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D, E, F:
Colorless.
G, H:
Near-colorless. Only a
trained gemologist can
identify a trace of color.
I:
Near-colorless. Only a
trained gemologist can
identify a trace of color.
J:
Slight yellow color
slightly visible to the
untrained eye.
K, L, M:
Slight yellow color
visible to the untrained
eye.
N, O, P, Q, R:
More yellow color
visible to the untrained
eye.
S through Z:
Yellow color obvious
even to the untrained
eye.
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Flourescence:
Related to diamond color, fluorescence
is a unique effect that causes a diamond
to produce a slight blue glow when
exposed to intense, direct ultraviolet
light. Some people seek diamonds that
produce this unique effect, while others
definitely want to avoid it it's purely a
matter of taste. |
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Color Grading from D to Z:
The most important thing to know about color when it comes
to diamonds is, in general, the less color a diamond has, the
more valuable it is, all other factors being equal. Diamonds
are found in nature in a wide range of colors, from
completely colorless (the most desirable trait) to slightly
yellow, to brown. So-called fancy color diamonds come in
more intense colors, like yellow and blue, but these are not
graded on the same scale.
The color grading system for diamonds uses the letters of
the alphabet from D through Z, with D being the most
colorless and therefore the rarest and most valuable, and
Z having the least color within the normal range, and being
the least valuable, all other factors being equal. A diamonds
color is determined by looking at it under controlled lighting
and comparing them to the Gemological Institute of
Americas color scale, which is based on a set of diamonds
of known color. Here is a diagram showing how a diamonds
color is graded:
What Color Grade is Best?
For the purist, look for a colorless diamond with a grade
of D-F and a fluorescence rating of none, faint, or slight.
For an excellent value in a diamond with no noticeable color
to the unaided eye, look for a near-colorless grade of G-I,
and a fluorescence grade of medium or strong blue. Or, if
you'd rather not compromise on color but would like to stay
on budget, choose a diamond with a good cut and SI1SI2
clarity and consider going with a very strong fluorescence. It
will still be beautiful to the unaided eye and you may prefer
the unique effect of a strong fluorescence
What Happened to A, B, & C?
When gemologists began using this scale they reserved the
A, B, and C grades for more colorless diamonds yet to be
graded none have been found to date. |
