May 31, 2011
The Extra Mile
Keep in mind, if purchasing a laser inscribed diamond with an independent laboratory report, this alone does NOT assure you of the quality or value. The jeweler needs to understand diamond grading and be knowledgeable in pointing out characteristics about the diamond that prove it MATCHES the report.
The jeweler should have a microscope and a certificate or diploma in diamond grading from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A). Also, ask to see their annual accreditation certificate. Diamond grading is like our tax code – each year brings additions and corrections that must be learned!
Diamond grading is an art, not a science. This means diamond grading is an opinion, not a guarantee. The guarantee comes from the jeweler, so you want to find a knowledgeable and ethical jeweler who takes pride in providing good service, great diamonds, and excellent values. Look for a professional, such as a Certified Gemologist or Certified Gemologist Appraiser of the American Gem Society. They go the extra mile… Dii
May 27, 2011
As Easy As 1-2-3
1. When purchasing a diamond, request a written – and signed – receipt from the seller. If there is an independent laboratory report, such as a Diamond Quality® Document from the AGS Laboratories, the receipt should reference the document’s grade.
It should also state a replacement value, so that you can go to the insurance company of your choice and obtain insurance. If that replacement value is different from what you paid, there should be an explanation as to why.
2. This type of documentation MIGHT have a plot – a map of any inclusions or blemishes found in or on your diamond. This is not always necessary; however, a plot of the inclusions can help identify the diamond.
The plot should show at least one or two characteristics which you can find with a jeweler’s loupe or microscope – unless you purchase a diamond which is internally flawless. When you are familiar with these characteristics, you will always recognize “your” diamond. If there is any damage that occurs in the future, you can easily document it for your insurance.
3. Some diamonds have a laser inscription on their girdle (or edge). It’s a very good “brand” on your diamond. This is something that you can see with a loupe or microscope – but does not affect the clarity grade of the diamond. Have your jeweler show you this before you leave the diamond for any cleaning or repair – and then again when you pick it up. There’s more.… Dii
May 26, 2011
Special Delivery
Who’s the lucky gal that just got a HUGE diamond engagement ring? Her initials are KK and she’s now bench-pressing 20.5 carats of pure carbon. Of course, Mother Earth has transformed that hunk of carbon into a dazzling gem that not only captures the light – it captures the heart of many women – much like KH must have captured KK’s heart.
What did that hunk have to go through to get on KK’s hand? I don’t want to report on the wooing habits of KH; it’s the hunk from the earth I’m talkin’ about. A diamond travels up from the depths of the earth’s mantle and comes screaming out of a volcano! It takes loads of heat and pressure — now that’s a delivery!!
May 25, 2011
Protect Yourself!
If you’re considering a diamond purchase, ask about insurance through either your homeowner’s policy or a company, such as Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, which insures only jewelry. It’s not expensive to purchase this type of peace of mind. And, there are other benefits to this insurance too.
What if you lose your ring? As years go by, you will need to have your ring cleaned or repaired by a jeweler. What if something happens while it’s in their possession? What if they damage the diamond while doing a repair? What if you damage the diamond while wearing it?
I have received many emails asking for a hypothetical appraisal. This is when you ASSUME certain qualities of the diamond and assign a replacement value to it. This is also called a guesstimate!! I have also received emails asking how to prove a diamond was switched or damaged by a jeweler.
Without existing documentation thoroughly describing your diamond, you might have a pretty tough time proving the value of your loss. What’s the first step? Check back Friday. …Dii
May 20, 2011
How $$$ is that Diamond?
How much is a one-carat, G/VS1 diamond? How much is a three bedroom house?
Most people have shopped for a place to live – rent or own – and know there’s a laundry list of questions to be answered before the price of one residence can be compared to another – even though both are three-bedroom homes!
For a house, you might want to know…
What neighborhood is it in?
How old is it? (Need a roof?)
What’s the square footage? (Wow! those rooms are small)
What was paid for a similar house in that area?
For a diamond, you might want to know…
Can I see yellow or brown in a G color?
Do I need magnification to see any inclusions? (How good are your eyes?)
