A diamond appraisal is used to determine the value of a specific gem. Usually, during a diamond exchange, the diamond is appraised so you can check its worth. Diamond appraisal involves the use of four main criteria also known as the Four C’s – carat, clarity, colour and cut.

Carat – this determines the size of the stone in terms of weight and mass. These days, a carat is equal to 1/142nd of an ounce. This means that a 142 carat diamond weighs one ounce.

Clarity – This signifies the diamond’s degree of flawlessness. While most loose diamonds have tiny imperfections, these are not visible to the unaided eye. You do get virtually flawless diamonds, which are graded FL. Diamonds with visible imperfections, called inclusions, are rated ‘I’, while those with slight imperfections are rated ‘S’.

Colour – Diamonds come in a wide variety of colours, although the common misconception is that diamonds are colourless. Diamonds come in a range of colours, from pure white to dark brown, and everything in between. Colours are rated from one to seven, with seven denoting the deepest, most vivid colours. But what causes diamond colour? It is caused by a chemical reaction with other elements.

Cut – The fourth criterion is a little more difficult to evaluate. But thanks to technological advances, professional diamond cutters can now use lasers and computer aided designs to cut diamonds. According to estimates, there are more than 250 diamond cuts available. Most gem-grade diamonds have 57 facets. The way a diamond is cut has a huge affect on the results of the diamond appraisal.

Where to get a diamond appraisal

If you are planning on purchasing a diamond or even doing a diamond exchange, you need to have the diamond appraisal done by an independent third party. If the diamond wholesaler is reputable, they should be willing to have diamonds sent to a lab for an appraisal. You should not pay for this appraisal and should not pay for the diamond until you receive the results. Keep in mind that in this time of economic volatility and turmoil, the value of diamonds are not stable and can change significantly within a relatively short period of time. Therefore a diamond appraisal for any diamond exchange is important to determine a fair market value.

Author bio

This article was written for The Gold Company and offers tips on diamond appraisal during diamond exchange.