A Diamond Report is a document issued by a Gemological Laboratory describing a Loose Diamond. The laboratory will not issue reports on Diamonds which are set in a mounting. A Diamond Report issues a "grade" indicating the physical properties of the Diamond "at the time of evaluation". A Diamond Report is a document which retains its value over a long period of time, assuming the Diamond does not chip or is not otherwise altered.

An Appraisal or Valuation can be performed on a loose Diamond, a mounted stone, or jewellery. If the stone is not loose, the physical properties are estimated using various estimation techniques. Most importantly, an appraisal indicates the Dollar Value of the piece under consideration. Obviously, the Dollar Value can easily change considerably over a relatively short period of time. Appraisals are most often used for insurance purposes.

Many people make the mistake of using an in-house appraiser to evaluate the purchase price of their Diamond. This is a big mistake. Firstly, appraisals are often over-estimated, and are therefore a very poor estimation of price. More importantly, any in-house Jeweler may be biased.

Courtesy of Diamondtalk.com

Important Considerations regarding diamond Reports and Valuations

• Grading of a diamonds Colour and Clarity is subjective and not an exact science.
• Colour grading machines are only claimed to be accurate by the manufactures to within half a grade if set up properly.
• Submitting the same diamonds to a number of laboratories often produces different results
• The most consistent grades currently available in Australia are: AGS, GIA and the two IDC labs HRD and IGI
• An Appraisers grade that differs from that of one of the above laboratories should be referred to another appraisers for a second opinion. While both Independent Laboratories and Appraisers can sometimes make mistakes, the large laboratories listed above use extremely sophisticated grading systems compared to the relatively simple grading methodologies of an appraiser.
• In the event that there is difference in opinion between your Appraiser and your Diamond Report, politely inform the appraiser that you will be seeking another opinion. Contact your supplier who will usually assist you with the costs of another opinion

Diamond Prices

Contrary to popular belief diamond prices are not only determined by Weight Colour and Clarity.

The professional diamond buyer considers at least ---- factors

Consumers should try do the same or deal with highly reputable companies that can demonstrate these factors

Here are some of the factors effecting diamond prices

• Carat Weight
• Visible size
• Cut Proportion Primary
• Cut Proportion Secondary (facet size, in particular lower girdle facets and star facets)
• Type of Certification
• Colour
• Clarity Primary
• Clarity Secondary (Type,size,number and shape of inclusion)
• Symmetry
• Polish
• Fluorescence
• Naturals and Opens
• Girdle Thickness
• Culet size
• Extra facets
• Desirability of size colour clarity combination