Diamond Color : D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M
Diamond Color
Diamond color is the one aspect in diamonds which is the hardest to explain, so it will be explained in a more creative way. By the way it is recommended to read the whole article, but if you want to cut straight to the point and read the summarizing tips
Have you ever heard about the Pepsi challenge?
The Pepsi challenge
The pepsi challenge took place in the US during the 1970’s. The basics of the challenge was to examine whether one can tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi. Well, as you probably have already known, it was impossible for most people to tell the difference.
Diamond color and the Pepsi challenge connection !?!
You are probably asking yourself, “Why are we talking about Pepsi Cola? Isn’t this article supposed to be about diamond color?”
Let’s do the connection.
This challenge is an analogy. Similar to that most people can’t tell the difference between Pepsi and Coke, most people will not be able to tell the difference between two diamonds that have, not one, not two, but difference of three color grades. This goes double for diamonds that weigh less than one carat and diamonds that have been set into rings or any other types of jewelry.
Why does the average shopper find it hard to tell the difference between two diamonds that possess different color grades?
Before we discuss the answer the question, let’s go over the basics of diamond color.
What is diamond Color?
Most diamonds in nature have a touch of color in them, mostly yellow, brown, and gray. The rarest diamonds are white or colorless.
Diamond Color grading is all about lack of color
: the less color a diamond has, whiter it will be and therefore higher will be its color grading.
The History of Diamond Color Grading
Color grading has an interesting history. Diamonds were initially graded in England by the London Diamond Syndicate in order to sort the rough diamonds before selling them.
When the diamond trading developed, several systems of diamond sorting were introduced. Some of these were: I, II, III; A, AA, AAA; A, B, C. (You can learn more about the history of diamond color in Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_color).
Later on, gemological labs started to grade diamonds in general and for color according to a diamond color grading scale. Currently, the GIA, AGS, EGL and IGI gemological labs are the most recognized labs in the market.
*AGS lab is grading color differently than the other mentioned labs.
Grading of the normal Color range
Diamonds come in a wide range of colors, but the more common colors range from pale yellow or light brown to totally colorless. The GIA’s scale for grading the normal color range is considered an industry standard and is used by other gemological labs such as the IGI and EGL.
A diamond that is graded D on the scale is completely colorless, while Z color looks yellowish or brownish. For diamond with color that fall beyond the normal color range, the Fancy Color Grading Scale is then used.
The Color grading chart
| Color | Description |
| D | |
| E | Colorless diamond |
| F | |
| G | |
| H | Nearly colorless diamond. Appears colorless when set into a piece of jewelry |
| I | |
| J | |
| K | |
| L | Faintly-tinted diamond. Usually yellow tint. |
| M | |
| N | |
| O | |
| P | Very lightly-tinted yellow diamond. Color is visible to the eye. |
| Q | |
| R | |
| S – Z | Light yellow diamonds. Color is very visible to the eye, even when set into jewelry |
Fancy Colors are graded according to a different scale. The GIA laboratory is using a list of 27 color hues (colors) that spans the full spectrum of colors. The tone and saturation of these hues are then described by one of nine descriptors: Faint, Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Dark, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep, and Fancy Vivid.
How Color is Tested and Determined #1
Color has been tested for many years, mainly with the use of a Master set. A Master set is a set of stones (either diamonds or CZs) that represents the most common colors:D – M. When testing a diamond for color, it is compared facing down and compared to one or two master stones. By this comparison, the color of the diamond is determined.
A diamond shows color better when facing down. When faces up, color is less visible.
http://www.igl.net.au/images/giamasterset.jpg
How Color is Tested and Determined #2
The Gran Colorimeter is a device that determines diamond color. The Colorimeter was first introduced in 1972, but has become more popular in recent years, due to a price decrease and better accuracy. The Colorimeter is very accurate and its error margins are +/- 0.5 color grade when the diamond is loose and +/-1 grade when the diamond is mounted.
http://sarin.listedcompany.com/images/biz_pb_colorimeter.gif
3. Main Factors That Affect Diamond Color
There are a few factors that affect diamonds color appearance.
Shape: The fancy cut shapes and mainly the square cut shapes (Radiant, Cushion and Princess) emphasize color more than other shapes. It means that if the shape of the uncut diamond doesn’t necessitate cutting it into a fancy shape, the diamond cutter would prefer cutting it into a Round shape.
This goes particularly for diamonds in the H – L color grading range, since the Round shape improves the appearance of the color in diamonds especially if they are well cut.
Fancy color diamonds
mostly cut into fancy shapes due to the same reason: fancy shapes emphasize the intensity of the color.
Cut Quality – Better the cut, better will be the color. A good diamond cutter will cut a diamond in a way that will allow light to be reflected through the diamond. Round diamonds that are well cut with a color grading of I-L, will usually appear one to two colors grading above than what they are graded.
Fluorescence – Fluorescence is a characteristic that affects diamonds color. In regards to diamonds in the normal range (D-L colors), fluorescence can affect diamond appearance in two main ways:
- In diamonds graded D – G colors, the affect of fluorescence depends on its degree. If the fluorescence level is medium or higher than, the diamond will appear clouded or milky.
- With diamonds in the lower color range, the affect is actually beneficial. In the H – L color range, when a diamond has fluorescence level of medium or higher and it is Round shaped, the fluorescence will cause the diamond to look one or even two colors grades higher than it really is.
Now that you know more about diamonds color, let’s answer the question asked in the first paragraph: Why can’t the average shopper see the difference between two diamonds with one to three color differences?
As previously mentioned, color is traditionally determined by a color master set. If you have the chance to look at a master set, you will be able to see that the differences between one diamond and the one next to it in color grading, almost do not show. Once a loose diamond has been mounted on a piece of jewelry, an untrained eye will not detect the difference.
Another important fact is that when a diamond is mounted on a yellow gold setting, it is even harder to determine the color due the reason that the yellow color of the setting is reflecting into the diamond.
Color is a matter of preference in different places around the globe.
The American shopper prefers the G and H colors. The traditional Chinese will prefer the D – F colors. The Europeans are just fine with the I – K colors. Each market has its own reasons for its color preference, but as you have learned, choosing a color isn’t that hard as you might think.
Diamond color and Prices
As you probably already know, higher the color grade of a diamond, higher will be its price (if all other 3 C’s are the same). But there is another thing to consider. Diamonds are priced by the Rapaport List, and apart from factors such as rarity and the color grade, there is another aspect to consider: Market demand.
For example, in the US market, G and H colors have a higher demand and as a result are relatively more expensive than all other colors.
Fancy color diamonds are different from diamonds with colors in the normal range. Unlike white diamonds where less color is better, in fancy color diamonds, more color is the key. In fact, some colors are considered rarer than others and therefore are very expensive.
Diamonds Color tips:
- I, J and K colors can be a great choice especially if they are well-cut, and if they have been cut to a Round shape.
- Fluorescence can “upgrade” a low color diamond.
- If color is the most important aspect for you, set a 4 C’s priority list. For example, you should go for a diamond with a Round shape and a good cut to gain even better color.
- Fancy color diamonds can be a great choice. They can be very expensive depending on the color and can also be purchased as an investment.
- Adjust your color preference to your budget.
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