How are Diamonds Graded for Colour?
Colour is an important factor when dealing with diamonds. It forms one of the 4 C's alongside cut, clarity and carat. All of these determine the value of each individual diamond. So, if the diamond is a rare colour, which is cut well, with a great degree of clarity, as well as being heavy in weight, then it will be more valuable in terms of price. When it comes to colour, the shade plays an important role and the intensity can also affect value too.
The tint from a diamond is an entirely natural process that has formed over hundreds of years, which in itself is a beautiful process. The shades and colours of each diamond come from different factors. Red and pink stones are very rare, and the reason for their colour is due to a great amount of pressure. Nitrogen will cause a diamond to form an orange or yellow hue and those of a violet colour are formed due to the presence of hydrogen. Rare coloured diamonds are harder to come by as they are mined irregularly and they are not as common as other variations, although clear diamonds are also worth a considerable amount.
As mentioned earlier, all of the 4 C'S equate to how much a diamond is worth, although, arguably, colour is the most important factor. The colour is graded in terms of the stones tint and each grade represents a different value. The running order is as follows: Faint, Very Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep, and Fancy Vivid. So, as an example, a diamond that is a red Fancy Vivid would be worth a considerable amount, whereas a yellow Fancy Light would not be worth as much.
Some diamonds may appear colourless, although when compared to another stone, side by side, you will be able to see slight variations and detect subtle tones of yellow or brown. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) created a set of guidelines in order to determine and grade the colour of diamonds. For a diamond to be graded, it must be a loose stone. If it is placed in anything, then this can affect the colour. A letter system is then used to work out how much colour there is present, which ranges from D to Z, where D is awarded to rare and completely colourless diamonds.
The system can be broken down into the following relevant categories D-E-F are colourless, G through to J are nearly colourless, K to M are faintly tinted, N-R are lightly tinted, which can be seen by the naked eye, and finally S-Z are tinted.
It can take a while to understand how to grade a diamond based on its colour, let alone the other factors that are required. Obviously the more you know the better, as this will help you when it comes to looking for the most suitable stones to purchase.
Having a decent level of knowledge about diamonds will involve learning a lot, so in some cases it might be wise to use the services of a diamond investment company. They can help you build and diversify your portfolio and also advise you on the best and most lucrative diamonds in which to invest, based on the budget at your disposal. Like with any form of investment, it's important to get a feel for how the market works. So, if you are new to diamond investment, then the best advice from the best sources can sometimes prove invaluable.
There are other forms of grading and identification, although these are essentially the basics when it comes to a diamond's colour. Hopefully, the factors outlined in this article will serve as a helpful resource when investing in diamonds.
The tint from a diamond is an entirely natural process that has formed over hundreds of years, which in itself is a beautiful process. The shades and colours of each diamond come from different factors. Red and pink stones are very rare, and the reason for their colour is due to a great amount of pressure. Nitrogen will cause a diamond to form an orange or yellow hue and those of a violet colour are formed due to the presence of hydrogen. Rare coloured diamonds are harder to come by as they are mined irregularly and they are not as common as other variations, although clear diamonds are also worth a considerable amount.
As mentioned earlier, all of the 4 C'S equate to how much a diamond is worth, although, arguably, colour is the most important factor. The colour is graded in terms of the stones tint and each grade represents a different value. The running order is as follows: Faint, Very Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep, and Fancy Vivid. So, as an example, a diamond that is a red Fancy Vivid would be worth a considerable amount, whereas a yellow Fancy Light would not be worth as much.
Some diamonds may appear colourless, although when compared to another stone, side by side, you will be able to see slight variations and detect subtle tones of yellow or brown. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) created a set of guidelines in order to determine and grade the colour of diamonds. For a diamond to be graded, it must be a loose stone. If it is placed in anything, then this can affect the colour. A letter system is then used to work out how much colour there is present, which ranges from D to Z, where D is awarded to rare and completely colourless diamonds.
The system can be broken down into the following relevant categories D-E-F are colourless, G through to J are nearly colourless, K to M are faintly tinted, N-R are lightly tinted, which can be seen by the naked eye, and finally S-Z are tinted.
It can take a while to understand how to grade a diamond based on its colour, let alone the other factors that are required. Obviously the more you know the better, as this will help you when it comes to looking for the most suitable stones to purchase.
Having a decent level of knowledge about diamonds will involve learning a lot, so in some cases it might be wise to use the services of a diamond investment company. They can help you build and diversify your portfolio and also advise you on the best and most lucrative diamonds in which to invest, based on the budget at your disposal. Like with any form of investment, it's important to get a feel for how the market works. So, if you are new to diamond investment, then the best advice from the best sources can sometimes prove invaluable.
There are other forms of grading and identification, although these are essentially the basics when it comes to a diamond's colour. Hopefully, the factors outlined in this article will serve as a helpful resource when investing in diamonds.
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