Questions About Selling Diamonds

Yes. Diamonds are sent all over the world through the mail. Factories and distributors send them to each other, as well as to other jewelers. They all use the same method of registered insured mail, which is the same method we recommend for all of our clients.

A certificate is a diamond grading report issued by an independent laboratory, detailing the diamond's weight, dimensions, color, clarity and cut. The GIA and EGL, whose standards are the strictest in the diamond industry, are the international authorities on diamond grading and gem identification. The GIA issues a Diamond Grading Report. The EGL calls their report a Diamond Certificate.

An appraisal is a document that contains all the necessary information about a diamond with respect to the Four Cs, but differs from a grading report in that it also includes its estimated retail or replacement value. Insurance companies require an appraisal since the Grading Report Certificate or Diamond Quality Document does not indicate price or value. The value stated on an appraisal is far beyond even the retail cost of the item, it is not a "real world" value. The GIA and EGL never suggest a retail value, nor do they grade mounted diamonds. If the diamond is set in jewelry, the appraisal also describes the precious metal that is used in the mounting.

Fluorescence is an output of light from within a diamond and can occur naturally. To detect it a "black" or UV (ultraviolet) light must be used. Fluorescence may make a diamond appear cloudy or milky, even in daylight. Fluorescence information is always available on the certificate.

The GIA Diamond Grading Report and Diamond Dossier detail all the individual characteristics of the diamond commonly known as the Four Cs. The Diamond Grading Report includes a diagram of the diamond indicating the type, size and location of distinguishing marks that determine its clarity grade, as well as proportion grading. The Diamond Dossier, which is issued for diamonds weighing under 1 carat, does not include a diagram, but does include a laser inscription registry, which notes the unique GIA report number that has been laser inscribed onto the diamond. The GIA certificate is most widely accepted as being the most unbiased and accurate grading for a diamond. Typically when a diamond has a GIA certificate, the diamond is worth much more, because any buyer will be assured that the grading is accurate.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), is a recognized industry authority for grading diamonds and gemstones.

The Diamond Certificate, issued by the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL), details the same variables that make up the Four Cs as the GIA. The diamond certificate records all the relevant information pertaining to the diamond, including carat weight, color grade, clarity grade, measurements and physical properties as well as plotting diagrams.

No, a diamond appraisal is the opinion of an individual appraiser and states his/her opinion as far as the quality of a diamond is concerned and also his/her opinion as far as the dollar value for replacing the stone is concerned. An appraisal is useful only as a tool for the insurance industry when a customer needs something replaced due to loss. Appraisals are typically far above the actual retail cost of the diamond. A certificate on the other hand, is issued by an independent laboratory that has had one or more staff members evaluate the stone for its specific quality. Additionally, a certificate contains no dollar value whatsoever; it is simply the assessment of the quality of the stone.

The GIA is essentially a non-profit organization, the certificates issued are not biased. Other firms operate on a for-profit basis and as such can be more influenced by working with the diamond manufacturers/diamond industry. Additionally, diamonds sent to GIA for certification are examined by at least four, but as many as twelve or more different expert graders in the determination of exact quality.

No, an appraisal issued by anyone must be subject to scrutiny, whether from a GIA trained Gemologist or not. Any individual can get training from GIA, for they do run gemology courses, but these individuals do not work for GIA or GIA Gem Trade Labs in any way whatsoever and are not endorsed by GIA other than the fact that they received education from them.

Yes and no. Any diamond can be certified, even those of poor quality. Having a low quality stone certified does not increase its quality at all. Likewise, certifying a high quality stone does not make it any better. However, because the certification process costs money and certified stones are more desirable on the open market, a certified stone is more valuable than a stone of the exact same quality that does not have a certificate.

No.

No.

We buy any diamond that is GIA certified. If it is not certified, the diamond must be at least 1 carat or larger.

The offer to purchase will be considerably less than what you paid, and definitely less than the "appraised value," if you bought from a retail jeweler. A diamond sold by a retail jeweler for $5,000.00 does not have the value of $5,000.00 on the wholesale market or even $2500.00.

Why not?

The answer is profit. Every diamond that is sold across a retail counter passes through many hands, miners, cutters, distributors, brokers, wholesalers, and then finally the retailer, and all those hands need to make a profit. During these levels of distribution, the prices practically double with continuous mark ups. It is not uncommon for the local jeweler to sell a diamond for double what he paid a diamond distributor for it. The retailer has to cover his expenses of rent, employees, advertising, etc.

We are bound by a code of ethics. We do not remove diamonds from their settings without your permission. Our equipment is capable of determining a diamonds quality in the mounting.

Upon receipt, we initially examine your diamond under videotaped surveillance. If we notice that there are any chips or damage to your diamond, we will immediately call you. We can buy a chipped or broken diamond, however the diamond must be evaluated based on what it will weigh after re-cutting the stone, and the cost to re-polish is calculated into the final offer price.

If you choose to sell only your diamond and not the setting, our skilled jewelers will remove your diamond and preserve your setting. The setting will be returned to you.