When you walk into a jewelry store, there are many beautiful diamonds available for you to choose from. Most of these are designed out of cut diamonds to look beautiful and showcase the shine and quality that many people want in their jewelry. But one unique option that you can consider for your diamond is an uncut diamond.
An uncut diamond is often an unshaped and unpolished stone. They can sometimes be lab-grown, but often they are naturally mined. This means they may also vary in size. Since there hasn’t been any work done on the diamond when it is uncut, they often cost less than a cut diamond.
Let’s take a closer look at what an uncut diamond is all about, how to figure out the worth of an uncut diamond, and how to decide whether this is the right kind of diamond for you.
How to Determine an Uncut Diamonds Worth?
Unlike cut diamonds, a rough diamond is not going to have any sparkle. The quality is going to help determine the cost of the diamond when it is finally cut. Often you can use three of the original 4C’s when it comes to figuring out the worth of an uncut diamond including:
- Carat: In most instances, the higher the carat weight, the more the uncut diamond will cost. This assumes that all other qualities between the diamonds are the same. For example, a smaller uncut diamond that is clear would still cost more than a larger rough that has many claws and is yellow.
- Clarity: Most diamonds will have flaws in them. The fewer flaws in a diamond, the higher clarity it has. A flawless raw diamond is going to be worth more than even a cut diamond that is low in clarity.
- Color: The more color found in a diamond, the less shine that it will have. If the diamond is close to colorless, even if it is uncut, it will be more expensive and rare.
- The Shape: Another thing to consider is the shape of the uncut diamond. Sometimes a large rough is going to be in a very funny shape and it needs quite a bit cut off to make a small diamond. This makes it less valuable than a smaller rough that is symmetrical and would not need as much work.
The Benefits of Purchasing an Uncut Diamond
While an uncut diamond may not look as impressive as a cut diamond, there are a few different reasons why you may consider purchasing one for your needs. To start with, they cost a lot less. The biggest reason why a lot of people will consider purchasing a rough diamond is that they cost a lot less than the cut diamonds. For example, a 1-carat diamond ring that is uncut will only be a few hundred dollars. This same ring with a cut diamond could be a few thousand dollars.
Another reason to go with this kind of ring is that it is conflict free. Uncut diamonds are conflict free because they must have what is known as the Kimberley Process Certificate to be exported or imported from any country. What this means is that the diamond was taken from an area that is war-free.
These stones can also look unique and artsy. Uncut diamond Jewelry is not that common. Most people want a cut diamond to help get the sparkle and shine of a diamond. If you want something that will stand out and get you noticed because it is unique, then an uncut diamond is a good choice.
The Negatives of Purchasing an Uncut Diamond
While there are many benefits to getting an uncut diamond, it is important to be aware of some of the drawbacks of this kind of diamond as well. Some of the most common reasons why you may want to avoid an uncut diamond include:
- They do not sparkle: If you are looking for a stone that still gets you some sparkle but does not cost as much as a diamond, then go with a white topaz or moissanite.
- They are full of flaws and dark in color: These stones are often lower in quality and will not look at nice.
- Hard to pick the right one: If you like how the rough diamond looks, then this is not as big of a deal. If you plan to have it cut later, you may struggle to pick one that will give a high-quality cut later on.
Uncut diamonds are a unique addition to the world of jewelry. While they may be lacking in some of the key areas that a cut diamond does, they can bring something beautiful and unique to the table that will make you stand out. Consider some of the points above when choosing whether to go with an uncut diamond or not.