| Diamonds may be forever, but not all are | | | | any color variation is natural or the result |
| created equal - and a diamond appraisal by a | | | | of artificial chemical processes, a diamond |
| qualified specialist can be invaluable in | | | | appraisal can give you specific information |
| determining whether yours are indeed rare | | | | about your stones, such as: |
| gems or little more than glorified lumps of | | | | |
| coal. | | | | - Whether or not the quality of the diamond |
| | | | reflects the grading document |
| Diamond Appraisal vs. Gemological Analysis | | | | |
| | | | - If the grading document has sufficient data |
| It is important to understand the difference | | | | |
| between a diamond appraisal and a | | | | - If the gem has been cut correctly |
| gemologist's analysis. Although both are | | | | |
| important in determining the quality and | | | | The latter is especially important. Even if a |
| value of your diamonds, a diamond appraisal | | | | diamond is genuine and flawless when it comes |
| and a lab certificate are two entirely | | | | out of the ground, cutting the gem improperly |
| different things.certified "Loose diamonds" | | | | means shards of nearly worthless carbon. At |
| have been scientifically examined and | | | | best, certified loose diamonds that have been |
| analyzed by professional gemologists in a | | | | improperly cut will be worth substantially |
| state-of-the-art laboratory. This is | | | | less than those which have been cut be |
| important, because industrial science now has | | | | trained craftsmen. While less-than-perfect |
| the means to produce artificial diamonds that | | | | stones can be made into discount wholesale |
| are nearly indistinguishable from the real | | | | gemstone jewelry readily enough, they are not |
| thing. Now, if appearance is all that is | | | | investment quality. |
| important to you, artificial diamonds are | | | | |
| just fine for crafting attractive wholesale | | | | Avoiding Potential Conflicts |
| gemstone jewelry. However, if you are | | | | |
| looking at diamonds as an investment that | | | | The diamond trade is controlled worldwide by |
| will appreciate in value, there's no | | | | a relative few institutions, partially |
| substitute for the real thing. | | | | because they are found in so few remote parts |
| | | | of the world. Because there is so much money |
| Reputable diamond wholesalers will provide a | | | | at stake, confidence games and "rip-offs" are |
| certificate from an independent gemology lab | | | | common, and there are many opportunities for |
| when you purchase loose certified loose | | | | conflict of interest. |
| diamonds. This brings us to the other side of | | | | |
| the equation, which is diamond appraisal. | | | | It is vital that both your gemologist's |
| | | | report and your diamond appraisal be done by |
| Why a Diamond Appraisal is Important | | | | separate, independent labs that have no |
| | | | connection to the diamond wholesalers from |
| While a gemologist's analysis can tell you if | | | | whom you plan to make your purchase. |
| your diamond is genuine and whether or not | | | | |