The diamond industry is an intricate and highly lucrative field that depends greatly on the expertise and experience of jewel merchants. Such individuals are responsible for the buying and selling of the highest-quality gems, acting as central figures in international markets.
What Is a Diamond Dealer?
Experienced jewel merchants serve as middlemen between the primary sources and jewelry stores, acquiring raw, uncut diamonds and transforming them polished gems sold to the public. The buying and selling process requires a deep expertise in quality, knowledge of market fluctuations, and strong bargaining tactics.
The skill set of a diamond dealer is primarily focused on the key characteristics of diamondscut, color, purity, and carat weight. Having a deep grasp of these criteria allows a diamond dealer to judge the market price of a diamond and determine the price at which it can be sold. Such knowledge is invaluable for closing transactions in the cutthroat market of diamond dealing.
How Do Diamond Dealers Source Their Diamonds?
Diamond dealers typically source their diamonds from various regions that are famous for gemstones their gemstone mining, such as Africa, Siberia, Northern Canada, and Australia. Such areas generate a large quantity of the world’s rough gems, which are then sent to global hubs in Belgium (Antwerp), the U.S. (New York), the UAE (Dubai), and Asia (India).
In addition to sourcing diamonds from mining companies, some gem dealers purchase stones at high-end auctions, private collectors, or estate sales. Such varied sources enables diamond dealers to offer a wide array of diamonds, spanning small, affordable stones to exceedingly rare, expensive stones.
The Importance of Trust for Diamond Dealers
A strong reputation and trust are vital for the success of a diamond merchant. Because diamonds are a high-value commodity, investors demand total assurance that the stones they invest in are authentic and properly graded.
For this reason, dealers commonly turn to certified gem reports from trusted institutions like the internationally renowned GIA. Furthermore, establishing strong relationships with buyers and suppliers plays a major role in ensuring business continuity in the diamond industry.