Diamonds take literally millions of years to form under intense pressure from tectonic plates, and these pure carbon stones are very valuable in their own right, yet when we are talking about a diamond that is set into an antique jewellery item, there is much to consider when appraising its value.
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The 4 Cs
The 4 Cs are used to grade diamonds, namely: cut, colour, clarity, and carat. To a large extent, the same would apply to a diamond set into an antique piece of jewellery. Admittedly, cuts have been developed a lot in the past 50 years, and modern diamonds tend to have more brilliance than stones from antique or vintage jewellery.
The Cut Of The Stone
As mentioned, diamond cuts of today tend to make the stone more brilliant, and if you are looking for a suitable diamond engagement ring, Kalmar Antiques has a collection of engagement rings at very attractive prices, and with a range of cuts, you can choose one that best shows off the stone.
The Clarity Of The Diamond
There may be surface marks on an old diamond and this could affect its value. If an antique diamond has some inclusions, this would affect the price also. It is important to clean a diamond that is inset into an antique jewellery item prior to inspecting it for clarity.
The Colour Of The Stone
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Some antique diamonds have a yellowish tint and this can affect the value, and generally speaking, the less colour, the higher the value. Many vintage jewellery items contain coloured diamonds, as they have always been popular, with pinks, blues, reds and yellows commonly found in antique and vintage rings.
Carat Size
One carat is equal to 0.2 grams, and as you would expect, the lower the carat weight, the less valuable the diamond. It is difficult to know the exact weight of a diamond when it is part of a jewellery item, and most jewellers could make a calculated guess. Here is some more detailed information concerning the grading of diamonds, which is recommended reading if you are a novice collector.
Have The Diamond Appraised
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If you want an accurate appraisal of a diamond, you can ask an expert to assess the stone, and this will give you an accurate assessment of its value. Most jewellers offer such a service and if you are buying a diamond antique or vintage engagement ring, you can ask the dealer for an appraisal of the diamonds. In some cases, the real value of the diamond lies in the value of the antique jewellery item, which might be extremely rare and therefore have more value than the flat price of the stone.
If you are looking for that ideal vintage diamond engagement ring, start your quest with an online search, as the online antique dealer has a wide collection of quality items, all at very affordable prices.
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