How do I go about buying rough diamond jewelry?

Here are a few useful tips on how to buy rough diamond jewelry:


1. Rough diamonds, much like polished diamonds, have a specific monetary value attached to them, a value which depends on a diamonds four main characteristics, its 4 C's. (cut, carat, color and clarity). With a rough diamond, the cut factor is irrelevant because a rough diamond isn't cut or polished. However, the other three characteristics still apply. Expert gemologists can estimate a rough diamond's clarity as well as its color grade, and the carat weight is a given. Therefore, rough diamonds are priced according to the potential polished diamonds they can be shaped into. Generally speaking, rough diamond jewelry can cost less than jewelry set with polished diamonds, since rough diamonds do not undergo the cutting and polishing treatments used on finished diamonds. However, that is not always the case as diamond prices will vary according to clarity, color and carat weight . For example, a very large rough diamond may cost as much, or even more than a lower carat polished diamond, simply because it is larger than the polished stone. I recommend that, when buying rough diamond jewelry, you should have a good look at rough diamond price trends and indexes online, and get a good idea of how much rough diamonds cost. Also, keep in mind that you are not only paying for the rough diamond, you are also paying for the jewelry's materials and the amount of craftsmanship that went into making the piece.


2. Rough diamonds do not come with the regular GIA or AGS approved certificate of authenticity, a certificate which usually accompanies a polished diamond. Therefore, you'd have to have your rough diamonds appraised, in order to get a clear idea of how much they are worth. However, an appraisal can only be done retroactively to your purchase If you can arrange it, have an expert accompany you on your purchase. If you can't, ask the jewelry store selling the rough diamond jewelry if they'd be willing to arrange that your funds be held in trust until you can have the diamond appraised.


3. Since rough diamond authentication is so problematic, use an accredited vendor. Look online for local certified jewelry sellers.


4. A rough diamond may not come with a GIA or AGS certificate, but it should come with a KPC (Kimberly Process certificate). A KPC ensures that the rough diamond was purchased legally. If you do happen to decide later on that you want to sell off your rough diamond jewelry, it will be a lot easier to sell it if the buyer knows that it was purchased legally.


5. If you're buying loose rough diamonds and are planning on setting them in a piece of jewelry then make sure that the setting you choose will be able to accommodate your rough diamond and that the jewelry's design matches the diamond you have selected.

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