Are you planning to get
married? Engaged? When you are considering purchasing any jewellery there are
some things you should consider and be aware of before you invest large sums of
money.
Always ask for an
Independent Jewellery Valuation. It is your right as a consumer to insist upon
a valuation from an independent valuer (not associated with the store)
Ask for any certificates that come with the stones
(ie diamonds). Not all certificates meet Australian standards.
A valuation will provide you with the following
information and should be accompanied by a photograph of the item. It will be
signed and sealed with the Valuer’s registration number.
A valuation is a legal document and in the case of
Insurance it covers Retail Replacement Value.
What is a Valuation?
A typical jewellery or fine arts valuation involves examining each item
to assess the quality and arrive at a value judgement based on current market
conditions. While two items may appear identical to the untrained eye, each has
qualities that can effect the final valuation.
A valuation should cover the following:
1. Diamond Grading:
Characteristics known as the 4C’s. Clarity, Colour and Cut (proportion)
are the quality elements which together with the Carat Weight determine the
value of a stone. While clarity is frequently assumed to be the most important
factor of the 4C’s, in fact, colour and cut (especially cut) have a more
profound effect on the visual appearance of a diamond.
2. Carat Weight:
Carat is the unit of
weight for all gemstones. One carat is subdivided into 100 ‘points’. Therefore
a diamond measuring 75 points is 3/4 carat in weight, or 0.75ct. There are five
carats in a gram.
3. Clarity:
A diamond’s clarity is determined by the number, nature, position, size
and colour of internal characteristics called ‘inclusions’ and surface features
called ‘blemishes’. These irregularities occurred in the liquid magma (volcanic
rock) within which the diamond was created. Diamonds are mostly pure carbon,
however, during crystallization other minerals nearby, or even other bits of
carbon forming more quickly, may have become trapped within the cooling mass.
These
show themselves as the various characteristics which make up the clarity of a
diamond (included crystals, feathers, clouds etc). Clarity is measured on a
scale ranging from pure (flawless) to heavily included (I-3). The clarity of a
diamond is graded by using 10X magnification under good lighting by an
experienced grader. The final clarity grade is usually determined by how easy
the inclusions and blemishes are for the grader to see.
4. Colour:
Ideally, a diamond should have no colour at all. Increasing degrees
of body colour are measured on a scale ranging from no colour at all (D) to
deeply coloured (Z). Beyond ‘Z’ is the range where the diamond's colour is
vivid and rich, called ‘fancy colours’.
5. Cut:
Cut,
sometimes the forgotten ‘C’, ensures that a given stone has maximum brilliance
and sparkle which would not be the case were the stone cut for weight alone.
Simply put, when looking at a diamond, if it doesn't catch your eye or if it
doesn't flash in the light, it's probably not well cut.
Myles Barnett FGAA, is a
gemmologist, registered jewellery valuer, and the Pricipal of Platinum
Diagnostics. Myles is also a committee member of the National Council of
Jewellery Valuers (NCJV), SA Division.
www.platinumdiagnostics.com.au
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