With so many videos and articles floating around the internet, I wanted to clear up a few things about the diamond industry and provide a different insight.
Tracing A Diamond’s Origin
While some of what you read is correct, a lot of the information out there comes from a chorus of dishonest people in the industry. Of course, the “blood diamonds” issue is still a problem in countries where gold, platinum, petroleum and other natural resources are likewise exploited, but trading sanctions and regulations have become much stricter to help eliminate these, and the United Nations Kimberley Process is observed by all reputable traders from the top of the pipeline to the bottom. The blunt reality is that a diamond’s origin cannot technically be traced unless the piece of rough was personally pulled from the ground by someone and walked through planning, cutting and distribution by that same person. What trusted and valued vendors do is to partner only with quality sources for their purchases. Sources which are highly recommended among top diamond cutters.
Profit Margins vs. Actual Diamond Value
When shopping in a local store you automatically pick up the profits built in for their overhead costs. You also encounter higher priced diamonds with much lower quality to again help cover the costs. Along with the high prices and low quality, you will encounter uneducated and therefore, dishonest people. It’s easy to hide details and lack of knowledge when they have something sparkly to show. Many people will say it’s only about what your eye perceives, that’s only true when comparing apples to apples. If they never show a true ideal cut, what can you compare it to?
Most of your online chain stores as I like to refer to them, all pull from the same pool of diamonds. There is a main database where all diamond cutters from around the world list their goods along with pictures and certificates. Some vendors will have a direct download from the site or will choose certain cutters to list diamonds without any true vetting of quality. Most of these diamonds, once purchased will only retain a value of maybe 30% of what you paid. Same is true for most of your “appointment only” vendors. If they do not have diamonds in stock to view, most likely they too have ordered something for you from the same database (“sourcing diamonds”). While overhead costs are a little less than stores, the same lower quality goods are offered to provide higher profit margins to the company.
Then you have online vendors with branded, in house diamonds. Diamonds which are cut and produced to have the most precise and exact angles. Vetted diamonds where people are very hands on. These companies have taken things a step above the competition with consistent profits. Providing diamonds with ideal parameters to maximize both brilliance as well as your investment. The diamonds they produce hold their value much better than diamonds you find elsewhere. The more knowledge consumers gain, the less the local stores and online chain stores have to offer. Cut is king and should be your first priority.
Some people will prefer a great deal or want a larger carat weight for under market price. Ultimately, they will sacrifice on the overall quality to achieve these goals. If this is the case for you, you can still find trusted diamonds providers who can provide a vetted diamond, within your parameters. Someone who can review the diamond to make sure you are maximizing performance as best as possible. For those of you who want only top quality and for the diamond to retain its true market value, check out our desired dealer listed on www.HelpBuyingADiamond.com.
MYTH: Diamonds aren’t rare
Diamonds CAN be rare! While it has been said that diamonds are just a built up commodity by amazing marketing techniques and they aren’t rare. I can disagree with this on a certain level. I won’t take away from the outstanding marketing, but rather, I think this statement stands true for more than just the diamond market. Let’s take purses for example. While they can be mass produced, people hold value in the higher quality brands. Brands made with a personal touch and higher quality materials. Is a branded purse for everyone, no but many people do value the name and the guarantees. They also value the resell on them. Were purses a status symbol 30 years ago, no but, through marketing techniques they have become more important today.
For men, let’s take a sports car. Is a Ferrari that much better than a Ford and does it perform better? It definitely retains better value. Do they provide the same thing? Yes, transportation but some people hold value in the higher quality Ferrari, even if the end results are the same.
If you are seeking something extraordinary, there are many options outside of just the rare colored diamond. Ideal Cut Diamonds, cut to very specific, ideal angles will make up less than 2% of the worlds diamonds and therefore are considered rare. Do many people today own a diamond, most likely, but not many with spectacular angles.
How To Purchase A Diamond
First, you will need to figure out what is most important to you. Quality or a great deal? If quality isn’t at the top of your list, you can try any type of chain store options. At www.HelpBuyingADiamond.com, we have hand selected the top quality diamond producer in the industry to ensure you get a true masterpiece. Something that will retain at least 70%+ of its value in the market. The diamond cutter specializes in cut performance and strives on making the cut as brilliant as possible. In order to make the cut produce maximum amounts of sparkle, the proportions and angles must be correct and working well together to return the light correctly. When you purchase a true ideal cut diamond, the value will keep much better than just a simple GIA certified triple excellent diamond.