Does it “look” like a one carat? (Some look smaller)
What’s the light return? (Huh?)
Understanding diamond value is more than reading the stats on a rap sheet. It’s more about seeing the diamond and understanding its assets! Performance is the key to beauty and value. And, the quality of the cut can affect the value by as much as 50% or more! Making a decision without seeing the diamond is like buying a 3 bedroom house without knowing where it’s located or what condition it’s in.
Not every jeweler knows how to evaluate the cut. Visit an American Gem Society jeweler and learn about the diamond’s performance. Then you can pick a winner! Varooooom!! …Dii
May 18, 2011
I’d Do Anything… for a Diamond!
Recently, a jeweler in Pennsylvania held a contest with the prize being a diamond. All the contestants had to do was lose weight. Perhaps inspired by the television show, The Biggest Loser, the person who lost the most weight won a diamond equal in size to the pounds purged!
Everyone had eight weeks – no trainers, no specific diets, no Big Brother watching. It was just an individual battle with the bulge. And the winner, losing 46 ½ pounds, received a diamond weighing .47carats. One point per pound!! (There are 100 points to a carat).
Who’s going to offer one carat per pound? I can diet for that… Dii
May 16, 2011
All About Being Green
From conserving water to taking your own bags to the grocery store, it’s all about being green. For those of you born in the month of May, it’s all about the green of emeralds!
Emerald is as prized as any conservation effort and is reported to hold more powers than a bin full of compost! The emperor, Nero, is said to have used emeralds for the lens in his sunglasses. Now that’s re-purposing!!
Emeralds are supposed to help improve your memory, quicken your intelligence, and promote honesty. They definitely soothe the soul and quicken the heartbeat. If you weren’t born in May, find another excuse to wear emeralds. Married for 20 years? Great – it’s the anniversary gem!! Go Green!! …Dii
May 13, 2011
It’s About Transparency
We hear this in regards to businesses today, but it’s true of gemstones too. Although transparency isn’t one of the 4Cs, it’s certainly related to the clarity of the gem. With a sapphire, for example, transparency isn’t always a given. Inclusions can render the faceted gem translucent – a beautiful blue color, but lacking in brightness due to a lack of transparency.
Some sapphires are polished into a dome – called a cabochon – rather than polished with facets. They are translucent – some light goes through – but minute inclusions reduce the transparency. Sometime those minute inclusions line up to form a 6-ray star! How cool is that! (But I digress).
For faceted color gemstones, look at the color and the transparency.
…Dii
May 11, 2011
Snoop in a Scope
You’ve heard about the 4Cs – cut, color, clarity and carat weight. The clarity of a gemstone, whether a diamond or a color gemstone, affects its rarity and therefore, its value. In extreme cases, the clarity – or lack thereof – affects the beauty too.
Should you only consider a flawless gemstone? Heavens, no!! The inside world of a gemstone is a story of the gemstone’s past – its history; its birthmark. Every inclusion (inside characteristic) is unique to that gemstone and can be fun to locate, identify, and use as an identifying mark that belongs ONLY to your gemstone.
Usually, you’ll need a loupe or a gem microscope to see these inclusions. And, every American Gem Society jeweler is required to have a microscope in the store. They also have a credentialed associate to help point out just what you’re seeing. Let’s go and snoop in a scope — …Dii
May 6, 2011
Re-Purpose Old Gold?
Recently, there have been a lot of ads offering to buy your old gold. One consumer wrote me to ask if she could melt and then re-cast her gold into another piece of jewelry. She wanted to hold on to the sentiment, not just the gold.
It is possible to melt the metal and reform it; however, the alloys that are present may not “re-form” with the gold for a clean result. Many times the gold shows porosity and is not as strong. It’s not advisable to mix it with “new gold” either. The best procedure is to refine it, which means stripping the alloy from it and then recasting the gold with new alloy. Unfortunately, the jeweler usually cannot do this and a refiner works with large quantities. It wouldn’t be possible to get “your” gold back.
Sentimental value of your ring is important. Perhaps you could use the gold from the ring to make a nugget that you can wear as a pendant. Consult a jeweler who has design and manufacturing experience for the best advice. …Dii Dii
