relating old grading to new

[Red_rhino69]

Hi. I have three loose diamonds that have been appraised in 1980.
The papers they come with state the size, clarity, weight, and cut.
Unfortunately I noticed that this site and another don''t use the same scales or codes as what is listed on the paper. Here are the descriptions I am referring to:
1 Round Ideal, weight 82, cutting grade 0, Colorimeter grade 3, and Clarity Grade 1. Measurements 5.94 - 5.90 x 3.65mm
2 Round Ideal, weight 82, cutting grade 0, Colorimeter grade FL4, Clarity Grade 2. Measurements 5.94 - 5.90 x 3.65mm
3 Round Ideal, weight 85, cutting grade 0, Colorimeter grade FL3.5, and Clarity Grade 3. Measurents 6.01 - 6.04 x 6.63mm

I was going to sell them back to the place they were purchased over 20 years ago but the gentleman there is saying he will buy them back for less. Have these diamonds gone down in value over 25 years? Plus, can anyone help me to translate these numbers into descriptions that can be used by the scales being used today. I understand that color grade is now D-J and that Clarity is IF to somthing like svv1, svv2, svv3. How do my old #s apply to these new scales? Please help me to understand the loss in value . Sincerely Tyler Godwin.

 

[oldminer]

The old scale number grades sound like AGS cut grades combined with a mix of old colorimeter or a seller''s in-house grading system. It wreaks of secrecy, which was what everyone was all about 25 years ago. Now the genie is out of the bottle. I can''t interpret the colors, but the cuts are probably very nice, traditional fine cuts.

in 1980 prices were stratospheric. Gold, silver, platinum were all higher then than they are today even with 25 years of inflation. Diamonds were "too the moon" pricewise and large mark-ups still existed. It is a changed world. You will not get more than what was paid back then.

When you pay retail, don''t ever expect to sell back into the trade to a wholesale buyer for more than you paid. It is likely to be totally unrealistic. Reality is you will take a large loss not much differerent than if you had bought them in 1980 and sold them in 1981. Prices dumped in 81 and the whole market nearly collapsed for a long period.

"If you don''t know history, you are doomed to repeat it." This is an old saying, not mine, that has great merit. It pertains to war and peace, but also refers to almost anything economic, too. Nearly every luxury item is worth less than what is paid for it when new. We are a consumer society and this is typical of luxury items.

 

[Red_rhino69]

Thank you for your information and a closer understanding of the reality of the market.

 

[denverappraiser]

Get them appraised by someone that does not buy diamonds from the public. There''s a list of appraisers at the top of this page under ''resources''.

What you paid is irrelevant to the subject at hand. The issue is going to be how you can sell them for and realize the most money. An appraiser should be able to tell you what you have using modern terminology and help you to design a realistic approach for selling. You can then make an informed decision about how to proceed.
Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Independent Appraisals in Denver