The Basics of Buying Diamonds

Size in Brilliant Brilliant European European Mine Cut Points Flawless with Flaw Flawless with Flaw (Carat) Minor Minor

6.25 $1.00 .50 .50 .25 N/A

12.5 $2.00 1.00 .75 .50 .25

18.75 $2.25 1.25 1.25 .75 .50

25 $2.50 1.50 1.50 1.00 .75

50 $5.00 2.75 2.75 2.00 1.25

100 $8.00 4.50 4.50 4.00 2.50

This list denotes the points in carat and price per point. 100 points equals 1.0 carat and it will weight 200 milligrams or .200 grams. And if the diamond is of good quality, I would offer about $450.00 for it. Most diamonds you will run into will be small, from 1/8th to 1/2nd carat. Do not buy chips. They are worthless.

Note; a good way to tell a synthetic from a diamond is weight it. CZ and Moissanite weighs about 75% more than a diamond.

If you are serious about this business, I strongly suggest that you purchase the following books and study the ins and outs about evaluating diamonds and gemstones.

“Diamonds Buying Guide”, by Antoinette Matlins, P.G.

“Colored Gemstones Buying Guide”, by Antoinette Matlins, P.G.

Now, for a couple of personal pointers. You will seldom run into a flawless diamond in the open market. I always purchase at the Brilliant with minor flaw or less. Depends on the evaluation of the diamond. I do not bargain or hassle over the buy price. I make an offer on the above scale and if they accept fine and if not fine, go to the next one. You don’t want to get all the diamond business, just the ones you can make money on.

A buyer of diamonds that I have used and had good luck with so far. I sell most of my diamonds (the ones that my wife doesn’t get first) to private buyers at a hundred percent markup..