Value of a Diamond

[megus]

You know, I wonder how many people really understand all the reasons why a diamond has the value it has.

I know many people have heard of the four c's, but they usually only take 3 into account. I thought we should talk of the fourth.

Cut!

Most of my customers think that the cut of a diamond is the shape. That is not the case. The cut is how well the diamond is porportioned. Sometimes a diamond may be cut deep so that it appears much smaller than it really is. Other times it is cut shallow and appears bigger than it is. But in both cases it affects the value of the diamond. The price difference of an "Ideal Cut" diamond compared to the same size, color, and clarity diamond that is an off make can be 50% less or more. These things need to be taken into account if you are going to purchase a diamond.

MEgus

[GGJoe]

Very true MEgus (great... I mean GREAT to see you sir).

Many confuse cut with shape; however, many confuse Tolkowsky's parameters with ideal cut. His figures don't add up. They're off. So today mankind, in his neverending persuit of mastering everying, is striving to classify (commoditize in my opinion) cut as well as clarity and color. Still cracks me up there are color grading instruments but the most popular and most accepted gem grading labs don't use them!

On paper. That's what I'm seeing more and more appearing to the consumer out there. Sometimes a client will bring in a printout of diamonds and ask me which is the best cut. I smile and remind them on paper, both the confederacy and the union shoulda won the civil war. While it's true, I've seen today's consumer become aware a salesman (yeah I know I'm not bein' politically correct but I don't get into politics) saying "stick to 60/60 proportions as most likely not being "educated" in the matter of ideal cut. But I've also seen old European cuts (on paper being AGS class 3 or worse) or GIA class IV-B that are absolute balls of fire. I've also seen a hearts a farts :rolleyes: diamond that was as dull as a 20 yr old cubic zirconia because it has lotion caked on the pavilion under the prongs.

Cut is no doubt the most important C in a diamond. There is a 5th C. Cleaned. In my opinion, many folks blow a lot of money by purchasing the ideal, superduperstar, hearts and spears cut diamond only to completely cancel out the investment by not keeping it clean.

"But I take it off when I do the dishes." I see many a diamond in my microscope after I've steamed it attract a speck of dust out of the air. Many times I've even witnessed the dust change course in mid air to land on the diamond!

Again MEgus. What a treat it is to "see" you here.

ggjoe (bigshot)

[panachegems]

Have you ever come across a "burnt" Diamond? I have' I have bought three Diamonds (above one carat) that the sellers thought were TLB's , Nope, they were burnt by a Jeweler that put just way to much heat on it. I send them in for a polish and, like Emerald say's "Bam" back to white. Yes' you can burn a Diamond. There is a trick to spotting them though, and no I won't tell. :D

[panachegems]

Hey GGJOE, that's why you keep a (real) red sable brush and a bottle of denatured alcohol for. It takes care of the airborne stuff, dries fast and invisible. I never grade any stone without it. :D