Shelf Life of a Diamond (2024)

When purchasing something big like a house or a car, one of the major considerations is the estimated value five, ten, or fifteen years down the road.

When getting engaged to the woman of your dreams, a man usually presents a diamond ring, which will increase in value with time. The idea is for the ring together with the relationship, to mature together.


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Proposing with a Leibish yellow diamond engagement ring


There is a joke said about marriage, a woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn’t. A man marries a woman expecting that she won’t change, and she does. The only thing that will stay exactly as it was when it was first presented is the diamond. But, no man wants to give his bride-to-be a present which will wear out or lose value. Perhaps it was the clever marketing campaign of De Beers, but the reason engagement rings stuck was because these stones will indeed last forever just like they intend for their love.

Many of the world famous celebrities like to present diamond gifts. Among the most famous diamonds ever given as a present was the Taylor–Burton Diamond, weighing 68 carats. It was first purchased by Walter Annenberg back in 1967, but became well known later on in 1969 when it was bought by Richard Burton. He purchased it for Elizabeth Taylor from a Christie’s auction. The bidding started at $200,000. There were a few powerful bidders both in the room and on the phone, such as Aristotle’s Onassis and the Sultan of Brunei. Burton set a limit to his broker of 1 million and was outbid by Cartier by a few dollars. Subsequently, Cartier passed the stone on to him for 1.1 million as his lady, Liz Taylor, wanted the stone at all cost.

When Liz Taylor’s second marriage with Richard Burton fell apart, she decided to part from the stone for 5 million dollars. Part of the proceeds she earned from that sale was used to build a hospital in Botswana.

One of my favorite actors, Leonardo DiCaprio, once gave a ‘real’ diamond to supermodel, Gisele Bundchen. It was a generous end of a short affair, and Giselle eventually decided to sell the ring at Christies. She donated the proceeds to charity on behalf of diamond mining in Africa. It’s a good thing he didn’t offer her one of those lab grown diamonds he is now involved with as had she tried to sell one of those, who knows what type of proceeds she would have seen, if any at all?

Regretfully, statistics are showing now 40% - 50% of the married couples in America divorce. As we are now over 35 years in business, we see clients who marry time and time again. Having been happy with their purchase the first time, they come back when looking for a second or third engagement ring. Kind of a bittersweet sale, only because we know they likely had to go through some tough times.

When a couple gets divorced, the ring is among the first items to go as it lost its significance. It will still retain a numerical value, but it no longer has meaning to the relationship. When the cost of an engagement ring is $10,000 or more, it is above the average amount spent on the ring. It becomes another one of the financial assets, as the value will always remain. Whether it will appreciate in value over time is directly related to the rarity and demand of those goods. Hence, just another one of the reasons so many have taken a liking to the world of color.


A Leibish heart shaped Argyle Pink diamond engagement ring


A real diamond has no limits on its shelf life. A lab grown diamond made in the Diamond Foundry may look the same as a real one, but has zero resale value.

The brilliance of the relationship may be gone, but the stone will shine forever. It won’t lose its luster and it doesn’t get worn out with time. It will remain as fresh and beautiful as it was on the day it was given. Each stone has a monetary value, and can be sold or exchanged for a different diamond down the line. No woman wants to get married twice with the same stone.

The heavily advertised diamond like stone from The Diamond Foundry may have shelf life. It may have all the characteristics of the real diamond, but they are valueless, no jewelry store will take it back for an upgrade or exchange of a real diamond. In fact, just last week the terminology used to disclose diamond treatments was debated during the 2016 CIBJO Congress in Yerevan, Armenia. As a result, Udi Sheintal, President of the Diamond Commission, changed some of the language and definitions in the new ISO standard 18323:2015 Jewellery – Consumer Confidence. Anything without a natural crystallization, such as lab grown diamonds, will no longer be labeled a 'real diamond?' Goods grown in a lab are to be referred to as an 'artificial product. ' Real Diamonds survive relationships and marriages. As we all witnessed in James Cameron’s Titanic, these stones can even be thrown into the Ocean, and one day surface unblemished like new.


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Best regards,

LeibishPolnauer, President and Founder ofLEIBISH Fancy Color Diamonds


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Fancy Intense Yellow Cushion 3 Stone Diamond Drop Halo Pendant (1.85Ct TW)

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Muzo Emerald and Diamond Couture Ring (3.37Ct TW)

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Round Blue Sapphire and Baguette Diamond Halo Pendant (1.72Ct TW)

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Royal Blue Cabochon Burma Sapphire and Diamond Couture Ring (30.36Ct TW)

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Fancy Light Gray Heart 2 Stone Bezel Diamond Pendant (2.16Ct TW)

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Royal Blue Oval Sapphire and Diamond Side Stone Ring (8.51Ct TW)

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Fancy Vivid Yellow Round Diamond Stud Earrings (0.27Ct TW)

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Oval Emerald and Diamond Double Halo Earrings (8.05Ct TW)

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Royal Blue Oval Sapphire and Diamond Double Halo Pendant (2.86Ct TW)

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Tanzanite and Aquamarine Diamond Drop Earrings (7.00Ct TW)

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Fancy Intense Yellow Cushion Stud Earrings (1.06Ct TW)

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Blue Round Sapphire & Diamond Earrings (1.39Ct TW)

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Shelf Life of a Diamond (2024)

FAQs

Shelf Life of a Diamond? ›

A real diamond has no limits on its shelf life. A lab grown diamond made in the Diamond Foundry may look the same as a real one, but has zero resale value. The brilliance of the relationship may be gone, but the stone will shine forever. It won't lose its luster and it doesn't get worn out with time.

