Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
A certificate that accompanied your wedding ring when it was purchased was most likely a prior appraisal. You can get any ring re-appraised in order to insure it for the correct amount of money and to record unique information about your specific ring that will help you get it repaired or claim it if it is lost or stolen. For the most complete and accurate appraisal, contact an appraiser-gemologist certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
As the hardest substance on earth and one of the best heat conductors available, the diamond is a valuable commodity. Unfortunately, this drives up the price --- not to mention the humanitarian trepidation about the conditions of diamond mining and distribution. However, machines can now grow diamonds in a controlled environment for a cost that greatly undercuts that of mining them.
A diamond is the hardest structure known to man. It is one of the rarest materials on Earth, and it is an object of beauty, which is why it is also one of the most expensive merchandise items worldwide. A lot of people loosely use the term "flawless diamonds" to refer to high-grade diamonds, but do not have an exact idea how a flawless diamond can be identified. Know what "flawless diamonds" are before you even think about owning one.
The International Gemological Authority (IGA) uses the World Diamond Council grading system to rate a diamond based on four aspects: its color, how it's cut, the stone's clarity and its carat weight. These factors directly influence a diamond's value.
A diamond is forever. Therefore, shopping for one can feel overwhelming. Several factors affect its beauty, including cut. Understand its aspects to ensure that you purchase the best diamond your money can buy.
Diamonds are among the world's most precious jewels. Their scarcity makes them highly valued by collectors and average people alike. Diamond quality varies widely, and stones are strictly graded according to four properties: carat, cut, color and clarity. Professionals spend years studying diamonds to become experts in the grading process.
Purchasing a diamond can be a serious investment, so you should know what you are buying so that it is not just a pretty piece of jewelry, but also a quality piece.
Diamond buyers will often have a diamond certified and appraised before purchasing the gemstone. Although the terms are frequently used interchangeably, certifications and appraisals are different processes which are both required to accurately establish a diamond's value.
Canary diamonds, a subcategory of fancy diamonds, are famous for their bright yellow coloring. They are available in a variety of shades and cuts.
A widely held belief is that the worth of lab-created diamonds must be equal to the current value of natural diamonds or they are not "genuine." Worth, too, is the sentimental value the gem inspires without concern for its actual physical chemistry and origin, all else being equal. Alternatively, worth is related to a market shift toward lab-created diamonds due to increased negative opinion on "blood" or "conflict" diamonds, and the value seen in helping end human suffering, and the environmental destruction attached to the mining of these natural gems.
Diamonds, which are one of the most expensive gemstones due to their high quality and unbreakable status, are also very desirable. When rating a diamond, most jewelers insist on using the four Cs, which are cut, color, clarity and carat. Each category affects the value of a diamond. A flawless diamond will have perfect color, cut and clarity but the carat can vary. You can find a flawless 1 carat diamond or a flawless 2 carat diamond. It's best to work with a professional when rating a diamond, as they have been trained to notice all possible flaws.
