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Posted By: William Brumbach

Actually, the diamond and graded card analogy work well in a way. For instance, it could said that the diamond in my wife's engagement ring is like a PSA 6 or 7 that looks like an 8. It has outstanding clarity and the cut is the best there it, but when closely examined there is what appears to be an onion peel right in the middle. However, that defect does not affect the look of the diamond and it sparkles something fierce due to the aforementioned cut and clarity. Plus, it was 1.4 carats and less expensive than a 1.5 carat would have been.

I can see where the ideas of objective and subjective metrics and the balance between technical and aesthetic critiques would have varying impacts on value.