Rough Diamonds: What Buyers Should Know
How rough diamonds are assessed, why they are sold in parcels and what paperwork matters.
A rough diamond is a diamond as it comes out of the ground, before it is cut and polished. Its value depends on how much polished diamond can be recovered from it and the quality of that polished result.
Rough is usually sold in parcels grouped by size, colour and quality. Experienced buyers look at shape, internal inclusions, colour and surface features to estimate the yield.
International trade in rough diamonds is governed by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which requires shipments between participating countries to travel with a Kimberley Process certificate.
Before buying rough, understand the documents that accompany the parcel, how the weight will be verified, and whether an independent assessment is possible.