for the diamond experts

[courtneyh]

ok...so my mom gave me a diamond necklace my father (her ex husband) gave her when they were married.....she lost the exact paper work along the way but she told me its a 1c. flawless diamond......i dont know the exact specs...

but i am wondering how much 1c flawless diamonds go for now adays...i am thinking of taking it to me jeweler to have it looked at and get the specs...

thanks in advance!

[elizat]

To start, it kind of depends on what your mom calls flawless. It could be IF, or even in the VVS-VS range for clarity. I know my grandmother's original e-ring was small but she told ppl it was flawless, even though it was VS1 acc'g to her jeweler b/c you couldn't see the flaws! Also, the cut and color will factor into the cost of the stone today.

I'd take it to the jeweler though and also do the necessary to insure it, even if it is not a true flawless stone. It would be a shame if something happened to it!

[courtneyh]

Originally Posted by elizat

To start, it kind of depends on what your mom calls flawless. It could be IF, or even in the VVS-VS range for clarity. I know my grandmother's original e-ring was small but she told ppl it was flawless, even though it was VS1 acc'g to her jeweler b/c you couldn't see the flaws! Also, the cut and color will factor into the cost of the stone today. I'd take it to the jeweler though and also do the necessary to insure it, even if it is not a true flawless stone. It would be a shame if something happened to it!

totally agree....she just told me it was flawless so i dont have any idea what that means...i personally know nothing about diamonds...only what i have learned from everyone here

i definatly want to insure it...i just need to get the specs first....will my jeweler be able to tell me everything?

[Taralindsey]

Originally Posted by courtneyh

totally agree....she just told me it was flawless so i dont have any idea what that means...i personally know nothing about diamonds...only what i have learned from everyone here i definatly want to insure it...i just need to get the specs first....will my jeweler be able to tell me everything?

I would take it to your jeweler for an appraisal. They will be able to tell you everything about the diamond. I needed a written appraisal with a picture to insure my jewelry.

[elizat]

^ Yeah, I think that's all you would need to do as well. I know of some getting independent appraisers for insurance purposes, but don't have experience w/ that. I know w/ my mom's jewelry, all she did was go through her jeweler and there was a fee for the report.

[elizat]

Oh, and you should post photos too!

[courtneyh]

Originally Posted by elizat

^ Yeah, I think that's all you would need to do as well. I know of some getting independent appraisers for insurance purposes, but don't have experience w/ that. I know w/ my mom's jewelry, all she did was go through her jeweler and there was a fee for the report.

thanks so much.....my mom told me I could either keep the necklace or sell it or make it into something else....im not sure what i want to do....maybe make it into a ring??

[courtneyh]

Originally Posted by Taralindsey

I would take it to your jeweler for an appraisal. They will be able to tell you everything about the diamond. I needed a written appraisal with a picture to insure my jewelry.

yeah i had to do that for my e-ring...

[elizat]

Originally Posted by courtneyh

thanks so much.....my mom told me I could either keep the necklace or sell it or make it into something else....im not sure what i want to do....maybe make it into a ring??

Is it a single stone? I'd leave it in a necklace. A bezel setting would be very pretty and clean and modern looking! I would not sell it. I think that even if you don't wear it/have a use for it now, you'd probably regret it later on- I think I would. If you ever have kids, you could set it for a daughter into something when she turns 16 or pass it down however you have it set.

[courtneyh]

ok this is a really bad pic now that im looking at it...i just tired to take this...it looks so much better IRL...!

[courtneyh]

Originally Posted by elizat

Is it a single stone? I'd leave it in a necklace. A bezel setting would be very pretty and clean and modern looking! I would not sell it. I think that even if you don't wear it/have a use for it now, you'd probably regret it later on- I think I would. If you ever have kids, you could set it for a daughter into something when she turns 16 or pass it down however you have it set.

thats a really good idea to pass it down if i have a daughter! i will have to take it to the jeweler and look at some options!

[eckertle]

If you're interested in setting the diamond in a different setting, I would have the diamond removed from the current setting before the appraisal. Bring the loose diamond to a certified appraiser (there's a list on Pricescope). It's much better to appraise a loose diamond than one where flaws may be covered by prongs!

[LV Rawks]

Take it to an appraiser and they can give you the info. The value would depend on several factors...cut, color, clarity, and they should be able to give you the information you are looking for.

[OneNJen]

I recently also received a family stone of the same weight from a deceased family member. I had it reset into a bezel solitaire pendant with an 18 inch cable chain. It never even crossed my mind to sell because of the family significance. Like many have already said, you should have your jeweler remove it from the setting and give you an appraisal. They cost around $25, and you need it for insurance purposes anyway...

Just to warn you though...often the appraised value of the diamond will be higher than the retail value, so you won't necessarily get what it was appraised for if you try to sell. For example, my appraisal was twice the cost of the value of the diamond. Does anyone here know why they do that?

[courtneyh]

im thinking i might make it into a bezel set ring or necklace....im not sure yet...i think making into a bezel set ring might be really nice..

im going to take it to my jeweler and get some ideas!