Colour

An overwhelming ratio of diamonds is yellow, brown and even black in colour. Most of them find their way into industrial use. The ‘white’ or colourless diamonds are the rarest. Since they allow more light to pass through them and therefore produce more ‘fire,’ the whiter a diamond’s colour, the grater is its value.

The Gemological Institute of America grades colour of diamonds alphabetically from D (totally colourless) to Z (yellow). Diamonds D to F are considered ‘colourless’, G to J ‘near colourless’, K to M ‘slightly tinted’, N to R ‘very light yellow or brown,’ and S to Z ‘light yellow or brown’.

However, the D – Z scale being continuous, difference between an F and a G is miniscule. Engagement diamonds are usually in the colour range G to H.

Breslauer & Warren can help you make comparisons for grading. An un-mounted diamond has to be placed face down on a white piece of paper next to a master set of stones graded by the Gemological Institute of America. You can compare the colour of the diamond with stones in the reference set until you get the best match.

One small tip here: choice of stone could depend on the setting you want. Yellow gold is more forgiving to a less than colourless diamond.  But if you mount your diamond on platinum or white gold, its colour should be in the D – G range.

Please Click Here to Continue onto Clarity.

Still have questions about Diamond Colour? Call us at (403) 252-9048 for more help or come and visit our store to see the best Calgary Jewelry.