Is It a Good Idea to Buy an Uncut Diamond?

Lately, purchasing an uncut diamond has become extremely trendy because it saves a lot of money and lets you focus on other aspects of your budget.

Many people wonder whether it is worthy using diamonds in such form, or not. Perhaps, it’s still better to spend a little more for a sparkly and polished diamond?

In this article, we’re going to explain what this artsy kind of diamond is. We’ll also cover the pros and cons of purchasing uncut diamond for an engagement ring decoration or some other purpose.

Uncut diamond often gets sold to retailers or jewels who then cut, polish and re-adjust the size of a diamond before they are released into the retail market.

However, as of late, many consumers have expressed the wish to use rough, also known as uncut diamond. They either choose to use a rough gemstone as decoration, or find a cheaper expert who can cut the diamond for them.

It’s worth noting that these people don’t know much about the prices of such types of diamonds before purchasing.

In this guide, we’re bringing forth everything we know so far about the uncut diamond and how purchasing one can save you a lot of money on the go.

What is an uncut diamond?

There are multiple names that the uncut diamonds go by. But, the most common names for it, aside from “uncut,” are mostly raw and rough. These types of diamonds can be found in two forms.

While many scientists and retailers prefer their uncut diamonds grown in a lab, they can still be found in nature. They are often dug out by miners, which also contributes to fluctuations in uncut diamond sizes.

The uncut diamond can be found anywhere in the world. There is a total of about 35 countries which are sources of this shining gem.

Most commonly, the diamond can be dug out in South Africa, Russia, and Botswana. Some other popular locations also include India, Russia, Siberia, Brazil, China, Canada, and the United States.

In Africa, the most popular mining locations include Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania.

In the United States, Arkansas, Colorado, and Wyoming are the most popular hotspots for mining diamonds. The Colorado-Wyoming state line area being the most prominent one.

Diamonds in Canada became popular once the corruption-conflict started in Africa. The EKATI diamond mine in the North of Yellowknife can produce an average 4-5 million carats per annum. It’s worth mentioning that this was the first mine in Canada.

Because they aren’t industrially processed, uncut diamonds are also less expensive. Also, they don’t require cutting, polishing, and other processing methods.

Those methods usually make them as sparkly as the diamonds you see on advertisements or other people’s engagement rings. The question that arises is whether the uncut diamond is more worth buying just because it’s cheaper?

You may also be interested: White Sapphire Engagement Ring: A Better Way to Do It?

The 4Cs to Determine Diamonds Value

The uncut diamond is less common to be seen. Most of the time, diamonds appear in all the advertisements. You can find people carry them on their engagement rings. They are easily recognized thanks to their prestige, flavor, sparkle, shape, and size.

The diamond’s worth is determined based on 4Cs, which are respectively: cut, carat, color, and clarity.

When determining the value of a diamond, you’re likely to consider the cut over any other diamond’s properties. The cut is the most important criteria. However, given the diamond is uncut, in this case it’s not as important.

Cut refers to the diamond’s proportions, dimensions, how symmetric it is compared to its other half, as well as its polish.

Some people think that the cut is actually associated with the diamond’s shape – whether it is round, princess, marquise, or another shape. The cut in combination with all its relevant properties reflects how light reflects on each angle and part of the diamond.

That said, the sparkle of the diamond is directly proportional to how well cut the diamond is.

In the previous years, getting a perfectly cut diamond was extremely difficult. In the past the skill itself didn’t suffice as opposed to the technology available today.

Also Read: A Comprehensive Guide to All Types of Diamond Cuts

Now, the cut requires both skill and technology that is more approachable than before. Because of this, the perfectly cut diamonds are more expensive than the raw diamonds. Without the cutting feature, uncut diamonds have a more affordable price and are easy to get.

We know that the most expensive and premium diamonds are indeed those that are cut to perfection, with few to no flaws. They boast the least amount of colors, have a few inclusions and are still sufficiently large in their size.

The four C’s of a cut diamond are extremely challenging to find, although those that are are considered perfect. With that, they can sometimes be unreasonably expensive.

Does Cut Really Matter Anymore?

With more people on the run to get uncut diamonds, the cut is no longer that important. For those who want uncut diamonds, the natural beauty and quality of the diamond is far more important.

Furthermore, it has a major impact on the final product and value. The rough diamond doesn’t have any sparkles, and as such, is determined by other properties, and those are size, color, and clarity.

The overall quality of the diamond found will determine the value once the cutting is finished.

Here’s how size, color, and clarity determine the value of uncut diamond:

Lastly, there is another, less prominent property worth mentioning. Many consider the shape of the rough diamond important for determining its value.

There are people who purchase it so that they can cut it at a less high price. However, many larger rough diamonds have a rather funny shape, which then results in having to cut more of it to be able to polish a diamond.

If a lot of the shape has to be cut off to make a diamond, it will make it less valuable, as opposed to a smaller symmetrical diamond.

It’s also worth mentioning that flawless rough diamond can be more worthy compared to a loose diamond. Loose diamond that has a low grade is incomparable.

Also, the carat and color of a diamond are usually the buyer’s personal choice, so picking the right size is entirely up to them. Some people also prefer natural tints and shades on the diamond, although it’s still preferable to get one with as little tint visible as possible.

Pluses and Minuses of Picking Uncut Diamonds

Now that we’ve established what all makes uncut valuable, we can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of picking one.

We’ll start with the good features to look into. You may notice that diamonds have both advantages and disadvantages over cut diamonds.

Pluses

They’re more affordable.

We’ve mentioned several times that the rough diamond is more affordable compared to the cut diamond.

Less time is spent on its carating, cutting, polishing, and more. The uncut 1-carat diamond ring or a diamond, in particular, can be found for a few hundred dollars. A finely cut diamond ring is available for up to a few thousands of dollars for the same size.

Lastly, even if you just want the diamond itself, it’ll be more affordable because it’s not processed.

They are conflict-free.

An uncut diamond is conflict-free for a simple reason because they come with the Kimberley Process Certificate. This certificate allows uncut diamonds to be exported from a country or imported into it.

It‘s important for the diamond sale and distribution because this document is a proof that the diamond was exported from a war-free area. Once you cut the diamond, the certification is no longer applicable to it.

They have a unique design.

Although this isn’t some quality-determining plus, it adds up to the artsy designs and shapes that they come in.

It’s uncommon, and someone will hardly have a duplicate piece of jewelry as you because all uncut diamonds come in different shapes.

Moreover, some people prefer quartz-like tint of rough diamonds, which further attracts them.

Minuses

However, there are reasons why some people still opt for spending a little more and get a cut, sparkly diamond. Here are some of the reasons.

How to Find the Right Person to Cut It?

Do you think that an uncut diamond is still a good idea? If you want to save few additional dollars, keep in mind that finding an expert who can cut it for you is nowhere near easy.

Before you find an expert, keep in mind a few things.

With that in mind, cutting rough diamonds can save you some money, but it can be extremely difficult.

So, Is Buying an Uncut Diamond a Good Idea?

Now that we’ve reached the end of this guide and covered all important aspects of cut and uncut diamonds, it’s time to draw some conclusions.

Finally your stone has little to no yellowish tints and huge potential to turn out into a nice-looking, sufficient cut.

Other than that, finding the right uncut piece requires finding an experienced craftsman. Finding one to cut for you might be time-tasking and exhausting.

Finally, it can save you a lot of money, but only if it’s worth buying in terms of properties we’ve mentioned above.