Have some diamond jewelry or some loose diamonds laying around? If so, you’re probably wondering “how much is my diamond worth?”

Selling diamonds and old jewelry is a fast and easy way to make a few extra bucks — especially if the jewelry doesn’t hold any particular sentimental value.

Unlike gold jewelry, a diamond’s value is calculated by many more factors than simply weight alone. Sure, many factors determine the cost of gold, but when you sell your gold jewelry, most locations calculate the value based on nothing more than weight.

Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to calculate the worth of a diamond on your own. Diamonds and jewelry must be appraised by qualified professionals.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t get somewhat of an answer to the question “how much is my diamond worth” on your own.

Wondering “How Much is My Diamond Worth?” Here’s What Appraisers Consider…

It isn’t easy to determine exactly how much your diamond is worth. Appraisers take many factors into consideration. Color, clarity, cut and carat — otherwise known as the four Cs.

Next, the appraiser must consider the band and setting. Is it in good shape? What is the material?

Finally, other external factors contribute to the cost of diamonds such as market value. In other words, your diamond is worth exactly what other people are willing to pay for it. Still, this doesn’t mean you’ll get exactly what it’s worth (but we’ll get to that later).

The Geological Institute of America (GIA) has an official grading system for calculating the worth of diamonds and diamond rings Here’s what appraisers typically consider when you bring in either a loose diamond or diamond jewelry.

1. Color

Although chocolate or pink diamonds are all the rage right now, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re worth more money.

If you have a white diamond, appraisers look to see how “white” it is. Any yellowish or brownish tints can significantly degrade the stone’s value.

When it comes to colored diamonds, the prices fluctuate even more.

Naturally occurring colored diamonds may be worth way more than white diamonds due to their rarity. The Hope Diamond, for example, is dark blue and worth nearly $250 million dollars.

Fun fact: many people possessing (or attempting to steal) the Hope Diamond throughout history have met untimely fates.

Other rare colors include yellow, pink, and red — the rarest of all.

Minerals in the soil contribute to a diamond’s color. Boron results in a blue diamond while graphite may produce a black or gray diamond.

However, manufacturers may also alter a diamond’s color. These artificially colored diamonds don’t carry the same value as their naturally occurring counterparts.

When appraisers look at a diamond’s color, they usually consider how appealing it is to the eye along with its rarity.

A grading scale ranging from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow) determines the stone’s color, grade, type, and potential value.

2. Clarity

As appraisers evaluate color, they also look at the stone’s clarity.

At this stage, appraisers look for any defects or abnormalities called “blemishes” and “inclusions.” Blemishes are located on the diamond’s surface while inclusions are within the stone.

Most of these defects are not visible to the naked eye so appraisers use binocular equipment at 10x magnification.

After identifying any inclusions or blemishes, appraisers rank the diamond on a scale from flawless (completely clear) to included (obvious flaws or cloudiness). In between these two rankings are varying degrees of clarity including internally flawless, very very slightly included, very slightly included, and slightly included.

This system is used by the GIA, but other organizations such as the American Gem Society and World Jewellry Confederation have their own ranking systems.

Diamond inclusion shaped like a unicorn.

Inclusions or internal characteristics may include:

• Clouds
• Feathers
• Graining
• Laser lines
• Crystals
• Cavities
• Knots
• Twinning wisps

Blemishes on the diamond’s surface could include:

• Polish lines
• Nicks
• Scratches
• Pits
• Chips
• Breaks
• Dark spots or light spots

A completely clear or “flawless” diamond is most valuable due to its aesthetic appeal and market value.

3. Cut

Contrary to what the term implies, a diamond’s cut does not refer to its shape.

Instead, it describes the stone’s internal and external characteristics and crystal structure. Diamonds with a high-quality cut are more brilliant and luminous.

When appraisers evaluate the stone’s cut, they look at facets inside the diamond that contribute to three factors: symmetry, polish, and proportions.

These three factors go hand-in-hand. Diamonds with an exceptional polish are often more symmetrical and reflect light in a special way.

Diamond cutters take the cut into consideration when developing the shape and exterior cut of the diamond. In addition to considering the interior cut, appraisers also look at the exterior cut by evaluating at least three factors:

• Table size: the largest central facet. A medium size is ideal.
• Crown height and angle: angled portion on top of the diamond.
• Pavilion depth and angle: angled portion on the bottom of the diamond.
• Girdle thickness and diameter: the area between where the crown meets the pavilion

Each portion of the stone contains its own facets which appraisers will examine. When a diamond is perfectly symmetrical and exhibits crisp angles, this is referred to as the “heart and arrows phenomenon” due to the pattern’s resembling hearts and arrows.

Diamond cuts have changed drastically over the centuries. Table-cut stones or old single cuts were popular in the 15th century.

Now, several fancy cuts are available in addition to traditional brilliant rounds.

