Brown diamonds have typically been unsellable in the marketplace, but in the 1980s, diamond sellers saw an opportunity to market them as champagne colored — and suddenly they became sellable. One company actually trademarked them as chocolate diamonds. Traditionally, if the word brown is included in the GIA report, it kills the value of a stone.
Last month, a client sent us the pictured diamond and we immediately saw the brown tint and estimated our purchase price was $10,000 to $12,000. The center stone is a 5.13 carat that GIA called yellowish brown.. Everyone sees a little pink in it, but in our business, GIA is royalty — so what they say goes. When we sell it in a couple of weeks, we will likely only get $14,000 to $18,000 for it because it has brown in the title. In this case, it is a stunningly beautiful gold — a yellowish hue — and one of the most desirable of these brown-colored stones that we have ever owned. The jewel is brilliantly surrounded by 2.5 carats of extremely white diamonds, which enhances the brown center stones.
As a point of interest, if GIA had called it brownish yellow, it would be worth more money. If they had called it yellowish brown it would be worth less money. In this case they called it yellow-brown, which typically names canary as yellowish brown.
To make matters even more confusing, if GIA had called it brownish pink, it would be worth $100,000; if they had called it orangey brown, it would be worth $25,000 to $30,000. All of these prices are fair market value and the retail appraised value would be double that or more.
If you have any colored diamond pieces to sell, pay us a visit. We will treat you fairly. If you need an appointment in St. Petersburg or Tampa, give us a call or email jeffreyphess@aol.com.
We will meet you at your home, bank, or attorney’s office. Always buying diamonds, fine wristwatches, pocket watches and expensive jewelry. Gold is high; sell NOW! No estate too small or too large.
JEFF HESS, Owner & Appraiser.
Comments, questions or suggestions for this column, please send to jeffreyphess@aol.com.
St. Petersburg 1131 4th St. N, St. Petersburg FL 33701. 727.898.4377.
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Old Northeast Jewelers, Fine Jewelry and Watches, Buying and Selling since 1984.
