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What is the True Diamond Color?
First up when considering diamond color - many people think of diamonds as being colorless, but they actually can
have a wide spectrum of colors.
When seen in a jewellers showroom the 'optimum' lighting they use will make the most of a diamonds
many facets and you may just be dazzled by what seems a 'colorles' or 'white diamond' - to the naked
and untrained eye. It is imperative, therefore, that you do your 'diamond color' homework before you
spend 'big bucks' on a diamond - as color is a major influence on value...
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Diamond color - Pure white is a rare thing!
In truth a colorless diamond is a rare thing - and the normal range of 'white diamond'
colors may actually range through tints of yellow even even to browns. Without 'comparison gems',
perfect lighting and even a magnifying glass (professional gemologists use a special
glass called a loupe, normally providing them with a power of 10 times magnification)
it may be difficult for the untrained eye to pick up on slight variations.
In simple terms the 'less colored' a diamond is the higher its value. So a 'fine' colored
diamond is actually the least colored diamond...if that makes sense?! For the vast
majority of typical diamond jewery buyers the diamonds they buy (as part of an
engagement ring design, or within the context of a setting) will be les than half a carat
(...and no doubt still seem pretty expensive for the average pocket). In these smaller diamonds anyone
without training, and a loupe, will be unlikely to spot diamond color variations that could actually
make huge differences to the valuation of a gem. It is easy to be 'bamboozled' by ostentatious
jewelry design, and the opulent atmosphere of a high-class jeweller's shop!
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), possibly the world's foremost
authorities on diamond certification, and a center for world class gemological
training, grades the color of diamonds as follows - from the very finest colorless
through more common yellow tints, and also including rare 'fancy' colored diamonds:
GIA Diamond Color Grades
| COLOR DESCRIPTOR |
ALPHABETICAL GRADES |
| Colorless (Most valuable) |
D, E, F |
| Near Colorless |
G, H, I, J |
| Faint Yellow |
K, L, M |
| Very Light Yellow |
N, O, P, Q, R |
| Light Yellow |
S, T, U, V, W, Y, Z |
| Fancy (Non White rarities) |
Z+ |
(Although it seems a little odd for the diamond color grading scale to run alphabetically from 'D' -
the GIA launched this method of appraisal of diamond color to make sure it was not confused
with earlier, and some would say less easily interpreted (i.e. open to misuse) scales
based on A, B & C.)
Diamond color - Not only RED in a deck of cards!
In essence D grade colorless diamonds are always much more expensive/valuable and
value declines through the 'colorless' alphabetical grades. However the final
valuation of any particular gem will also be influenced by its weight (in carats), its
clarity (how many small imperfections the gem has) and the expertise of
its cut (highly skilled and valued input of a master craftsman creates a faceted design
to make the most of the spectrum of light. This is what gives a diamond its famous
sparkle!)
Z+ grades, however, cover fancy diamonds. Fancy colored diamonds are
quite rare and some colors are rarer than others. These types of diamonds are
collectable and valuable to the diamond enthusiast. There is a great deal of
misunderstanding in the general public about the colors of gems generally thanks to
the 'stereo-typical' beliefs that diamond color is white, rubies - red, emeralds - green,
sapphires - blue, and so on - which is, to put it bluntly, simply rubbish!
In fact RED and GREEN diamond colors are the rarest specimens and hence very
valuable. Diamonds can also be found in blue, orange, pink, purple and violet. The
yellow ranges of diamond colors, even tending towards brown, are the most common
and consequently normally of a lesser value. Other diamond colors that are classed as 'fancy'
(though they may not sound it) are blacks and greys, which are still unusual and
striking, valuable stones.
Fancy diamond color is further graded as follows, depending on the intensity of color.
For certification, which is so essential to a diamonds valuation, this judgement must be made
by an experienced gemologist from one of the leading cerification bodies, such as the GIA:
Faint; Very Light; Fancy Light; Fancy; Fancy Intense; Fancy Dark (in order of increasing intensity of diamond color)
Be sure to check out our articles on Diamond Insurance and
Buying loose diamonds.
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