Do you have diamond jewelry that you want to resell? If so, you are likely wondering about the best way to tell how much your precious stones are worth. Determining a stone’s value can seem daunting, but there are very clear factors that determine a stone’s worth. At Precious Metals Refinery, we pay the most for your precious gemstones. We are transparent about what factors determine our offer. If you are interested in gaining a basic understanding of how experts can determine a diamond’s value, here 3 of the most important factors:

1. The Four C’s

The most important factors in determining a diamond’s value are the four C’s of diamond grading. These are:

• Carat. This is the easiest of the c’s to determine and is the easiest for non-experts to understand. Carat refers to the size and weight, where 1 ct. is ⅕ of a gram.
• Color. This factor is fairly self-explanatory. The more colorless, the more valuable the stone. The exception to this is fancy colored diamonds, where the color is actually a selling point.
• Clarity. This refers to the presence of inclusions (flaws) within the stone. Inspectors examine stones under 10X magnification. Your stone may look flawless to the naked eye but have smaller issues in the stone.
• Cut. This is the only one of the four C’s that is not naturally determined. The best cuts refract light more strongly, i.e. they make the gem look more “sparkly.”

You may be able to get a general idea of these four C’s on your own. However, it requires a skilled appraiser to determine the details of your diamond’s worth.  

2. Certification

When it comes to appraisal, the best way to determine value is always to get the opinion of an expert. Because of this, most jewelry comes with a form of certification which states the grading of the diamond based on the four C’s. This grading is done on loose diamonds, so it doesn’t include the value of the jewelry surrounding the stone.

The best certifications in America will come from either the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or the AGS (American Gem Society). If you are buying a diamond, you should make sure you have a certificate from one of these or another trusted appraiser. Having your certification handy can also help in selling your diamond, as you will know what value the diamond had when you bought it. Diamond buyers will still need to examine the stone itself. However, the certification lets you know what to expect for color, cut, carat, and clarity evaluations.

3. Other Factors

If you are buying diamond jewelry, there are factors outside of the actual gem quality that can impact how much you will pay. For example, if you want to buy conflict-free diamonds, you may pay a higher price for that certification and peace of mind. While this is not strictly related to the value of the stone, many buyers decide to pay more to know where their diamond came from.

When it comes to selling your diamond jewelry, the most important factor outside of the grading of the actual stone is the jewelry that surrounds it. For example, if you are selling an engagement ring, there may be other precious gems on the band. You also want to consider the quality of the gold, platinum, or silver band.

Determining how much a diamond is worth can be complicated, and a layperson will likely have trouble accurately calculating how much a stone is worth. If you are selling diamond jewelry, you want to find a buyer that you can trust.

At Precious Metals Refinery, we give you the best price for your diamonds. During our appraisal process, we will clearly explain how we determine the value so you are not left in the dark. You will leave PMR with more money in your pocket. Call us at 520.747.4653 and visit one of our locations today to get cash for your diamonds.