The GIA or the standard diamond color scale is the easiest way to recognize the worth and rarity of a particular kind of diamond. Diamonds are divided according to their color as gems of different value, and these colors can be anything like white yellow, pink, brown, blue, or red.
This is termed often diamond color gardening. It usually goes from light to dark. This is the actual diamond’s color which is based on its saturation and method of formation, which exactly makes it rare and therefore increases its cost.
Let us look at the international diamond color gardening scale developed by the gemological institute of America to identify different diamonds and understand what they mean and how they are classified.
The Diamond Color Gardening Scale for all Diamond Types
It is often believed that the red diamond is the most expensive of all diamonds.
Is that true? Yes, diamonds other than white and yellow are extremely rare to find.
There are also other ways of classifying diamonds such as symmetry and cutting. But the color chart continues to be the easiest method of classification and also the most uniform one.
Since the diamond color gardening chart can be used to seamlessly understand the color spectrum within each color type, this also makes it easier to distinguish between two diamonds of the same color but in different shades.
Let us look at the color chart now.
D color diamond
This diamond is the diamond white color, the most commonly found diamond which has great religious and cultural value across the world. The white diamond is the most precious for jewelers. The white diamond is to this date used in diamond jewelry to form the base.
It is often worked upon and converted into a metallic base or band which further increases the value of the jewelry.
E color diamond
The E-color diamond can also be classified as a colorless diamond as it is a transparent gem of perfect total internal reflection which makes it sparkle as brightly as it does.
This is the most widely sold in modern markets and if you have seen or owned any price list diamond set chances are that it is made of the e-color diamond.
F color diamond
F color diamond is also colorless. But it has the lightest change of yellow which can be detected under a gemologist’s microscope.
These are considered to be high-grade commercial diamonds which often also find use in premium quality mechanical or technological tools. It is to be known that the most highly valued diamonds are colorless.
G color diamond
This color diamond is nearly white, but a certain yellow tint can be noticed by an observer if they pay close attention. The lightness of color is noticeable when compared to diamonds of better grades but they are still extremely high quality.
H color diamond
H color diamond is a very popular diamond type that is quite similar to the G color diamond except that it is more pronounced in its lack of complete colorlessness. It is also often chosen for mechanical and technical tools.
I color diamond
I color diamond is also nearly colorless. It has a lower saturation strength and reflection capability in comparison to its predecessor diamond grades. This pattern will be seen continuously as the diamonds start to become a painter and painter yellowish in color.
J color diamond, K color diamond, M color diamond
commonly known as the faint yellow color group on the GIA color chart, the J color diamond, K color diamond, and M color diamond usually do not find many places in the world of diamond color gardening-based jewelry making.
Most of these diamonds are used in machine tools because of their sharpness and precision. Some of these happen to find a place in high-grade scientific research institutes and laboratories.
Colorless grades
- D color diamond
- E color diamond
- F color diamond
Among the white to a faint yellow range of colors in which diamonds occur, the colorless have the highest value. The diamond color gardening system begins at D and the diamonds of D, E, and F color all have no tint. The price of these three diamond types is the same more or less.
Nearly colorless diamond grades
- Diamond color G
- Diamond color H
- Diamond color I
- Diamond color J
Diamond jewelry that is not on the most expensive side is often created with these diamond grades. The diamond color G is mostly chosen among all these grades. Surprisingly the diamond color gardening of the H diamond is on higher a scale than even I or J.
Faintly yellow diamond grades
- K color diamond
- L color diamond
- M color diamond
These very faint yellow hue diamonds are usually not preferred for jewelry making however some of these diamonds of high quality do make their way into the jewelry world, especially for people who value the yellow tinted gemstone jewelry. In recent years the subdued scene of diamonds has risen in popularity.
What are fancy colored diamonds?
Diamonds with vibrant colored bodies are called fancy color diamonds and they are extremely expensive while being very. It is famously said that fancy color diamonds come in all colors of the rainbow.
These diamonds do not have the transparency of the colorless grades. But have an even brighter shine and glamour. Fancy-colored diamond color gardening usually exists beyond grade Z, such as the diamond blue color, often celebrated as a version of the sapphire.
These days fancy color diamonds are synthetically prepared in laboratories. Even then the preparation process is very hard and they still cost a pretty penny. Most jewelry made out of these diamonds is owned by royalty figures and multi-millionaires.
Diamond color gardening and its effect on the price
Color differences between any two gems can be of infinite shades. Such tiny differences do not cause any price difference. But for large level color differences such that they can be identified by a casual observer, the price difference is such.
From the D to Z scale, the price keeps on decreasing as the color turns yellowish, with each gradual intensity. After the grade Z, however, the price can change from one grade to another by the value of 10% or more. Any flow when it comes to diamonds can reduce its price by thousands of US dollars.
Diamond shape and diamond color
Great diamond shapes can conceal colored flowers within a diamond. This means even if the color wasn’t consistent, it will appear to be so due to its high reflection ability.
Bad diamond shapes, on the other hand, mean that no matter how beautiful the color, there will be a difference in the amount of light the diamond is reflecting. Therefore, in the long run, it also indirectly impacts the diamond’s color and does not let it shine the way a diamond should.
Ring settings and diamond color
Diamonds look beautiful in platinum or white gold ring settings. Often in high-value jewelry, some designers preferred to use the diamond itself for the ring setting body as well. Even fancy color diamonds like green pink and blue benefit from the use of silver-tone ring settings.
However, diamonds with warm diamond color gardening tints like yellows and Browns, along with the deepest of red look great in a gold ring setting. Sometimes paint yellow diamonds look almost colorless once upon a gold ring body.
Conclusion
Diamond scales help us determine what to buy and what we are comfortable with. It is important to have correct knowledge of gemstones before going into your first purchase as these are high-value investments, both from a personal and social, and at the same time financial standpoint. One can never be precise enough.