer for your diamond. There are several options available to sell your diamond and you need to determine which is best for maximizing your money and safety while minimizing your time and effort.

Your first thought might be to go to the closest jewelry store or pawnshop and sell them the diamond. The key to remember here is that they do not need your diamond. They can get all the diamonds they want on the wholesale market. The only reason they will buy your diamond is if the price is a fraction of the wholesale price. They hope you need the money bad enough to take 25%-50% of what you could be getting for your diamond elsewhere. They might offer you a little more if you “trade up” to something in their display case. However, this often results in you paying more for the new diamond and receiving less for your diamond than if you sold it elsewhere.

Several online brokers specialize in buying diamonds and estate jewelry from consumers. They typically have you ship the diamond to them so they can determine the amount they will pay you. All too often, this amount is much less than their preliminary estimate so you must either pay the return shipping, or accept their price. If your main priority is getting money fast, this is a valid option. If your main priority is getting top dollar for your diamond, there are better selling methods available to you.

Auctions like eBay are very popular for selling jewelry items but there is so much low quality jewelry listed, it is hard for potential buyer to find your quality diamond. You are competing with jewelry retailers whose entire business is selling on eBay so they are experts at writing the descriptions (often with exaggerated quality), taking impressive pictures and shipping their items. Even if a bidder does find your item, the odds of getting your target price are slim to nil because other retailers are advertising items with similar descriptions for about half the amount you want. Notice I did not say they are advertising similar quality, just similar descriptions. Do a search for diamond rings with GIA grading reports and you will see the vast majority of diamond rings have paperwork from sources you have never heard of before.

Other effective ways to find a buyer are classified ads in local newspapers and bulletin boards at church or work. The challenge is reaching enough people to find at least one buyer willing to pay your price. You have to be careful when doing this kind of transaction, especially if selling to a stranger. Do the transaction in a safe place and be sure you have a valid form of payment. You do not want to hand over your diamond and end up with a phony cashiers check or bad personal check.

Some jewelry stores and online retailers will sell your diamond on consignment. Online retailers with a local presence have an advantage in that they have large numbers of diamond shoppers on their website plus walk in traffic that can see your diamond in person. They also have lower overhead and prices so you can get a bigger share of the selling price. With jewelry stores often marking up prices over 100%, your share is likely to be less than half of the selling price.

Just be sure to get a written description of the item you are giving on consignment and the minimum amount you will accept for your diamond. All too often sellers are not being able to get their jewelry items back from a store or only receive a fraction of the amount they expected from the sale. However, if you have patience and a low priced, trustworthy retailer to broker your diamond, you have an excellent chance of getting an excellent price for your diamond without the hassle and safety issues of selling it yourself.