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One of the 4 major features which are taken into consideration when checking a diamond’s quality and value is diamond color. Completing the Four C’s are clarity, carat weight and cut. When you understand these four diamond attributes and how they interrelate, you could decide on the diamond that best fits your price range and tastes. For our in-depth guide on Diamond Ring Shapes check out our website where you can also find out much more about Diamond Ring Colors.
Colorless diamonds are sometimes called “white”; although not all diamonds are really clear, it is the colorless which all other shades are evaluated against.
To score diamond color, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has made a set of guidelines. Graded diamonds’ color is compared to the color of control stones, which mean preselected gems of a specific color.
How to Grade Diamond Color
* Only loose stones may be graded; once a diamond is set into metal, its color will be impacted.
* When graded, the diamonds are seen with a 10x loupe, placed table-down and pavilion-up.
* To distinguish the quantity of color within each stone, a lettering system from D to Z is used, with D for the rare and completely colorless stones.
Diamond Color Grades
The groupings shown here are categorized from clear diamonds to diamonds that are yellow or yellowish brown. These grades are not relevant to fancy colored gemstones since they have their own color grading specifications.
D-E-F
Colorless
G-H-I-J
Almost without color
K-L-M
Slightly tinted, generally yellow-colored
N-O-P-Q-R
Delicately tinted, usually yellow. Hue could be seen with the naked eye.
S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z
Tinted, generally yellow-colored, and might develop to brownish. Tint is visible to the naked eye, even when attached.
Other Factors Affect Diamond Color
Luminescence
Diamond’s color transforms when it is exposed to ultraviolet radiation; if or not the diamond displays fluorescence is pointed out in the GIA diamond records as well as records from other labs. Ultraviolet radiation exists in fluorescent lit areas and is a component of daylight; hence, stones with this feature may appear to shift in color quite often.
* Usually, a stone that generates a blue reaction appears more colorless or whiter when exposed under ultraviolet light.
* When in some lighting conditions, the appearance of stones that fluoresce yellow appear even more yellow.
Diamond Color Enhancements
Through the use of HPHT (high pressure/high temperature) processing, the color of some diamonds can be considerably altered. Contrary to previous diamond treatments, modifications in diamond color by means of HPHT appear to be irreversible.
To temporarily enhance a diamond’s color, coatings are occasionally utilized.
Diamond Settings
When mounted in a white setting (platinum or white gold), a loose stone that seems lightly yellow to the naked eye usually seems more colorless. This same stone will enhance its yellowish tone when mounted in yellow-gold metal.
Summing Up Diamond Color
The diamond’s color has an influence in the gemstone’s cost; even so, when purchasing diamond jewelry, it isn’t the most important feature to think about. When your funds is not enough to purchase a D through F graded diamond, you can still own a lovely jewelry.
Other grades are completely suitable, even those from G through J. Get the help of an experienced jeweler to assess and select the ideal diamond for you. If your in the market to buy a diamond ring then check out our review of James Allen.com
If your in the market to buy a diamond ring then check out our review of James Allen.com
