Q) What diamond shape is the most popular?
We sell all diamond shapes and have noticed over the past few years that round-cut diamonds are the most popular, followed by oval and princess-cut diamonds.
Q) What diamond shape is the best value for money?
Cushion-cut diamonds generally have the least amount of wastage or off-cuts when polished from the rough diamond stone, due to the nature of a raw diamond’s crystal that is similar to the cushion-cut diamond‘s shape. This means you pay less for a 1ct cushion-cut diamond compared to other 1ct diamond shapes.
Q) Why are diamonds from Cape Diamonds the best-priced in South Africa?
We have spent 20 years researching the diamond market and sourcing the highest quality stones at the most affordable prices, allowing us to sell the highest quality GIA certified diamonds for wholesale prices rather than retail prices.
Q) Are diamonds from Cape Diamonds the same quality as diamonds from more expensive retail stores?
Cape Diamonds only sells GIA graded diamonds. The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) impartially assesses all diamonds according to the “4 Cs”, namely: Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat size. A diamond is valued by the 4 Cs and not by the place where it is purchased. All retailers have their own mark-up percentages.
Q) Why are diamonds from Cape Diamonds the best-priced in South Africa?
We have spent 20 years researching the diamond market and sourcing the highest quality stones at the most affordable prices, allowing us to sell the highest quality GIA certified diamonds for wholesale prices rather than retail prices.
Q) What is the GIA?
The GIA (Gemological Institution of America) is an independent and non-profit organisation that grades diamonds, mined from all over the world, according to size and quality. They have offices to service jewellers in many countries. They do not purchase, buy, sell or trade diamonds. The GIA is the most trusted grading institution of its kind.
Q) Why are GIA diamond grading reports important?
A GIA diamond grading report is essential to obtain when purchasing a diamond. Without it, the diamond has no worth as its origins are unknown, making the diamond at risk of being considered as a lab-made diamond or an illegally mined stone.
All GIA diamonds have a unique serial number that is engraved with a nano-laser on the girdle or side of the stone. This number can be seen under a special magnification tool in our showroom as each digit is a 1000th of a millimetre in size. Always look at the serial number on the diamond to make sure it matches the number stated on the GIA report.
Q) What other uses does the GIA number have?
If you take your ring into a jeweller to be cleaned, you can ask to see the number to make sure the diamond has not been swapped for a less valuable diamond or fake stone. You may be able to track your diamond if it is stolen, by alerting second-hand diamond dealers and law enforcement officers that your stone has a unique serial number.
Q) How common are “blood diamonds” in South Africa?
Blood diamonds are uncommon in South Africa however they have been fuelling civil wars in North and West Africa. South African laws are extremely strict regarding blood diamonds and all diamonds entering the country are inspected by a government body called the South African Diamond and Precious Metal Regulator. It is unlikely that any conflict diamonds will be available in the southern hemisphere as they generally move North where there is a larger market.
Q) Does Cape Diamond sell diamonds without VAT?
All legal diamonds in South Africa are sold with VAT included. If VAT is not included in the price, you should question its origin as it could be linked to a stolen diamond or blood diamond.
We do not buy or sell second-hand diamonds due to the nature of the high crime rate in South Africa. However, if you are a tourist, then you are able to claim the VAT back at the airport when leaving the country, which is a significant saving. All our diamonds that are sold to countries outside of South Africa will not include VAT, but they will have import duties according to each specific country’s legislation.
Q) Are diamonds with a bigger carat size the most valuable?
A popular belief is that the bigger the carat size, the more valuable the diamond. This is simply not true. You can purchase a 3ct diamond with inclusions that is lower in value than a 2ct flawless diamond. Some people prefer quality over size. When choosing a diamond, make sure it has no embarrassingly visible flaws. We only select diamonds that have great resale value.
Q) What is the best diamond colour?
According to the GIA colour grade scale, which the entire industry uses, the “D” colour diamond is the whitest or most “colourless” diamond, making it superior to all colours due to the optimal white sparkle emanating from its transparent nature. “D” diamonds are also the rarest colour of all. “D” diamonds are best suited to platinum and white gold settings. Diamonds below the colour “K” have very poor resale value.
Q) What is the cheapest “near-colourless” diamond colour?
The price of a diamond is influenced by all the 4 Cs, as certified by the GIA. While the colour is an important factor in determining the price, is it difficult to say which would be the cheapest if you are comparing diamonds of different colours, clarity grades and carat sizes. If you are comparing two “SI2” diamonds, then the cheapest
diamond of the “near colourless” range would be the “I” diamond.
Q) What is the best clarity for a diamond?
The highest clarity is “flawless”, as certified by the GIA. Flawless diamonds reveal absolutely no inclusions whatsoever, even under magnification with a jeweller’s loupe. These diamonds cost more and should only be paired with colour “D” for a safe investment. To the naked eye, a diamond with a clarity of “VS1” or “VS2” will appear identical, but it will be less valuable.
Q) What is the best cut for a diamond?
Cape Diamonds offers only excellent-cut round diamonds and “very good” to “excellent” cuts in other diamond shapes. The jewellery industry standards dictate that any diamond over 0.5ct should have “excellent” cut, polish and symmetry, while any diamond that is not round in shape is accepted with a “very good” symmetry and polish.
Q) Are diamonds a good investment?
Diamonds are a great form of portable wealth that not only retain financial worth but also hold sentimental value. The sweet spot in selecting a diamond as an investment would be to combine the best combination of colour and clarity that is in most demand globally.
We have found that the combination of diamond that we sell the most are diamonds of the “D” colour, paired with a “VS1” or “VS2’ clarity. “D” colour diamonds with “SI2” clarity are a great investment as long, as the imperfections cannot be seen with the naked eye. High-quality colours should be paired with similarly high-quality clarity grades, for optimal shine and the most promising resale value. We select the most commonly sold combinations of diamonds. We do not generally sell a diamond combining a poor colour with a high clarity or one showing very noticeable visible flaws, as both of those types of diamonds have low resale value.
Q) Why are diamonds expensive purchases?
It is generally understood that it takes 250 tons of rock mining to produce a single carat diamond. The machinery, labour and post-production of cutting and polishing all adds to the justification of diamonds’ expense and value.
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