| A diamond appraisal is used to determine the | | | | of color. |
| dollar value of a specific gem. Loose diamonds | | | | These are objective, quantifiable and easily |
| that are bought and sold by jewelry wholesalers | | | | measured characteristics that are usually |
| for the wholesale diamond jewelry market are | | | | determined by a gemologist. |
| subject to the process of diamond appraisal prior | | | | The fourth "C," cut, is more difficult to evaluate. |
| to sale. Diamond appraisal uses four main criteria - | | | | Thanks to technological advances that now allow |
| known as the "Four C's" - in order to evaluate | | | | professional diamond cutters to use lasers and |
| loose diamonds and determine fair market prices | | | | computer aided design, there are well over 250 |
| of such precious stones. | | | | different diamond cuts available. Most gem-grade |
| The Four C's | | | | diamonds have 57 facets; the way these are |
| The first three criteria are: | | | | done will have a great affect on the results of |
| - carat: the size of the stone in terms of weight | | | | the diamond appraisal. |
| and mass. A modern carat is equal to 1/142nd of | | | | Where to Get a Diamond Appraisal |
| an ounce (i.e., a 142-carat diamond weighs one | | | | For reasons that should be obvious, any diamond |
| ounce). | | | | of which you are considering the purchase should |
| - clarity: the diamond's degree of "flawlessness." | | | | receive a diamond appraisal by independent third |
| Virtually all loose diamonds have tiny | | | | party jewelry wholesalers. They should be willing |
| imperfections, but these are not usually visible to | | | | to have such diamonds shipped to a lab for an |
| the unaided eye. Virtually flawless diamonds are | | | | appraisal, and you should not pay for and take |
| graded FL. Diamonds with visible imperfections | | | | delivery of such wholesale diamond jewelry until |
| (called "inclusions") are rated "I," and those with | | | | you have received an appraisal and agree to the |
| "slight" inclusions are rated "S." | | | | purchase price. |
| - color : For a gem that is technically "colorless," | | | | One thing to keep in mind - especially in these |
| diamonds come in an astonishing number of | | | | days of economic volatility and turmoil - is that |
| colors, ranging from pure white to dark brown. | | | | the value of diamonds can change considerably |
| Each color is rated from one to seven, with | | | | within relatively short periods of time. A diamond |
| seven denoting the deepest, most vivid colors. | | | | appraisal is important for the determination of fair |
| Diamond color is caused by chemical reactions | | | | market value, but the exact purchase price will |
| with other elements; some diamonds today are | | | | depend on current market conditions. |
| irradiated as well in order to increase the intensity | | | | |