What are the 4 Cs of diamond quality?

When evaluating the quality of a diamond, the 4 Cs are often used. They include: * Cut. The way that the diamond is cut often has the greatest effect on the beauty of the stone. To determine the cut quality, the diamond grader will evaluate the cutter’s skill in fashioning the diamond. More precise cuts will lead to more captivating diamonds. * Clarity. Diamonds may have internal characteristics called inclusions or external blemishes. Diamonds without these issues are rare, and those that are present will affect the value of the stone. * Color. Colorless diamonds are the rarest, and they can range all the way to light yellow or brown. Other natural colors are known as “fancy” diamonds, and the color grading will be different than that of a white, colorless diamond. * Carat. The carat is the physical weight of the diamond as measured in metric carats. One carat will equal 1/5 gram. It is divided into 100 points, and the carat weight will serve as the most objective measure of diamond quality. Contact us today at Sarasota Antique Buyers if you need help selling your antique or vintage jewelry.

How can I determine the size of my diamond?

Antique jewelry pieces are usually sold “as-is,” meaning that the stone isn’t removed from the original setting. This can make it difficult to determine the exact weight of the carat. When a diamond is already set, an antique jeweler can do a millimeter to weight conversion to help determine the size.

How can I determine the gemstone in my antique jewelry?

While an experienced jeweler or antique dealer is your best source to identify gemstones. However, simply examining the stone and its color can give you a better idea of what type of stone you might have, although there are several things you need to examine when you try and decide what color your gemstone is: * Hue. This is the overall body color of your stone. Is it blue, or is it more of a greenish blue? There are 31 different hues in the GIA’s color wheel, so be as specific as possible. * Tone. Is your gem’s tone dark, light, or somewhere in between? The GIA uses 7 different tone levels in order to describe colored stones. * Saturation. The GIA evaluates the intensity or strength of the color – or saturation – in one of six grades that range from dull to strung and vivid. * Transparency. Examine if your stone is opaque, translucent, or transparent. The GIA’s online resources can help you to determine the type of stone you have, and a jeweler can confirm your theory.

Which gems were most popular in antique jewelry?

Gemstone popularity varied with the different antique jewelry periods: * Victorian (1836-1901). Coral, amethyst, garnets, and opals were all favorites of Queen Victoria. * Art Nouveau (1890-1919). Popular gemstones of this period included citrines, amber, amber, and opals. * Edwardian (1901-1920). Diamonds were most popular, as they were used to create delicate filigree patterns. * Art Deco (1920-1935). Bold-colored gems like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds were most popular during this time period. * Retro (1935-1950). Sapphires, rubies, and aquamarines were all popular throughout this jewelry era.

Can diamonds be colored?

A yellow tint to the clarity of a pure, white diamond is an imperfection that can affect the overall value. However, it is also possible for a diamond to be colored. Diamonds can come in yellow, blue, red, green, purple, pink, and a host of other colors, which result from structural defects or interstitial impurities.

What are the common cuts of antique diamonds?

Antique diamond cut trends have evolved throughout history. However, there are some cuts that have been historically more popular than others: * Point. Originating in the Middle Ages, the point cut is recognized as the first diamond cut. However, they weren’t actually cut at all, and instead, they were polished into a point. * Single. Sometimes called an eight cut, a single cut diamond has eight pavilion facets and eight crown facets. They are known for being shaped like an octagon and can be traced back to the 1300s. * Rose. This cut originated in the mid-1500s, and they resembled a blooming rosebud. They have triangular facets, but are usually circular in shape. * Old Mine. These cuts were popular in the early 1700s and are sometimes confused with the modern cushion cut. * French. These square cuts were used in both sapphire and diamond jewelry in the early 18th century. They later came back into style in the Art Deco period. * Old European. These cuts are the predecessor of today’s round brilliant. Circular in shape, these cuts are similar to the faceting of the old mine cut. This shape is often described as the most “advanced” of the vintage diamond cuts.

What is the difference between synthetic and simulated gemstones?

The terms “synthetic” and “simulated” are often used interchangeably when discussing gemstones. The truth is, these two types of gems are different: * Synthetic gemstones. Also known as artificial, man-made, lab-made, and lab-grown stones, synthetic gems are stones that were created in laboratories rather than nature. There are many processes that can be used to synthesize gems, and while they range in price, all are conducted artificially within a lab. * Simulated gemstones. When gems are synthesized in a lab in order to imitate natural stones, they are called simulated gems. Not all simulated gems are synthetic. Glass pieces are often used to simulate natural gems, and one kind of natural gem could also be presented as another. For example, a natural garnet doublet could be cut in order to resemble a ruby.

What is the difference between an EGL certification and a GIA certification?

There are five laboratories that certify loose diamonds, inducing the two most popular – the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). These two laboratories have different grading techniques. * GIA certification. This is the world’s most popular certification, especially for diamonds under 1 carat. The mission of this nonprofit institute is to protect all gemstone buyers and sellers by maintaining standards to evaluate gemstone quality. This certification is considered the gold-standard for diamond evaluations. * EGL certification. This U.S. certification is popular among consumers, although standards tend to be “looser” than those of the GIA. The EGL is also a for-profit organization. When it comes to buying antique jewelry with a gemstone or diamond, make sure to look for GIA certification.

What You Need To Know to Get The Most For Your Diamonds, Gold, and Jewelry?

Posted on 25th December 2020
in Antique Jewelry
by Alan

Do you have antique, vintage, or estate jewelry that you are ready to sell? You’ve likely held onto your pieces for some time, so you’ll want to get the most for your collection. While a professional is your best resource for determining how to price your pieces, there are a few things that can help ensure you are getting the best possible return.

Jewelry Style

Jewelry is an industry driven by style. Some styles are classic and will stay around for decades – even centuries – while others come and go in a matter of months. Estate jewelry that is out of style won’t necessarily command a premium price. Some styles are so out of favor that the only value of a piece will be its intrinsic worth – the value of the metal itself and any gemstones the piece might contain.

The 4 Cs of Diamonds

A diamond’s value is based on several factors, and industry professionals use a set of guidelines which can establish the exact desirability and quality of a diamond. According to the Gemological Institute of America, these guidelines – or the 4 Cs – are the basis for estimating diamond value and include:

Cut
Color
Clarity
Carat

Karat Stamps

When determining the price for a piece of jewelry, it is important to search for a karat stamp. This is normally found on the inner surface of a ring or by the clasp of a bracelet or necklace. If a stamp shows 24-karat gold, your piece is pure and likely worth nearly the current price of the metal. More than likely, your piece will be 14-karat gold, which means it is about 58% pure. You’ll need almost twice as much weight in order to receive the same gold content and value.

If you can’t find a stamp, it may mean that your item isn’t gold. In other cases, the piece may have been cleaned, filed, and sized so much that the stamp has worn away, which is especially true of old, antique pieces. Fortunately, you can quickly determine if it an item is gold by exposing it to a household magnet. Gold isn’t magnetic, so if the item sticks, you likely don’t have a gold piece.

Get a Professional Opinion

If you have estate jewelry or antique jewelry that you want to sell, it is important that you consult with a professional before you accept an offer. A jeweler might be able to tell you the value of your piece, but many won’t offer you cash for your piece. Instead, they’ll offer a trade-in in the hopes that you become a customer. Auction houses may be able to provide you an estimate, and you can do research online to find out more about your individual piece.

At Sarasota Antique Buyers, we have the expertise that you need to value your diamond, gold, and jewelry collection. We’ll provide you with a value estimate of what we believe your items would sell for at auction. If you are ready to sell, we will place a bid just under that valuation, giving you money in your pocket right away.

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