Diamond Color

When analyzing a stone’s quality and value, four major characteristics are regarded; among them is the diamond color. Completing the Four C’s are clarity, carat weight and cut. To help you select a diamond that suits your preferences and budget, you must fully grasp these four diamond characteristics and how they work together.

Certifying Diamond Colors

Clear diamonds are occasionally called “white”; although not all gemstones are truly clear, it is the colorless which all other tones are evaluated against.

To grade diamond color, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has devised a set of guidelines. Graded diamonds’ color is compared to the color of control stones, which refer to preselected gems of a specific color.

Diamond Color Grading Procedure

    * Diamonds must be loose stones for them to be graded; once it is set on metal, its color is influenced.
    * Diamonds are seen with a 10 times loupe, placed table-down, pavilion-up.
    * Diamond color is identified by a lettering program from D to Z, according to the amount of color present in each stone, with D being granted only to completely clear rare diamonds.

Diamond Color Scale

The groupings shown here are categorized from clear diamonds to stones that are yellow or yellowish brown. Fancy colored diamonds have their own color grading specifications; these grades do not affect them.
D-E-F
Without color
G-H-I-J
Practically without color
K-L-M
Faintly tinted, usually yellow-colored
N-O-P-Q-R
Delicately tinted, usually yellow. Shade can be noticed with the naked eye.
S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z
Tinted, usually yellow-colored, and might develop to brownish. Tint is visible to the naked eye, even when mounted.

Factors Affecting Diamond Color

Fluorescence

Diamond’s color adjusts when it is subjected to ultraviolet radiation; if or not the stone exhibits fluorescence is indicated in the GIA diamond records as well as records from other labs. Ultraviolet radiation exists in fluorescent lit areas and is an element of daylight; hence, diamonds with this feature may actually shift in color frequently.
    * Generally, a diamond that yields a blue reaction appears clearer or whiter when subjected under ultraviolet light.
    * When in some lighting situations, the appearance of stones that fluoresce yellow appear even more yellow.

Diamond Color Enhancements

Diamonds have significant transformations in color by using the process of HPHT (high pressure/high temperature). Alterations effected by the HPHT process appear to be permanent compared to the past diamond treatments.

At times, coatings are used to enhance a diamond’s color temporarily.

Diamond Settings

When installed on white gold, platinum or any white setting, a loose stone that looks lightly yellow to the naked eye usually seems more colorless. This same diamond, when mounted in yellow-gold metal, will enhance its yellowish tone.

Summing Up Diamond Color

The diamond’s color has an effect in the stone’s price; however, when buying diamond jewelry, it isn’t the most important feature to consider. It does not imply that if your budget is not for a D through F graded stone, you cannot have a lovely jewelry.
Other grades are completely appropriate, even those from G through J. In evaluating and choosing the best diamonds for your needs, the help of an experienced jeweler can be important.