As a mother, you know how important it is to be on top of finances or be able to make both ends meet and sometimes, you will be met with urgent money matters, which is why you should be able to ready yourself for those kind of cases sprouting in the future by investing in the right things. Diamonds, for example, are not just pretty things that will last a lifetime, they’re also good investment options. Like gold, the value of diamond can increase over time.
Diamonds are not cheap investments, which is why buyers need to know what they have to look for in these precious stones in order to make the most of their purchase. Investors need to be assured that they are getting the quality that they have paid for and this starts with educating oneself about diamond quality. What’s the point of iced out jewelry if you’re paying over the odds for what you’ve got?
Diamonds come in an assortment of sizes, shapes, and even colours. Nowadays, with the help of companies like Saint Diamonds, you can even turn ashes to diamonds and treasure the memory of your loved one and keep them close to your heart. However, for those looking for an investment, there are certain combinations of these characteristics that determine a higher value for the diamond. So, you need to be familiar with these features in order to choose the right diamonds to invest in.
The 4Cs Of Diamond Quality
The best way to get to know diamonds is to start with the 4Cs, which are the universal standards by which diamonds are assessed. Gemologists evaluate loose diamonds using a systematic rating system for each element, specifically colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight.
- Colour
The colour grade for a diamond is based on its appearance. This quality can have a big impact on the value of the diamond. For example, with colourless diamonds, any hint of colour can reduce its valuation because truly colourless diamonds are the rarest. The more hints of yellow or brown observed in the diamond, the lesser the value of such diamond.
A colourless diamond’s colour quality is assessed using a 23-colour grading scale. The closer to colourless (D-F) a diamond is, the higher its value and quality. Noting these colour qualities, you will know that a two-carat N diamond will be less valuable and more affordable than a one-carat D diamond.
On the other hand, for coloured diamonds, more intense colours are graded higher. Coloured diamonds rated as fancy are considered rarer, which makes them pricier as well. Fancy colour diamonds have a range of colour strengths, with the most intense and vivid being the rarest and priciest coloured diamonds.
- Clarity
The clarity rating refers to how flawless a diamond is. Top quality diamonds have no inclusions or imperfections, while you will be able to observe flaws and blemishes in a poor quality diamond. Diamonds with a higher clarity are more valuable as they are also rarer in nature. Diamonds with low clarity grade may have a cloudy appearance, be less brilliant, and be prone to breakage and chipping.
Gemologist grade diamonds for clarity under 10x magnification as indicated in an 11-grade clarity scale. Incredibly expensive are flawless diamonds, which are also very rare, and which shops like Gold Buyers in Melbourne will be willing to pay an ample amount of cash.
- Cut
The cut impacts the aesthetic quality of diamonds. It refers to proportion, polish, and symmetry of the diamond. Logically, a well-cut stone will be more brilliant and sparkly than a diamond with a lesser cut quality. The perfect cut incorporates brightness, fire, and scintillation elements, making the diamond more stunning.
- Carat Weight
The carat weight is measured using a calibrated digital scale. Larger diamonds tend to be more valuable than smaller ones, but not always. Basically a bigger carat diamond with lesser clarity and colour grade will be less valuable than a smaller carat diamond with higher cut, clarity, and colour grades.
Also, the slightest delineations for carat weight can spell a huge difference in the price of diamonds. For example, all other factors equal, you might want to get a 0.89 carat diamond instead of a one carat stone as this should be less expensive but just as valuable.
Remember, moms, all of the 4Cs of diamond quality are important, and all should be considered accordingly.