How long do diamonds last? ›

Lab-grown diamonds, like their naturally-made counterparts, will not deteriorate and can last forever when cared for properly. Diamonds are one of the hardest materials on Earth, whether lab-grown or mined, making the gemstones a perfect candidate for heirloom-quality jewelry that will last for generations.

How do you know when a diamond is bad? ›

In case there is bitterness in the taste, then it is best to discard the almonds as it indicates the presence of certain chemicals like phytic acid, which is a natural toxin in the outer layer of almonds High-quality almonds have a fresh and nutty aroma. If the almonds smell musty or rancid, it could indicate spoilage.

Are diamonds worth more now than 20 years ago? ›

Diamond prices increases about 14% each year since 1960! Past performance does not guarantee the performance of the future.

Do diamonds depreciate over time? ›

Like a car, a diamond is a depreciating asset since it loses a large portion of its value the second you buy it. Think about gold and silver. The market for them is very liquid and fungible since you can store coins, sell them at any time or even trade them later on.

What is the shelf life of a diamond? ›

A real diamond has no limits on its shelf life. A lab grown diamond made in the Diamond Foundry may look the same as a real one, but has zero resale value. The brilliance of the relationship may be gone, but the stone will shine forever. It won't lose its luster and it doesn't get worn out with time.

Do diamonds ever degrade? ›

Diamonds are known for their exceptional durability and resistance to degradation. Diamonds can degrade to graphite, but this process requires specific conditions and is extremely slow and virtually non-existent on a human time scale - meaning we can safely assume a diamond will outlast us!

Do diamonds lose quality over time? ›

The carbon-based gemstone is ultra-resistant to scratch and wear, hence the saying “diamonds are forever”. If kept clean, diamonds won't lose their sparkle either.

Do diamonds tarnish over time? ›

The Myth Of Fading Diamonds

This intricate structure endows them with exceptional durability and resistance, effectively debunking the myth that they will fade over time.

Do real diamonds go dull? ›

Dirt and residue: Over time, dirt, oil, and other substances can accumulate on the surface of the diamond, making it appear cloudy. Regular cleaning can help maintain its brilliance. 2. Natural characteristics: Some diamonds have internal flaws or inclusions that can affect their clarity.

How much can I sell a 1 carat diamond for? ›

Current Diamond Price Chart – Updated September 2024
Diamond Carat WeightPrice (Per Carat, Round Brilliant Cut)Total Price
0.50 carat$990 – $5,000$495 – $2,500
1.00 carat$2,000 – $14,000$2,000 – $14,000
1.50 carat$3,300 – $24,000$4,400 – $30,000
2.00 carat$4,200 – $29,000$8,400 – $58,000
3 more rows

Do diamonds get more expensive with age? ›

There is a popular misconception that diamonds are good investments that increase in value over time. But this has not been true for the majority of diamonds in circulationin the last 10 years or so.

How much did a 1 carat diamond cost in 1960? ›

Per carat diamond price 1960-2016

In 1960, the average price for such a diamond stood at some 2,700 U.S. dollars. Since then, the diamond price has increased more than tenfold, to 29,650 U.S. dollars in 2015.

Why is diamond not a good investment? ›

More importantly, are these stones a good investment? Most industry experts respond with a resolute 'no' to the second question. Diamond's price is not standardised, it's non-fungible and, even if you do find a diamond in the rough (pricewise), it lacks a healthy secondary market that makes it hard to sell.

Why diamond has no resale value? ›

The primary reason why a diamond resale value is so low is because jewellers often buy diamonds in bulk at the lowest price possible. The intrinsic worth of a diamond and its resale price will be lesser than what was purchased. Sometime 3 to 5 times less than the price tag you see in the store.

What is a fair price for a diamond ring? ›

A good quality 1 carat diamond ring costs between $6,500 to $7,500 in retail stores, while the same diamond will cost about $3,000 - $4,000 online! On the other hand, the highest quality 1-carat diamond (D color and Flawless) will set you back $10,000 or more (add 40-70% when purchased at a jewelry store).

Do diamonds wear down over time? ›

While diamonds are renowned for their durability and long-lasting brilliance, certain factors can impact their sparkle over time. These factors include: Dirt and grime: Everyday wear can lead to a buildup of oils, lotions, and dirt on the diamond's surface, diminishing its sparkle.

Do diamonds lose their sparkle? ›

Causes of Diamond Engagement Ring Losing Sparkle

In most cases, the dullness is due to a layer of film and sediment covering the ring. No matter how careful you are, after months of soap, lotions, and grime, even the hardiest rings can lose their shine.

How long do diamond stones last? ›

If diamond stones are properly maintained, meaning they are kept clean and stored dry, they can last a long time. For those that use stones on a daily basis and maintain them properly, the diamond will likely last years. For those that use them regularly, it's likely the stone will last from ten to twenty years.

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