Buying Diamond Fine Jewelry
Fine jewelry is always in style. These pieces are made to last and often become the heirlooms that are most treasured by a family. In many cases, the quality of fine jewelry is determined by the quality of the diamonds that are used to make it stand out. Diamonds come with a wide range of quality grades.
The price of the piece, and how well it holds its value, often depends on the color, clarity and carat size of the diamonds. Grading diamonds requires a gem expert to assess all of these factors and decide the value of the diamond. The vast difference between different grades of diamonds is often the difference between cheap jewelry and investment-grade jewelry.
Fine Jewelry Diamond Colors
The color of a diamond is immediate obvious as soon as a person sees the fine jewelry piece. While there are unusual colors such as red and blue diamonds on the market, most are clear. With these diamonds, the clearer the color, the better the grade. Milky diamonds with white or gray color are inexpensive and considered low quality. A poorly colored diamond may cost a tenth of the price of the same size diamond with a high color grade.
Diamond Clarity and Fine Jewelry Value
Most diamonds have imperfections of various sizes. The size and color of the imperfection is what gives a diamond its clarity classification. For high-grade diamonds, the imperfections are invisible to the naked eye or are barely visible and spaced far apart. Large imperfections take away from the sparkle of the diamond and create a dimmed color. For a fine jewelry piece that has a high value and is suitable for a family heirloom, choose a diamond without visible imperfections.
The Carat Size of Diamonds
The carat size is the size of the diamond. Contrary to popular belief, it does not refer to the weight of the diamond. A precise millimeter measurement is taken of every diamond, and that size is one of the most important factors in how much the diamond is worth and how it will look on the fine jewelry piece. A large diamond may serve as the focal point of the piece or many smaller diamonds may create a larger area of sparkle.
Researching the specific qualities and grades of the diamonds included in a fine jewelry piece is the key to choosing a quality piece that will hold its value over time. Fine jewelry is an investment in style and elegance. Fine jewelry pieces often become part of the signature look of the wearer before being passed to the next generation. Research can ensure that these pieces are the best quality possible.
