I know nothing about diamonds, can anyone help me with this?

[priyase]

I have a diamond engagement ring which is from the 70s or 80s, real diamond, 24k gold. Does anyone have an idea of what it's worth based on this picture? Thanks so much if you can help!
http://i39.tinypic.com/34i0pj4.png

 

[MissGotRocks]

Re: I know nothing about diamonds, can anyone help me with t

No, unfortunately, there is no way for anyone to accurately tell you how much that diamond is worth based solely on a picture. You would need to take it to an independent appraiser to ascertain a value.

It looks like a sizeable stone; do you know any of its specifications? Is it certified by any of the major labs?

 

[priyase]

Re: I know nothing about diamonds, can anyone help me with t

Ah, okay, I was afraid of that. I'll have to visit an appraiser then. It was my grandmothers engagement ring, and my grandfather was a geophysicist/geologist so I know the stone is of very high quality, but I don't know any of the specifications. I definitely don't want to sell it though, I'm just interested in finding out its value. I was mainly interested in if anyone could estimate the carat size of the stone. I'm clueless when it comes to this.

 

[Behacad]

Re: I know nothing about diamonds, can anyone help me with t

Well, carat could be roughly estimated based on its diameter. Clarity could be roughly estimated based on how many inclusions you can see from a few inches away. Colour could be estimated based on how white it is. With that information though, would still be a rough ballpark. Do you live near an appraiser?

 

[ChristineRose]

Re: I know nothing about diamonds, can anyone help me with t

If you want really quick and dirty:

Estimate the carat weight from size charts.

http://www.ajediam.com/Sizes-of-Diamonds.html

Estimate the clarity by giving it a good looking over. If you can't see anything with the naked eye it's probably VS2 or above.

Estimate the color by eyeballing it from the side. You'll start to see visible color on a mounted stone around H.

Use the stone finder to search on diamonds and see what comes up. It will be a huge range, but better than nothing.

 

[Niel]

Re: I know nothing about diamonds, can anyone help me with t

Are you sure the setting is 24k gold? I didnt even think they made settings like that.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Re: I know nothing about diamonds, can anyone help me with t

I would advise against estimating clarity and color yourself, if it is not your profession.

As for clarity, I need a loupe to assess clarity and a microscope once we reach the VVS-level. Eye-clean does NOT mean VS2 or better. And with each clarity-grade difference up or down meaning roughly a price-difference of 10%, the dollar-repercussion of the very rough estimate can be huge. A VS2 is less than half the value of an IF.

As for color, I appreciate some people trying this in the setting, often in non-standardized lighting. I personally have difficulty assessing color, if not in my own office under my own light. Again, each color up or down means roughly a 10% difference.

Hence, my advise to go to a good appraiser. At the same time, you will at least know for sure it is a real diamond.

Live long,