Before You Sell Your Diamond Jewelry, Here’s What To Know About Natural Diamonds

The debate surrounding natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds has become more intense than ever, with staunch advocates on both sides. While each has its own benefits and drawbacks, including value, ethics, and environmental impact, natural diamonds are still the most prevalent type of diamond in jewelry by far.

If you’re planning to sell diamond jewelry, whether it’s natural or lab-grown (or whether you’re unsure), here is everything you need to know about natural diamonds to help you make an informed decision about the value of your diamond jewelry.

What Are Natural Diamonds?

Natural diamonds are the most widely used gemstone in the world, coveted for their sparkle, durability, and timeless beauty. These beloved stones are made of pure carbon and are formed deep below the Earth’s surface over the course of billions of years. Formed within the Earth’s mantle, diamonds have no human intervention until their mining.

Natural diamonds are the hardest substance on Earth. In fact, they can only be scratched with another diamond. This durability, combined with their dazzling beauty, makes them one of the most sought-after gemstones on the market for all types of jewelry, especially engagement rings.

How Are Natural Diamonds Formed?

One of the reasons why diamonds are so coveted is because of their extreme formation process, which makes them relatively rare. Natural diamonds are formed under intense heat and pressure deep below the Earth’s surface. Formed over the course of billions of years, they’re one of Earth’s oldest natural resources.

The process of diamond formation begins with carbon atoms that are trapped thousands of miles under the Earth’s surface. These carbon atoms are exposed to extreme heat and intense pressure, causing them to crystallize and eventually form diamonds. Over time, these diamonds are pushed up to the Earth’s surface through volcanic eruptions. Miners then search for these diamonds, known as “rough” diamonds, which are then cut and polished to reveal their natural beauty. Then, they’re set into diamond jewelry for you to buy and sell!

What Are Natural-Colored Diamonds?

Natural-colored diamonds, also known as fancy-colored diamonds, are diamonds that have developed their color naturally during their formation in the Earth’s mantle. While they’re formed largely the same way as colorless diamonds, there is one distinct difference — the presence of trace elements during their formation.

These trace elements, such as nitrogen, sulfur, or boron, can cause the diamond to take on different hues, making them truly one-of-a-kind. Colored diamonds come in a wide variety of shades, most commonly yellow, green, and blue. Due to their rarity, natural-colored diamonds are highly sought after and tend to cost much more than traditional colorless diamonds.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Natural Diamonds?

In recent years, lab-grown diamonds have gained popularity for their sustainability, affordability, and ethical sourcing. However, most consumers still prefer natural diamonds for their durability, unique beauty, and long-term value.

If you’re looking to buy or sell diamond jewelry, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each type of diamond so you’re fully aware of the quality of what you are purchasing as well as its value. If you’re seeking an affordable option above all else, lab-grown diamonds are the way to go. However, if you want to invest in a beautiful jewelry piece that will hold its value in the long run, there’s no replacement for natural diamonds.

If you’re ready to sell diamond jewelry that’s been gathering dust in your collection, Watch & Wares can help. We have 30 years of experience lending, buying, and selling diamond jewelry, and our staff is comprised of some of the most experienced professionals in the industry. Our team has worked for prestige names like Tiffany & Co., and we guarantee a luxury diamond-selling experience with each visit. To receive an estimate for your diamond’s value, give Watch & Wares a call at 714-633-2030 or fill out our online contact form today. You can also stop by our Orange, CA, location Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We look forward to working with you!