What Is Diamond Color?

Did you know that it’s very rare to find a diamond that doesn’t have any color at all? In fact, diamonds are found in almost any naturally occurring color, including gray, white, yellow, green, brown, and pink.

Some General Info About Diamond Color

• Part of diamond valuation is determined by the absence of color.
• Only certified grading professionals should determine a diamond’s color grade.
• The tone of a ring’s setting can affect the appearance of diamond color.

Diamond Color Is An Important Characteristic That Affects A Diamond’s Beauty

Like all of the 4Cs, diamond color is an important consideration when buying a diamond. While color affects price, there are a number of factors that can help you decide which color grade is right for you.

The GIA White Diamonds Color-Grade Scale Is The Industry Standard

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) color scale is the industry standard for diamond grading. The GIA diamond color grades range from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Many people ask why the GIA diamond grading scale starts at D. Arcane systems used grades of A-C, 1-3, and I-III, etc. The GIA set out to standardize these diverse systems and started their scale fresh with a grade of D.

D Color Diamonds (Absolutely Colorless)

D color diamond is the highest grade and is extremely rare—the highest color grade that money can buy.

What is the Cut of a Diamond?

Have you ever noticed how many surfaces a diamond has? A diamond’s cut refers to how well-proportioned the dimensions of a diamond are, and how these surfaces, or facets, are positioned to create sparkle and brilliance. For example, what is the ratio of the diamond’s diameter in comparison to its depth? These small, yet essential, factors determine the diamond’s beauty and price.

Are You Wondering Which Diamond Cut Is Best? It All Starts With Your Budget.

No single diamond is perfect for everyone—but all of our customers, whether they’re eyeing a .25-carat or a 10-carat diamond, want as much sparkle as their budget allows. Of the the 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, carat), cut has the greatest influence on a diamond’s beauty and sparkle. Even a diamond with a flawless clarity grade (no blemishes or inclusions) can look glassy or dull if the cut is too shallow or deep. So, when determining what diamond to buy, go with the best cut grade that you can afford.

What is the Shape of the Diamond?

Shape refers to the geometric outline and overall physical form of a diamond. Every diamond shape has its own attributes and cut specifications, which also play a large factor in the overall look of the stone.

What Is The Best Diamond Shape?

Thanks to its unrivaled sparkle and brilliance, the round diamond is our bestseller. It looks great in a wide range of settings, and is naturally flattering to many different hand and finger shapes. Non-round fancy-shaped diamonds, such as princess, emerald, pear, and Asscher are less popular than rounds, but offer an array of beautiful style options. Plus, these distinctive shapes often cost less than rounds of the same carat weight, allowing you to make the most of your budget. Ultimately the diamond shape that you fall in love with comes down to personal preference. You’re the one who gets to admire it every day!

Are Diamond Shape And Diamond Cut Interchangeable?

Technically, no. Conversationally, yes. While shape and cut mean distinctly different things, it’s common for customers, jewelers and other industry professionals to use the terms interchangeably. From a textbook perspective, shape refers to the outline of a diamond and the cut of a diamond refers to the facets, proportions, dimensions and overall reflective qualities that make a diamond sparkle.

What is a Diamond Carat?

The term carat is often misunderstood. It refers to a diamond’s weight, not its size. Another misperception is that a larger carat weight is always better than a smaller carat weight. While it’s true that a big rock can be a status symbol (here’s looking at you, Hollywood), carat weight is not related to sparkle. Beautiful sparkle is the result of a well-crafted cut. In fact, a high carat weight diamond with a poor cut may look smaller than a diamond with a smaller carat weight and a very good cut.

Diamond Carat Price

Diamonds with higher carat weights are cut from larger rough crystals that are harder to source than small crystals. So, the relationship between carat weight and price depends on the rarity or availability of a rough crystal. Carat price is also a function of finding rough crystals with desirable color, and internal and external characteristics that will positively influence clarity when the diamond is cut.

The Brief History Of Diamond Carat

The term carat comes from the ancient method of weighing precious metal and stones against the seeds of the carob tree—which were considered to be even in weight. It wasn’t until 1907, at the Fourth General Conference on Weights and Measures, when it was agreed upon that one diamond carat would be equal to 200 mg, or .2 grams, of a diamond. Carats can also be measured in points; 100 points equals a full carat.