One of the popular discussion pieces of the discourse about lab-grown diamonds is that they “have no resale value. That’s why you should buy natural, mined stones. They’re a better store of value.” I’m a fan of natural diamonds, but I’m here to say that selling lab-grown diamonds usually isn’t a problem. I can sell them, and I’ll help you to sell them too. It’s not even that hard:
Nearly any undamaged CVD or HPHT lab-grown diamond over a carat or so that’s accompanied by grading paperwork from GCAL, IGI, or GIA. Any shape. Any clarity. Any color. I’ll do an appraisal and arrange for an inspection to get you a no-obligation offer. If the mounting is gold or platinum, Buyers are interested in that too. It’s as simple as that. What you’re reading online about how it’s impossible simply is not true, you CAN sell lab-created diamonds, and I am prepared to prove it.
Update:
Since the original publication of this article in 2021, we have released new content that offers updated insights into the lab-grown diamond market. While this article still has valuable insight, we recommend reading the following articles for the latest information:
Here’s What They WON’T Buy:
Cubic zirconia. Moissanite. ‘Hybrid’ diamonds. Diamondite. Diamondoid. Any stone that is pretending to be a lab-created diamond but that’s really something else. Stones without paperwork or paperwork from other labs. Any stone with damage.
(If you have a stone which you are unsure of, schedule an appointment with an appraiser such as myself.)
Here’s What Types of Lab-Grown Diamonds They MIGHT Buy:
Stones graded by other labs or without paperwork. I have relations with all 3 of these labs and I can arrange to get them graded for you, whether you sell them or not, and I can grade them in-house. There’s a fee for this, of course; and, if it’s going to go out to a lab, it takes a bit of time.
Here’s What You Can Expect From Your Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Journey
Prices change almost daily—and mostly, they’re dropping at the moment. Sad panda. What they pay tomorrow will probably be less than what they will pay today. Expect the resale value to be about 1/2 – 1/3 of the current asking prices new for comparable stones advertised on the internet. Check out www.jamesallen.com, www.bluenile.com, www.rarecarat.com, or www.brilliantearth.com for a benchmark. Please note, the amount you’ll see on resale is not the same as what it might have appraised for, even if the appraisal was written by me. That normally has to do with an estimate of what it would cost your insurance company to replace it in the case of a covered loss. That’s a totally different thing. It also isn’t based on what you paid. I can only assist with stones that I’ve personally inspected, and I do not guarantee an offer on anything. Bids are not appraisals.
This declining market is what is confusing folks. Imagine a stone, say 2 carat VS1, F, IGI round ideal. Pretty nice stone! In 2018, those cost about $20,000 at the mall. Now they’re more like $8k. But there’s more. At the discount places they’re more like $5k. That’s what the bid is going to be based on, so expect offers near $2500. That’s today (November 12, 2022). It’s likely to be less next month.
So… Who Actually Buys Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Buyers for lab-grown diamonds vary a lot from one place to the next. What they will or won’t buy includes details like what they have in inventory, how much money they have, and other variables that aren’t gemological properties. Popular buyers are pawnshops, salvage buyers like the Gold Buying places, certain retail jewelers, They advertise with Google and Facebook as well as lower profile sorts of places. If you’ve got an appraisal, ask your appraiser.
Direct retail. That means friends, relatives, friends of friends, coworkers, Facebook, eBay, etc. This is where the most money is, and it’s where the most risk is. It has a lot to do with how good you are at selling things and not-so-much to do with what you have. If you know any people shopping for a lab-grown diamond, start there. Consider getting a recent appraisal and definitely get a credible lab report if you’re going to go this path. For online sales, take sensible precautions about giving out your address and dealing with strangers.
Do You Need A Jewelry Appraisal in Denver, Colorado?
The American Gem Registry provides a variety of jewelry appraisal services in Denver, Colorado:
- Gem and Jewelry Appraisals
- Estate Evaluations
- Expert Witness
- Pre-Custom Consultation
- Re-Cut Consultation
- Damage Consultation
- Restoration Evaluation
- Fair-Market Value Appraisals
- Insurance Appraisals
If you have any questions, please call during my normal business hours at the number below. Or, you can schedule your Jewelry Appraisal Appointment online today!
