FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Screenname]

Is it just the cut that adds value to the diamond or are they just as valuable in rough form? I know that some cuts, such as the brilliant cut will sell for a lot more than a basic cut but still the basic cut one is worth a lot too. And what make the diamond so valuable in the first place? Not like it looks any different than a crystal, CZ, or even glass?

[Jim]

[Screenname]

Ok that really helps and thank you but what makes them so expensive? After all you said it yourself, they aren't rare so why so expensive? Or is it just more of a supply and demand thing? And if so why do people want diamonds so bad? I think I figured it out.

1. They are expensive because everyone wants them

2. Everyone wants them because they are expensive

and one more thing aren't there stones far more valuable and yet in jewelry they don't sell for more. Aren't rubies more valuable and yet diamond jewelry tends to cost more than rubies don't they?

[Gail]

I think a lot of the value of the diamond is the hardness of the cut stone.
I know I have rings with other gemstones that seem to be scratched over time, but my diamond ring ( thank you very much Jim Spann ) is not marked whatsoever.
When women wear a diamond for years on end, this really is a nice thing and it is good to still have your diamond looking as good as new 30-40 years later.
Just my woman's point of view, but one that really does make sense.

[Screenname]

Thank you Gail I never really put much though into that, I thought maybe it was just marketing scheme.

[Gail]

[Screenname]

I guess that is why as jewelry some stones are worth more than others and as stones others are worth more than some, thank you both you have been very helpful

[gemlover]

not only the 4 Cs, and the hardness, the physical/optical and chemical properties of diamond are different from any other gemstone. yes, CZ can be pretty, however, few folk take the time to cut CZ with the care they do Diamond. diamonds are unique. I don't do much work with them, lower market pricing for my work. and i absolutely love colored stones. rarity is controlled by the bourses that sell/but the diamonds, the major company does not want to release too many stones to the market. this keeps the price up.

[Jason]

I have big hangups about diamonds..as a colored gem nut, diamonds are just junk to me..if any one had an idea of the massive amounts of diamonds found each year and stockpiled in London, New York, Antwerp, Tel Aviv, South African de Beers offices, and the Russian vaults you would think they were as common as rock crystal..of course all of us know the whole monopoly story with debeers and one of the most brillant marketing campaigns even(D is forever) then you understand why something so common is so expensive...there are whole books on it..don't get me wrong..i love stories of historical diamonds, diamond mining, locations, and most aspects of diamonds in general but i truly hate the biggest rip-off and misconception in gems there is...instead of a diamond on your wedding day..how about a sweet sapphire or a nice spinel or tourmaline

[Screenname]

gemlover I have a ring with a CZ that is brilliant cut, in fact I have several brilliant cut loose stones one that I believe is a diamond the others if they are diamonds are big so i doubt they are but yes they do take the time to cut CZ brilliantly I guess you could say.

[Gail]

Bottom line, you purchase what you like. Then you are happy, right?

[Jim]

Hi Daniel,

The market value of diamonds is artificially manipulated, yes, but then again there is a good argument that this situation helps stabilize a good part of the gem market. But, fine rubies are almost always more valuable than comparable size diamonds of near colorless color.

Diamonds are valued so highly because of the marketing -- that is true, but also because some diamonds are among the rarest of gems. Specifically, diamonds are not just colorless (in fact, purely colorless stones are rare). Diamonds are also colored stones. Colored diamonds are rarer than rubies and compete well with any other colored gemstone of wearable hardness. And cut diamonds have wonderful dispersion and stability. Thus, diamonds are an ideal gemstone all around.

Cheers,

[Jason]

some good points, Jim..but i must point out that even the colored diamonds are technically not cosidered "colored gems" The term "colored stones/gems" is for ever other stone but diamond even including colored diamonds..sounds a little funny but wanted to make that disticntion known for others. yes the diamond market is so manipulated which is why here in the US we arrest and fine companies and people who do this..it's unfair, unscupulous, and just plain bad business especially when the consumer has to pay for it but on the other hand..it is a luxary item and is not essential so if someone wants to pay whatever price for any gem thats their perogative, ya know...don't see any debeers folks here9in the US) do we?

[Screenname]

I just started thinking about that scene from Gulliver's Travels where all those guys were fighting over the diamonds and yet there thousands of them on the beach or something like that, it's been a while since I seen the movie, at least I think that's the movie I seen that in.