Color
Refers to the degree to which a diamond is colorless
Diamonds act as prisms and can divide light into a spectrum of colors and reflect this
light as colorful flashes referred to as fire. The more colorless a diamond is the more
colorful the fire will appear.
Grading of a diamond’s color is based on the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
Color Scale of D-Z.
Refers to the degree to which a diamond is colorless
Diamonds act as prisms and can divide light into a spectrum of colors and reflect this
light as colorful flashes referred to as fire. The more colorless a diamond is the more
colorful the fire will appear.
Grading of a diamond’s color is based on the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
Color Scale of D-Z.
There are diamonds that can come outside this
normal color range created by GIA. These are referred
to as fancy-colored diamonds and come in almost any
imaginable color! An example of a famous
"fancy-colored" diamond is the Blue Hope diamond on
display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington.
normal color range created by GIA. These are referred
to as fancy-colored diamonds and come in almost any
imaginable color! An example of a famous
"fancy-colored" diamond is the Blue Hope diamond on
display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington.
Fluorescence of a diamond is not directly related to color, but is created when exposure
to ultraviolet (UV) light gives diamonds a distinctive glowing blue coloration. The
fluorescence may be weak or very strong.
Are you curious as to why the GIA chose to start the grading system with “D” rather and
“A”? Prior to the creation of GIA’s grading system, multiple other systems existed. One
such system was based on an A, B, C, etc. format and another was based on an
agriculture type format: A, AA, etc. The GIA decided to start out new and not use previous
terminology to avoid confusion; thus, the grading scale begins with “D”.
to ultraviolet (UV) light gives diamonds a distinctive glowing blue coloration. The
fluorescence may be weak or very strong.
Are you curious as to why the GIA chose to start the grading system with “D” rather and
“A”? Prior to the creation of GIA’s grading system, multiple other systems existed. One
such system was based on an A, B, C, etc. format and another was based on an
agriculture type format: A, AA, etc. The GIA decided to start out new and not use previous
terminology to avoid confusion; thus, the grading scale begins with “D”.
Unless you are looking for a “fancy-colored diamond, you should stick with the D-J
colored diamonds and avoid K-Z colored diamonds.
colored diamonds and avoid K-Z colored diamonds.
Do not be fooled into thinking fluorescence is a desired quality in a diamond. This
property can actually decrease (but sometimes enhance) the value of a diamond.
property can actually decrease (but sometimes enhance) the value of a diamond.
In general, diamonds of D-H color should be obtained without fluorescence, because
this property can make a near colorless grade diamond appear slightly hazy or oily and
decrease the value. Diamonds below H color with fluorescence may actually appear
whiter in a light with a UV component and this is because blue is complimentary to
yellow. This will then enhance the value of the diamond.
this property can make a near colorless grade diamond appear slightly hazy or oily and
decrease the value. Diamonds below H color with fluorescence may actually appear
whiter in a light with a UV component and this is because blue is complimentary to
yellow. This will then enhance the value of the diamond.
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Diamond Buying Guide
Quality
Color
Color
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