Diamonds: What Does Color Mean

Diamonds: What Does Color Mean

The color of diamonds ranges from transparent to yellowish or brown. Diamonds have different saturations of color and different tones. Diamond colors can include yellow, pink, green, blue, brown, red as well as other hues. Those with unusual or intense colors are commonly called "fancy" and are the most rare and most valuable diamonds.

To evaluate a diamond's color, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) adopted a system known as the “GIA Color Grade Scale” that considers the different colors and shades of diamonds by using the following letter grades and designations:

· D-F is colorless

· G-I is near colorless

· J-Z is noticable color

To set the standard, the GIA has certified diamond color grades with its “master color comparison” diamonds. A diamond is graded by comparing it to the master color comparison diamonds to find the shade that most closely matches. Diamonds judged to be Fancy Colored Diamonds are not represented on the scale; they are graded for their color not lack of it. In grading a diamond, a balance of UV fluorescent light and a colorless environment should be used.

Also when grading a diamond, the strength of the fluorescence of that diamond must be stated. Fluorescence causes some diamonds to change color when viewed in ultraviolet daylight as well as under fluorescent light. Fluorescence may be considered strong, moderate, or weak.

Part of a diamond's appraisal will be an indication of the color the diamond will change due to fluorescence.

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