Raw Diamond Value Guide

This raw diamond from Botswana represents a billion-year-old carbon structure in its purest, uncut state. Unlike polished gemstones, these specimens are highly collectible for their natural octahedral geometry and their historical significance as the primary material for both industrial tools and high-end jewelry.

What affects the value of Raw Diamond?

• Carat weight and physical dimensions of the uncut stone.
• The clarity and presence of internal inclusions or 'carbon spots' visible under magnification.
• Natural color tinting, ranging from colorless to yellow or industrial brown hues.
• The integrity of the crystal faces and whether the specimen remains a complete, unbroken crystal.

How to Identify Raw Diamond?

• Look for the characteristic octahedral (double pyramid) crystal habit common in natural Botswana specimens.
• Check for a greasy or adamantine luster that distinguishes raw diamonds from common quartz or glass.
• Verify the presence of 'trigons,' which are small triangular growth marks or indentations on the crystal faces.
• Test for extreme hardness; a raw diamond will easily scratch any other mineral including sapphire and topaz.

History of Raw Diamond

Diamonds have been treasured for millennia, with the earliest known discoveries dating back to India in the 4th century BCE. Initially used for religious icons and as cutting tools, their use as gemstones gained prominence with advancements in cutting and polishing techniques. Raw diamonds, like the one pictured, represent the material in its original state before human intervention transforms it into a brilliant gem.