Diamond Shopping Guide - Color

Color = color

Diamonds actually occur naturally in all colors. But since most buyers are interested in colorless, there is a scale to rate the colorlessness of "white" diamonds. So, when a jeweler talks about the color of the diamond, they're referring to the presence or absence of color in a white diamond. The color of a diamond never changes, and occurs based on the stone's composition.

Colorless diamonds are more popular because they allow more light to travel throughout the diamond, giving it more sparkle or brilliance. Truly colorless diamonds are very rare, and thus more expensive and higher in value. When light exits a completely colorless diamond, the light will show the colors of the rainbow

*Note: This rule does not apply to diamonds of other colors. Some colored diamonds are also very rare and are considered of higher values due to their color.

Color is graded from totally colorless (rated "D") to light yellow or "Z." Variations between grades are very subtle and hard to pinpoint.

• D, E, F - These diamonds are considered colorless
  
• G, H, I, J - Near Colorless
  
• K, L, M - Faint Yellow
  
• N, O, P, Q, R - Very Light Yellow
  
• S, T, U, V, W, X - Light Yellow

Diamonds graded "G" - "I" generally cannot be distinguished from colorless diamonds by the untrained eye. And, if your setting is yellow gold rather than white gold or platinum, you can often get away with a lower color grade.

When you hear about fluorescence:
A diamond's fluorescence is its reaction when exposed to long-wave ultraviolet light. Under most normal lighting conditions, the stone's fluorescence isn't visible. However, a diamond that shows blue under a UV light may appear cloudy in sunlight. Generally people avoid diamonds with more than faint fluorescence, but some people like this effect. Fluorescence is really a matter of aesthetics, and the GIA states that fluorescence makes very little difference as to the stone's appearance.

Oddly, diamonds graded D, E, F, G, H, I, and J are less expensive when they show fluorescence. But diamonds K, L, and M are more expensive when they show fluorescence. According to one theory, fluorescence makes colorless diamonds appear cloudy, reducing their value; but increases the value of yellower diamonds because the blue offsets their yellow color, making them appear whiter. Currently, there is no verification of this theory. Overall, fluorescence should not influence your purchasing decisions.