Right now we have a volatile financial market. Should we hide money in the mattress like our grandparents and great grandparents did? Is there going to be a run on the banks with so many failing? You can’t put your money in stocks or gold either. But now is the BEST time to invest in large diamonds – especially large stones from 1.5 carats and up.
Have you heard of the story about a gentleman during the Great Depression that hocked everything that he owned to buy land and came out a very, very rich man once it was over? We are close to the same position as the Great Depression.
In recent times when the stock market dropped down to dangerous levels, everyone who had money invested in large diamonds instead of the stock market. Now, no one is investing in diamonds. Currently, the diamond market is dropping. Rapaport Diamond Sheet, the “Kelly Blue Book” and jewelry industry pricing guide for diamonds, has dropped prices on diamonds because no one is buying larger diamonds in the current recessionary market.
Buy Diamonds here. There are several places to go to buy a diamond. Your best deals are going to be the ones that you have to work for. Do your homework, shop, compare and do your homework again. Look online too. Blue Nile.com and Amazon.com have good online reputations. Estate and second hand dealers are going to give the best prices. They usually sell their merchandise quicker. Therefore, the savings can be greater.
Certified is best. If you can, get a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certified diamond. Do know that you will pay a bit more for a GIA certified diamond but the information contained in current certificates is rarely disputed. Or, have a reliable GIA Graduate Gemologist and/or jewelry professional that you trust in your corner to counsel you about your purchase and make sure the certificate or other information you have received are one and the same. If the diamond does not correlate exactly to the certificate or the information given to you from the Seller, make sure that you can return the diamond. Be careful and check the return policy before you plunk down your hard earned cash.
A jewelry professional that is not employed by the Seller is your safety net. Gemological services come with a price and possibly less of a price for verbal services.
Shape is an important factor. Round is the best shape to purchase as it always trades well. Currently, Princess cuts are in fashion. Marquis and heart shaped cuts are trading with deep discounts. Know that all fancy shapes go through trends with the exception of round. Round is the shape that is always in fashion. The Rapaport Diamond Report devotes a pricing sheet specifically to round diamonds.
What size to buy? Buy a minimum of a 1.00ct. 2.00cts. is better. Bigger is better. But do not sacrifice color, clarity, make, proportions and fluorescence just to get a big diamond. As an example, you would be best to buy a 1.00ct., G color, VS2 clarity, Good make and proportions with faint blue fluorescence rather than buy a 2.50ct., K color, I1 clarity, poor make and proportions and strong yellow fluorescence. Go smaller and keep all of the best colors, clarities, makes, proportions and fluorescence that you can. Just don’t go under 1.00ct. When you buy the best, it will provide you the best cash in hand later.
Tempus fugit. Know this market is fleeting and the sale won’t be a quick flip. If I had a crystal ball to tell you when market would end and when for you to sell, I would be a very rich woman. But just like anything else, it’s timing and NOW is the time! Buy and buy big!
Disclaimer: This is an opinion of a Graduate Gemologist. Use your best judgment. It is your responsibility of due diligence for your purchase and/or purchases.
