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Colorless
diamonds are graded
on a color scale established
by the Gemological Institute
of America (GIA). The
normal color range scale
starts at D (colorless)
through Z (light yellow
or light brown). Along
with clarity, cut and
carat, color is one
of the Four C's that
helps determine the
quality and value of
a diamond.
There are five color
ranges in the normal
color range:
- Colorless:
D, E, F
- Near-Colorless:
G, H, I, J
- Faint: K, L, M
- Very Light: N, O,
P, Q, R, S, T, U
- Light: V, W, X,
Y, Z
The letters in the D-to-Z
scale do not describe
the actual color but describe
the depth of color in
a diamond. Each letter
represents a range of
color based on a combination
of hue
(color), tone
(lightness or darkness),
and saturation
(intensity). |
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Diamonds in the
D, E and F color
range are graded
as “colorless”
with D being absolutely
colorless and completely
devoid of body
color. This
is the highest and
most exceptional
color range for
a diamond in the
normal color range
as these diamonds
are extremely rare
and allow the most
light to pass through
without being absorbed.
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Diamonds in the
G, H, I and J color
range appear colorless
in a face-up
position but actually
have a slightly
tinted white color
that is noticeable
when compared to
colorless diamonds
in the D –
F range. Near-colorless
diamonds are an
excellent value
because they not
only have a high
color grade but
are more affordable
than colorless diamonds.
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Faint color diamonds
show faint yellow
color face-up
and face-down.
When they are mounted
in a jewelry setting,
smaller stones appear
colorless but larger
stones show a slight
yellow tint. |
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Diamonds in the
N through U color
range are considered
very light yellow
and are sometimes
referred to as “Cape”
diamonds. They appear
very light yellow
face-up and face-down,
even when mounted
in a jewelry item.
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Light yellow diamonds
in the V through
Z color range show
substantial color
face-up or face-down,
loose or mounted.
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The color in diamonds
graded K-Z can be more
noticeable in any setting
style or metal type, yet
many people are attracted
to the unique colors within
this range. Diamonds with
a yellow hint to them
are bright and sunny,
whereas light brown diamonds
the color of honey and
fine cognac are warm and
comforting. At this time
Spencer & Spencer
does not offer diamonds
in this color range. If
you have a special request
for a diamond within this
color range, please fill
out a special request
form and a gemologist
will be in contact with
you.
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Fancy colored diamonds
or “fancies”
refer to extremely rare
diamonds outside the
normal color range scale
(past the Z
color range) with
hues like pink, blue,
green, black, yellow,
orange and very rarely
red. Fancy colors are
not included in the
D-to-Z color scale and
have their own grading
system which grades
hue, tone and color
saturation. If you have
a special request for
a fancy colored diamond,
please fill out our
special request form
and a gemologist will
be in contact with you.
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When
exposed to ultraviolet
light (UV), a diamond
may have a more whitish,
yellowish or bluish
tint, which may imply
that the diamond has
a property known as
fluorescence. Diamond
grading reports will
state whether a diamond
has fluorescent properties
or not, although fluorescence
is not considered a
grading factor, just
a characteristic of
that stone.
If you are choosing
a diamond in the D-F
color range, fluorescence
can make the diamond
appear milky or oily
in sunlight, so we recommend
choosing a colorless
stone without this property.
On the other hand, a
diamond in the I or
J color range can appear
whiter if it has medium
fluorescence. It’s
a matter of personal
preference. Please note
that EGL sometimes refers
to this phenomenon as
photoluminescence.
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have Questions? You can
chat
live with a gemologist
Monday through Friday,
8am to 5pm PST. You can
also call us toll-free
at 800-406-4494 or e-mail
us at questions@spencer-spencer.com. |
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