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