4. Weight

What might be the most significant factor contributing to a diamond’s overall value is its weight or carat. Carats are used for measuring the mass of not only diamonds but all gemstones and pearls.

One carat equals 0.2 grams and each carat correlates with a particular price. Diamonds that weigh more are usually — but not always — worth more than lighter diamonds.

However, size often plays a more important factor than weight. Large diamonds are almost always worth much more than their smaller counterparts. As a result, the price per carat increases as the diamond’s size increases.

This is because large diamonds are much rarer than small diamonds. And when it comes to gemstones, rarity and appearance reign supreme for determining the price.

Are the Stones Loose or Mounted?

Each situation has its ups and downs.

If your stone is mounted in a setting — like in earings or on a band — it can be significantly harder to appraise. For mounted diamonds, the appraiser will have to estimate the weight so it won’t be entirely accurate.

A setting can also hide certain flaws or give an inaccurate depiction of color and clarity. A diamond on a gold setting, for example, could make the stone appear yellowish which would decrease its value.

At the same time, you could receive more money if you sell the diamond along with a gold setting.

Setting and Band

Just like the diamonds, many factors determine the price of your setting or ring band.

The first thing appraisers consider is the type of metal. Is it silver, gold, platinum, or something else? If the diamond is attached to the setting, they’ll need to estimate the weight. Keep in mind that metals have different grades. Gold, for example, uses the karat system. (Not to be confused with carats for diamonds.)

They also take condition into consideration. Obviously, scratched bands and worn out prongs will significantly reduce the piece’s value.
The appraiser may also look at the setting’s design. Intricate patterns and shapes are more difficult to create and much more labor intensive so this increases the setting’s value.

Determining the Value of a Diamond Ring

Now you need to determine the value of the loose diamond or piece of jewelry to answer your question “how much is my diamond worth.”

Since the value of diamonds is based on much more than just weight alone, it’s hard to determine exactly what yours is worth.

Plus, the market value significantly impacts the price of your diamond. If people collectively and suddenly stopped considering diamonds to be valuable, their price would plummet.

Diamonds are only worth what people are willing to pay for them.

The rarer the diamond, the more people are willing to pay.

Once you’ve figured out how much your diamond is worth, you’ll need to find someone willing to pay close to the value. Easier said than done.

Deciding where to take your diamond after you’ve determined its value makes all the difference. Pawn shops typically sell their gemstones and gold to third parties like jewelry makers. Unless you sell the diamond or jewelry yourself, you’re probably not going to get what it’s really worth. Remember: all businesses need to make a profit off the transaction.

Even if you sell it yourself, you still probably won’t get exactly what you paid for it. Anything pre-owned usually sells for less than the same item new.

As you can see, that’s why it’s important to understand the real value of your diamond — so you can get as close to that value as possible when you decide it’s time to sell it.
Focus keyword: how much is my diamond worth?

Selling your jewelry is always a great way to make some quick cash.

Even if you aren’t thinking of selling your ring, it’s still important to have an answer to the question “how much is my ring worth” for insurance purposes or even simple interest.
Either way, if you want to figure out the value of your ring, you’ll need to think like an appraiser.

How Much is My Ring Worth?

Many factors determine the cost of your ring. If you want a solid answer to the question “how much is my ring worth,” your best option is to get it appraised.
A qualified professional has the proper skills and education to evaluate the jewelry. This way, you’ll know exactly what you should be asking for it should you want to sell it.
An appraiser will take many factors into consideration such as the center stone, diamond certificates, where you bought it, how much you paid for it, and how old it is.
Still, this doesn’t mean you can’t do a general evaluation on your own. Even if you don’t want to sell the jewelry, it’s still nice to know exactly how much your ring is worth — even if only for bragging purposes.

The Center Stone

It’s common for rings to have one large stone in the center. If yours does, what type of gemstone is it? Different gemstones are worth different amounts of money per carat.

Many people think diamonds are some of the most valuable gems. They’re certainly up there at $2,000 to $15,000 per carat, but white diamonds rank well below a handful of other gemstones.

A gemstone’s value mainly depends upon its rarity. Red diamonds are some of the most valuable gemstones in the world at about $1,000,000 per carat. Other pricey stones include fire opal, benitoite, and red beryl.

Rubies can range in price from $100 to nearly $15,000 per carat. Sapphires prices also vary drastically between $20 to several thousand per carat.

Gemstone Quality Factors

The value of diamonds and other precious stones depends upon four factors: carat (weight), color, cut, and clarity otherwise known as the four Cs.

Some gemstones, like opals, have additional quality factors due to their unique mineral deposits.

1. Color: Each gemstone variety has its own ideal color.

When it comes to diamonds, white is best and any yellow or brown tints can reduce the stone’s value. Unless, of course, the diamond is of a naturally occurring blue or red variety.
Artificially colored diamonds don’t hold the same value. As a general rule: the rarer and more aesthetically appealing, the higher the price.

