The actual value of your diamond earrings are determined by adding the value of the non-diamond component with the value of any diamonds or gemstones. Which makes sense, of course. We’re generally purchasing your unwanted diamond jewelry for its parts, rather than for the piece as a whole. In some rare cases, we are able to offer a price above just the value of the gold and diamonds, like if there is a premium brand name attached to the piece.

Diamond Karma’s diamond value calculator is a good place to start if you’d like a rough valuation of your diamond (assuming you have a certification or are confident in the grading of each of the 4 C’s). But as mentioned above, the 4 C’s essentially determine the value of the diamond itself.

Clarity

Clarity refers to the presence of internal flaws (inclusions) and external blemishes in a diamond. Diamonds are graded on a scale ranging from Flawless (no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification) to Included (inclusions and/or blemishes visible to the naked eye). Diamonds with fewer inclusions and blemishes are more valuable.

If there are NO inclusions, that’s a sign that the diamond is lab grown. While lab grown diamonds look amazing and can be a good ethical choice, it unfortunately significantly reduces their resale value. At Cash for Gold Mailer, we rarely buy lab-grown diamonds.

Carats (Weight)

Carat is a unit of measurement for diamonds. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. Larger diamonds generally command higher prices, but other factors such as cut, color, and clarity also play a significant role in determining the overall value.

Color

The color grade of a diamond is a measure of how colorless or “white” it is. The GIA grades diamonds on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The less color a diamond has, the more valuable it is considered to be.

Cut

The cut of a diamond refers to how well the diamond has been shaped and faceted. It is not about the shape (round, princess, etc.) but rather the quality of the cut, which influences how well the diamond reflects light. A well-cut diamond will sparkle more, making it more valuable.

Evaluating the value of gold and other pieces

If you’d like to calculate the value of the gold, you’ll want to learn how to determine the amount of gold in your jewelry. The value of the gold in your earrings depends on the price of gold, weight, and purity of the gold.

The calculation would be very similar if the diamond is primarily made out of another metal, such as platinum (more valuable) or silver (less valuable).