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Color
|
International
Scale of Colors |
Exceptional White +
Exceptional White
|
D
E
|
Rare White +
Rare White
|
F
G
|
White
|
H
|
Slightly Tinted
White
|
I
J
|
Tinted White
|
K
L
|
Tinted Color
|
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S-Z
|
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Color quality is critical because usually the more
colorless the diamond, the greater its rarity and
value. A single increase in color grade can boost
a diamond's value by thousands of dollars,
depending on the stone's size.
Diamonds
range in color from white to slight brown and
are valued accordingly. A colorless, or white diamond, reflects all colors of light and is very rare.
Most diamonds contain slight traces of yellow, brown, or gray, which limits the light that is reflected.
Color is determined on a letter scale from D to Z. (A, B, and C have been reserved for
diamonds that have yet to be discovered.) Diamonds that are graded D, E, or F have no color detectable
to the untrained eye. G, H, I, and J diamonds are nearly colorless, yet a trained gemologist can detect
a slight yellow cast. Diamonds rated K to Z have a yellow or gray color visible to the naked eye.
It should be noted that diamonds also occur by
rare accidents of nature in shades and intensities
of yellow, pink, blue, green and red. While these
fancy colored diamonds are very special, the
traditional engagement diamond is colorless.
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