How to Price Antique Diamonds

Antique diamonds have a high markup and are greatly desirable in the antique jewelry trade. Many people obtain antique diamonds through family inheritances and have no idea what the stones are worth. If you have a piece of diamond jewelry and want to know what it's worth, you need to have it seen by a certified appraiser, who can assess that diamond and assign it a price based on its age, condition, cut and size.

Instructions

1. Call a few jewelry stores in the area and ask if they have a certified appraiser on the premises. Note that an employee of a jewelry store is not automatically a certified appraiser, so be sure and ask if they are certified.

2. Bring the diamond in with you to have it appraised. Although some appraisers may ask for a picture of the piece, you cannot get a reliable price from just a picture, so make sure you bring it in as well.

3. Pay the appraiser to take a look at the piece and price it. A reputable appraiser will charge you a small fee in order to look at the piece. Be wary of appraisers that offer to charge you a percentage of what the piece is worth; he or she may inflate the price to make more money. Instead, ask for a set fee for the appraisal.

4. Have the appraiser give you a full report on the size, cut, color, clarity and age of the diamond, so that you have a clear picture of why it was priced the way it was. You'll need a price in writing if you're hoping to insure the piece.