[Jewelry making - Article 01267] - Re: [Orchid] Using diamonds from purchased bracelets

[jmfuja]

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Dear Sue,

    A seven inch bracelet will likely have a minimum of twenty diamonds,
    and more likely up to twenty-six stones, depending on link size. 
    For a two carat total weight, this means that each diamond will
    average between 0.07 and 0.10 carat each. For excellent quality
    diamonds in this size range, I expect to pay $500+ per carat
    wholesale, pretty good quality around $400 per carat, and anything
    below that price I wouldn't use. Even assuming that the bracelet will
    be under the stated carat weight (very common in "promotional"
    jewelry of this type) you can figure you are paying about $100 per
    carat, with the balance made up of labor and metal, and you must
    remember that these stores are making a small profit on each item, so
    the wholesale value is less than that. 

    I would expect that the diamonds would have the appearance of
    "frozen spit", and if this is the appearance that you are looking
    for, then by all means go for it. They are probably technically
    diamond, but better suited for the end of a drill. 

    When I first began my journey into the jewelry industry, one of my
    first purchases was twenty carats of emeralds at the unbelievable low
    price of a dollar a carat, and I still have them to remind me that
    there really are no bargains in the jewelry business. I am still
    looking for a fish tank to place them, might add a nice green color
    to the bottom. 

Jon Michael Fuja

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