Every diamond is beautiful in its own way.
However, some are clearly worth more than others. You probably have some idea of how characteristics like size or clarity can contribute to a diamond’s price. However, if you don’t know much about the value of various gems, you might find yourself a little lost. After all, people spend years training to understand how to grade the quality of a stone properly. You’llIf you’rt the value or quality of a certain diamond is, turn to the experts at Village Jewelers. Read on to learn more!
1. Lack of Flaws
Jewelers are trained to look for flaws within the appearance of any gem. Now, to the untrained eye, a diamond could look completely perfect, and that’s perfectly fine! However, if you want to really verify that your gem is a top-tier stone, a professional will need to inspect the stone. Some blemishes are so small that a naked, untrained eye just can’t properly process them.
The ranking system for the clarity of a diamond, or the absence of said inclusions and blemishes, follows this tiered system:
- Included: Some flaws are visible to the naked eye.
- Slightly Included: Inclusions are clearly visible under magnification.
- Very Slightly Included: Inclusions are detectable under magnification, but they remain to the naked eye.
- Very Very Slightly Included: While there are some flaws, they’re only visible under magnification by a skilled professional.
- Internally Flawless: Only a few surface-level blemishes exist, and they are only visible to a skilled professional under intense scrutiny. However, the interior of the gem is completely devoid of inclusions.
- Flawless/Internally Flawless: The creme de la creme of diamondology. A true beauty of mineralogy and an exceedingly rare one at that.
It is also important to note that there’s nothing wrong with owning a diamond that is slightly included or Very Slightly Included. These stones can still look beautiful in the right piece of jewelry, and if budget is a concern, they can usually be procured at a better price point.
However, those stones that are Internally Flawless or Flawless/Internally Flawless are much more likely to be worth considerably more. You’ll need a qualified gemologist to really determine what separates an Internally Flawless from a Very, Very Slightly Included.
2. Color
Typically, clear or near colorless indicates an exquisite gem. If you find gems like these, you’re looking at some truly valuable creations. Now, there are some famous examples of uniquely colored diamonds that are worth some pretty sums. Talk to your local jeweler if you need a second opinion.
3. Professional Opinion
If you really need to know that the diamond you’re looking at is of the highest quality, consider bringing an expert in. An independent gemologist can help you determine what you’re working with and its value and grade. You can do your best to review the quality of the stone, judge its flaws and brilliance, and do your own research – all of which might produce a decently accurate educated guess.
But at the end of the day, properly assessing the value of a stone requires dedicated knowledge and a deep familiarity with gemstones – knowledge and familiarity that can only be gained through time in the industry.
Take, for example, the flaws of a diamond. A few inclusions or blemishes, undetectable to the naked eye, can radically change a stone’s value. As we’ve mentioned previously, you just very likely won’t be able to tell a high-quality gem from an exceptional one without specialized training. Turn to an experienced jeweler for this clarification.
Contact Village Jewelers
If you need help determining what your family heirloom is worth, contact Village Jewelers today! Our team has years of experience working with diamonds of all sizes and qualities, and we’re here to help you better understand the quality of your gem.
We always strive to delight our clients and help them find exactly what they’re looking for. Your jewelry needs are unique; let us guide you through the process and help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Call now, visit our store,, or review our diamond buying guide!