Why Diamond Color Matters
Color plays a crucial factor in a diamond’s visual appearance, value, and overall cost. While many people may focus on aspects like carat weight or clarity, color has a significant impact as well.
What is Diamond Color?
Color is one of the 4 C’s that is referred to in the diamond grading process, along with cut, clarity, and carat weight. In the case of the diamond grading process, color refers to the absence of color in a diamond. Though many diamonds may appear to be colorless, most diamonds do, in fact, have tints of yellow or brown.
The Grading Scale
The GIA, or Gemological Institute of America, has a color grading scale that ranges from D to Z. The categories are colorless (D to F), near colorless (G-J), faint (K-M), very light (N-R), and light (S-Z). According to the scale, a diamond grade of D is considered the most colorless in appearance, while a diamond grade of Z has visible tints of yellow or brown.
Completely colorless diamonds are fairly rare, making them highly valued for their pristine appearance and command a higher price than diamonds with lower grades. Though colorless diamonds are highly coveted, near colorless diamonds often appear just as clear to the human eye, making them a great choice for your center stone.
Although colorless diamonds are considered fairly rare, they are still more popular than fancy color diamonds. They are also more affordable per carat than fancy color diamonds. Once a diamond has surpassed Z on the scale, it moves into the fancy range. Though fancy colored diamonds are typically yellow or brown, they can come in a wide variety of colors.
The most rare diamond color is red with only about 20-30 mined red diamonds existing in the entire world. Following red are blue diamonds who get their hue from trace amounts of boron in their crystalline structure. Next is pink, which studies show get hue from how their crystalline structure is formed rather than any trace elements left over during their formation process. Then there are green diamonds which are incredibly unique because they get their hue from trace elements of radioactive material such as uranium or thorium.
6.07 carat Fancy Blue Antique Cushion Lab Diamond Ring
How Color Affects Diamond Appearance
It’s crucial to understand how color affects a diamond’s appearance. Depending on the shape of the stone and its grade, the hue may be more noticeable. Certain shapes, such as a round or radiant cut, are good at concealing color because of their faceting. Step cuts such as emeralds and Asscher cuts have larger, open facets that would make it more visible.
In addition to a diamond’s shape, its size also affects how color appears. Larger diamonds tend to show its hue more prominently because of their greater surface area, while smaller stones are less likely to reveal color. For example, a diamond with a lower grade may appear colorless in a smaller size, but the color becomes more noticeable in a larger stone.
Use the Scale to Fit Your Budget
Color also has an impact on the final cost of a diamond; the higher you go on the scale, the more expensive the stone will most likely be, excluding other factors. However, many diamonds in the near-colorless range can offer comparable beauty at a lower price point, allowing you to save money on the final cost of your diamond.
Choosing the Right Stone for You
While carat weight and clarity are important factors in selecting the perfect gemstone, color also plays a large role in the appearance of a diamond. When considering the factors that affect color, such as diamond shape and size, understanding diamond grading is essential.
We recommend scheduling an appointment to visit us in our showroom and explore our inventory to see and compare diamonds. In the meantime, feel free to look through our educational materials so that you can come to your appointment prepared!
