When it comes to purchasing an engagement ring, most people do some research beforehand and read up about the 4 C’s of diamonds – cut, clarity, carat weight, and colour. However, many often overlook the diamond’s colour as they perceive it as the easiest of the four C’s to understand. In reality, colour is one of the most important parts of your engagement ring, and the colour you perceive will depend on a number of different factors. For this reason, some people can mistakenly pay more than they need to for a certain colour.
What is Diamond Colour?
Diamond colour is all about what you can’t see. Diamonds are valued by how closely they approach colourlessness – the less colour, the higher their value. The exception to this is fancy colour diamonds, such as pinks and blues, which lie outside this colour range. Most diamonds found in jewellery stores run from colourless to near-colourless, with slight hints of yellow or brown.
GIA’s Color-Grading Scale
GIA’s color-grading scale for diamonds is the industry standard. The scale begins with the letter D, representing colourless, and continues with increasing presence of colour to the letter Z, or light yellow or brown. Each letter grade has a clearly defined range of colour appearance. Diamonds are colour-graded by comparing them to stones of known colour under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions.
The Importance of Diamond Colour in Maximizing Sparkle
There are many small factors that determine a diamond’s sparkle. As light can travel and reflect through colourless diamonds much better than those with colour present, a colourless diamond will ultimately have a better sparkle. The reason for most people spending extra and going for colourless diamonds is that they reflect more light, giving them more fire and brilliance.
Diamond Grade Bands
Diamonds in the grade band D-F are going to be priced highest as they are near or completely colourless. Grade band G-I diamonds are near colourless, and the colour can be completely undetectable to the untrained eye. These stones are often a better deal for your budget. From grade J onwards, you will get a hint of yellow coming through the stone. It comes down to whether you like the colour or not.
Factors Affecting Diamond Colour
The colour of a diamond is influenced by many factors, including the diamond’s environment and the presence of other elements within the crystal. A diamond’s colour can also be influenced by the way it was formed, the pressures and temperatures involved, and the crystal’s exposure to radiation.
Yellow Diamonds
There are some people who may like the slight yellow colour that comes into the stone as it goes down in the grading system. This should not be confused with yellow diamonds or fancy yellow diamonds which are meant to be yellow. Yellow diamonds are graded differently, with intensity levels ranging from faint yellow to fancy deep yellow. The price of a yellow diamond increases with its intensity.
In Conclusion
While cut, clarity, and carat weight are important factors to consider when purchasing an engagement ring, it is important not to overlook the importance of diamond colour. The colour of a diamond can greatly affect its value and sparkle, and should not be dismissed as an easy factor to understand. When choosing a diamond, consider your personal preferences and budget, and consult with a reputable jeweller to ensure that you make an informed decision.
Feel free to contact us to talk in more detail about the perfect diamond for you or take a look at another one of our articles which goes into diamond colour and other characteristics in more detail.
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