Quick and Easy Buying Guide
Carat weight: 1 carat = 200 milligrams = 6.5 mm diameter. Doubling weight doesn't double diameter.
Diamond clarity: FL/IF/VVS/VS = super expensive, near perfect. SI = best value if you can check a photo for obvious inclusions (defects).
Color: D-G = colorless, expensive, only if you have money to burn. H-J = best value. Can go lower in gold metal settings than white metal.
Cut: Better cut ratings let more light into a diamond, making it sparkle more. Very important property, don't skimp here.
Set a budget and minimum cut (Premium). Go J color for gold and I/H for white metals. Go searching for SI1/SI2 clarity diamonds at James Allen. Pick a diamond with small/no inclusions. Choose a ring setting and buy it risk-free (60-day returns).
Selling Diamonds For Cash
There may be many reasons why a person may be interested in selling diamonds for cash. They may have bought just a diamond in preparation for a proposal, but the relationship may have ended. Or perhaps they were already in an engagement, but had not yet bought the ring setting and the engagement was broken. Alternatively, someone may just need cash really desperately.
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Whatever the situation, there are a number of ways of selling diamonds for cash.
The quickest and easiest, and hence least lucrative option, is to walk into your local pawn shop or second-hand goods shop and sell the diamond. This process is usually quick and easy but don't expect to get a good deal. If you're in a desperate hurry to sell, this can be a good option.
If you've got more time, you can list the diamond in the classifieds or online at an auction site such as eBay. The disadvantage of selling through classifieds is that it may take a lot more of your time and you have to worry about things like security since you are dealing with a potentially high-value item. Online auctions are quicker but you run the risk of selling your diamond for peanuts.
The third option is to ask around your friends and family to see if anyone is interested in buying a diamond - it's a long shot, but you should use the resources you have available to you whenever possible.
However you choose to sell your diamond, there are a few things you can do to help optimise the sale and the money you get the diamond.
Make sure you keep any packaging that the diamond came in. Keep any proof of purchase receipts and importantly, any diamond certificates especially reputable ones such as ones from the GIA. If you're selling a diamond online or through the classifieds, you may also want to take some high-resolution photos of the diamond to show its clarity (you can't really show diamond colour in a photo unless it is a fancy colour diamond).