| The skilled craftspeople who design and | | | | depends on the skill of the diamond cutter. |
| create diamond jewelry usually obtain these | | | | Some cuts are more suitable for certain types |
| precious gems from a special wholesaler | | | | of diamond jewelry; more elaborate cuts may |
| specializing in diamonds for sale. The stones | | | | better show off the gem's shine and |
| which used in diamond earrings and other | | | | brilliance, or "fire." |
| pieces have ideally been through a thorough | | | | |
| lab analysis as well as a certified | | | | Appraisal |
| appraisal. You'll want to confirm this prior | | | | |
| to your purchase of any diamond jewelry. | | | | When diamonds for sale undergo an appraisal, |
| | | | they are being assigned a fair market value. |
| Gradation and Valuation | | | | It is very important when considering the |
| | | | purchase of diamond jewelry for investment |
| This is the first step. Diamonds for sale | | | | purposes. An appraisal is required to insure |
| must be analyzed in a qualified gemology lab | | | | jewelry such as diamond wedding bands, |
| (gemology is that sub-specialty within the | | | | diamond earrings, or diamond rings. |
| field of geology that concerns the study of | | | | |
| precious and semi-precious stones). These | | | | Gem-Quality Stones |
| are known as the "Four Cs:" | | | | |
| | | | Diamonds used in industrial situations such |
| - Carat | | | | as grinding, are of a completely different |
| | | | class than those used in pieces such as |
| - Color | | | | diamond engagement rings. In addition, |
| | | | artificial diamonds are less valuable than |
| - Clarity | | | | their naturally formed counterparts. |
| | | | |
| - Cut | | | | The quality of the setting also has some |
| | | | effect. A cheaply-made setting does little |
| The first of these, carat, refers to the | | | | for a gem's value, while a carefully crafted |
| weight and mass of the stone. A carat is | | | | custom setting can enhance its value |
| approximately equal to one-fifth of a gram. | | | | substantially. |
| Color is just that. Diamonds for sale come in | | | | |
| a wide variety of colors that range from | | | | Whether you are purchasing diamond earrings |
| ice-clear to black depending on what other | | | | as a gift, are looking at diamond engagement |
| elements are present; pink and blue diamonds | | | | rings and diamond wedding ring sets in |
| can be especially valuable. Clarity is | | | | anticipation of a joyous union - or are |
| determined by any "flaws" - interior cottony | | | | considering diamond jewelry as an investment |
| patches that are visible from the outside. | | | | - it's a good idea to educate yourself |
| | | | thoroughly in order to make sure that you are |
| Cut is a less objective characteristic; this | | | | getting a fair value for your money. |