2. Clarity: With many gemstones — and especially diamonds — the clearer the better. If the stone is cloudy that can decrease its value.

Appraisers also look for discrepancies both inside and outside the gemstone. Blemishes appear on the stone’s exterior while inclusions are inside the stone’s structure. The Gemological Institute of America (GMI) has a special chart for grading a diamond’s clarity.

In other gemstones, like opals, experts usually revere opaqueness instead of clarity.

3. Cut: A stone’s cut doesn’t necessarily refer to its shape but rather the structure and inferior facets. In a transparent stone like a diamond, the appraiser will look at the stone’s symmetry and brilliance.

The cut also refers to the stone’s polishing and exterior structural points such as the table, crown, girdle, and pavilion.

4. Carat: Carats refer to the stone’s weight. One carat weighs 0.2 grams.

It’s important to keep in mind that larger stones are significantly more valuable than smaller stones. So the price per carat amount increases as the size of the stone increases.

Larger stones are much rarer than smaller ones so this is taken into consideration when determining their price per carat.

5. Additional factors: In some stones, experts look for color patterns, textures, and other factors relative to the specific variety.

Diamond or Gemstone Certificate

When you bought your ring, you may have received a certificate of authenticity for the diamond or gemstone.

A handful of organizations evaluate and certify gemstones. The most reputable organizations include the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), HRD Antwerp, the International Gemological Institute (IGI), and Gemological Science International (GSI).

Each organization differs in its evaluation techniques and many have their own scales for measuring clarity, cut, and color.

If you don’t have a certificate, you can send your stone to an organization’s lab for testing and evaluation. This might be worth considering if you’re wondering “how much is my ring worth” and you think it may hold significant value.

The Type of Metal

The value of your ring’s metal varies even more than that of the gemstone’s. This is because metals like gold are traded on the open market and their value fluctuates — sometimes drastically — every day.

Most rings are made with either gold, silver, or platinum. Each metal has its own criteria for measuring purity.

Gold, for example, uses the karat system. The higher the karat, the purer the gold. Although 24 karat is the stereotypical ideal, this level of gold is uncommon and somewhat undesirable due to its softness.

Most silver jewelry has the purity percentage stamped into the piece.

People tend to think that platinum is more valuable than gold, but this is not always the case. Platinum is actually much more abundant than gold but it is more expensive to produce. As a result, sometimes gold is worth more than platinum and sometimes it’s not.

Experts will also take the ring’s design into consideration. Jewelry with labor-intensive intricate patterns is usually worth more money than a simple band.

How Much Did You Pay for It and Where Did You Buy It?

When you visit an appraiser and ask “how much is my ring worth,” they’ll probably ask where you bought it and how much you paid.

Unfortunately, you’ll likely only receive between 20% and 45% of what you originally paid. This is because all buyers need to turn a profit from the transaction and preowned jewelry doesn’t sell as well as new jewelry.

There is, however, an exception to this: brand recognition.

Brand names matter when it comes to jewelry. If you have a piece from Cartier or Tiffany & Co., for example, you may receive closer to 50% of your original price provided you have the original packaging and paperwork.

How Old Is It?

If you have a vintage or antique ring, you can throw many other factors on this list out the window.

Vintage jewelry includes anything between 20 and 100 years old. Antiques are anything older than 100.

If you think you have a valuable vintage or antique piece, you should seek out an expert appraiser to help you understand the ring’s origin and price.

A skilled appraiser should also understand the changing trends and history relative to vintage jewelry.

How to Get the Best Price

If you want to get the best price for your ring, where you go matters.

Seek out second opinions from appraisers to make sure they don’t miss anything. After you get a good idea as to what the ring’s worth, you need to find someone to buy it.

You’ll get the most amount of money if you seek out a buyer on your own. Unfortunately, this method also requires a lot of legwork. You could try Craigslist and eBay, but many buyers on these platforms may not understand the significance of your ring’s value so you still may not get exactly what you are looking for.

Pawn shops usually don’t pay very high either because they often sell gemstones and metals to jewelers or smelters to melt down.

Consignment centers and pawn shops can help you sell the jewelry, but they usually take a cut.

Your best bet is to try a variety of options. Contact jewelers and other third-party sellers to see who can give you the best offer.

So, How Much is My Ring Worth?

The price of your ring depends on many factors including gemstones, type of metal, age, and original price.

Your ring’s gemstones and metal should be evaluated individually for a variety of factors. The value of metals depends upon their purity. Gemstones, on the other hand, have many quality factors including clarity, cut, and color.

Antique pieces are significantly more valuable than modern rings. Brand name also matters quite a bit.

If your ring includes rare or large gemstones and is particularly stunning, it could probably fetch you a pretty penny.

At the end of the day, jewelry is all about rarity and beauty.