When you think of a diamond, you probably imagine a sparkling blue stone. But did you know that diamonds can also be red, yellow and green? And that the rarest type of all is the violet-blue diamond, which is only found in about one in 10 million diamonds. The more common yellow and brown diamonds are known as ‘fancy’ diamonds because they are graded on their appearance.
A Rado watch with a real diamond has value beyond its beauty. As with any piece of jewellery or accessory, there are a number of things you should know before buying it to ensure you’re getting a good deal and not buying an imitation. Let’s see if your Rado watch has the real diamond or not!
Check the weight of your Rado watch
A jeweler will often start an examination by checking the weight of a piece. A real diamond is extremely dense and heavy, so a genuine diamond that’s the same size as your Rado watch will be noticeably heavier than your watch without the diamond. If you weigh both together and the difference is less than a few grams, you’re probably dealing with a cubic zirconia or other synthetic diamond substitute.
If your diamond is loose, another red flag is that a genuine diamond will fit snugly in the setting. If it moves around, you’re probably dealing with a cubic zirconia or other synthetic diamond substitute. The exception is if your diamond is set in a platinum or other metal setting, in which case it will fit snugly.
Look for the authenticity certificate
If your Rado watch is not loose and still in its original box, check for an authenticity certificate. This is basically an official report that is signed and dated by the diamond’s appraiser. It will state its carat, colour, cut and clarity. The certificate is an essential item if you want to resell the watch in the future or try to trade it in towards a new Rado watch. It will also help you confirm the value of the piece, which will help you decide whether it’s worth the asking price.
Look for expert appraisal or certification of authenticity
If you’re purchasing a loose diamond, either online or in person, make sure you are acquiring it from a reputable source. If you’re shopping for a loose diamond online, look for an appraisal or certification of authenticity from a reputable gemological laboratory, such as the Gemological Institute of America or the American Gemological Society. A certificate from a reputable lab will include the diamond’s colour, clarity (the absence of inclusions), cut, and carat (the weight of the diamond). Don’t be fooled by a certificate that is not from a gem lab. Make sure everything on the certificate is accurate and has been verified.
Know what real diamonds should look and feel like
Next, examine the diamond itself. Real diamonds are extremely rare and are mined in only a handful of locations worldwide, including Canada, Australia, Africa, Brazil and Siberia. If your diamond comes from one of these areas, it’s worth more than diamonds that come from other parts of the world. The most valuable diamonds come from the southern African nation of Botswana, which produces the majority of the world’s fancy coloured diamonds.
If your diamond comes from one of these locations, it’s definitely real. Lastly, real diamonds have a specific ‘four Cs’ criteria: carat weight, colour, cut, and clarity. A carat is a unit of measure used to describe the weight of a diamond. A one-carat diamond weighs about the same as a paperclip.
Conclusion
Lastly, remember that a real diamond will cost more than a synthetic substitute, no matter where it comes from. Real diamonds are an investment, and most will increase in value over time, even if their market price drops. However, if your diamond is loose and you are not sure if it’s the real one, you can have it evaluated by a reputable laboratory and they will let you know with certainty.