DIAMOND COLOR

DIAMOND COLOR
DIAMOND FLUORESCENCE
FANCY DIAMONDS

Diamond color has a significant impact on its value. The farther from colorless the grade of a diamond, the less rare and therefore less valuable it is. The standard color scale, excluding rare fancy colored diamonds, ranges from D (completely colorless) to Z (light yellow). Loose diamonds may be graded by comparing them under white light to a set of masterstone diamonds to determine the exact color grade.

Grading laboratories will typically posses a full set of masterstone diamonds, one for each color, for maximum accuracy where are an independent appraiser or retailer will tend to grade diamonds based on experienced or current stock.


Diamonds graded K-Z are less desirable as their discoloration is visibly noticeable, particularly when set in white gold or platinum. Selecting a diamond in the D-F range will guarantee you a colorless diamond that is completely clear and white from every direction, but the price also so high. The colorless "collection grade" range (D-F) are the highest quality and the most desirable diamonds, however near colorless (G-H) and white (I-J) offer exceptional value for money. G-H colored diamonds are considered near colorless and any color in the stone is only visible when compared to a higher grade stone. When buying a diamond, take a consideration that it is often very difficult to detect the difference between a colorless diamond (D-F) and a near colorless diamond (G-H), especially when it is mounted in jewelry. Diamonds with J-Z color grade usually have yellow shading that can be detected by the naked eye, however, a well cut stone with good proportions will still release the brilliance and fire of a lower colored diamond, dispersing light in such a way so as to create a beautiful stone. In America, the average diamond engagement ring is around "J" in color, so don't be afraid considering all of your color options.

FANCY DIAMONDS

Diamonds also come in arange of natural fancy tones, such as blue, pink, green, and red. Such diamonds have so much color that they are not graded on the normal scale D-Z. Believe it or not, these fancy diamonds are particularly rare, and like their colorless counterparts, can also come attached to ahigh price tag. Bear in mind that color does not have an exclusive impact on adiamond's value. The value of a stone is affected by a combination of qualities including shape, clarity, cut, and carat weight, as well as its color.


D :
Absolutely colorless diamond. The highest color grade, which is extremely rare.

E :
Colorless. Minimal traces of color that can only detected by an expert gemologist. Also, a very rare diamond.

F :
Colorless. Slight color, which can only detected by an expert gemologist, but still considered a "colorless" grade.

G-I :
Near-colorless. Color noticeable when compared to diamonds of better grades, but these grades offer excellent value.

J-K :
Near-colorless. Color slightly detectable. Also offer excellent value.

L-N :
Noticeable to the untrained eye.

O-Z :
Noticeable to the untrained eye, less desirable stones

FLUORESCENCE

A bluish glow that comes from a stone exposed to ultraviolet light. The effect of fluorescence depends on the combination of the color of the stone in question and the strength of the fluorescence. Faint fluorescence has very little effect on a stone of any color. Medium blue fluorescence and strong blue fluorescence can have a positive effect on stones of low color (J or worse). The fluorescence actually has the effect of making the stone look closer to near colorless. On stone of high color (D-G), strong or medium blue fluorescence can make the stone look milky instead of colorless or near colorless.

DIAMONDS TOPICS BY DIAMONDS RINGS & JEWELRY