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