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We're still waiting for someone to find an "A" colorless
diamond. And that's why there is no A, B or C on the color
scale. So for now, a D is as colorless, and valuable, as you
can buy. The scale then runs to Z, the more yellow present,
the lower the letter and value. However, X-Y-Z range and lower
can also be very rare "fancy yellow" diamonds.
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(Note: The images below are for illustration
only and not to be used as an exact color gauge.)
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D-E-F: Colorless. This is
the colorless diamond group. They are common enough to be found
in any store, but still command the highest prices. D and E show
virtually no color and are clear like glass. F starts to show the very slightest of color
and is the transitional color to the next group.
G-H-I: Near colorless. This
is the near colorless group. If you are looking for value when you
shop, ask to see stones from this group. These diamonds begin to
exhibit a very light shade of color, but it is hard to detect in
mounted stones.
J-K-L-M: Faint yellow. This
is the group that begins to show slight yellow color which may be
noticeable from the top of the stone and even more from the sides.
N through R: Very light yellow.
Diamonds in the N-R group show yellow color even when mounted in
jewelry. Determining the exact color of a diamond in this group
is not important since their prices are similar. Certificates for
diamonds in the N-R group are uncommon because of their relatively
low price.
S through Z: Light yellow.Diamonds
in this group show substantial color when loose or mounted. Although
prices for S-W range are the same, and bring the lowest price in
the colorless-yellow market, diamonds around the X-Y-Z range and
lower are rare and have a very appealing yellow color causing their
price to rise (fancy yellow). The stronger the yellow, the higher
the price. Fancy yellow diamonds can command prices as high as "D"
colors or more.
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THE BROWN COLOR GROUP
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Brown diamonds are simply colorless diamonds that have a tint of
brownish body color. The brown group is cheaper than any other group
simply because they have fallen out of favor with the public. The
D-Z color scale only considers white and yellow diamonds, so brown
stones are not represented in it.. Brown diamonds have a scale of their own, called "brown
shades," but defining an accurate price can be difficult.
The common shades are: Very light brown, Light brown, Brown and
Dark brown.
A common way to pin a price on a brown diamond in the trade is
to compare its color to the Colorless - Light yellow group as follows:
Very light brown, comparable in
price to the G-H-I color group.
Light brown, compare to the J-K-L-M color group.
Brown, falls in line with the N-R color group.
Dark brown, think the S-Z color group.
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FLUORESCENCE
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Fluorescence is an effect that causes a diamond to glow under
ultra violet light (UV). 50% of diamonds have fluorescence.
The glowing is usually in the color of blue, but occasionally
other colors are noticeable - predominantly yellow. Strong
fluorescence can cause a diamond to look "hazy" or less
transparent in the highest colors of diamonds - D and E. All
other grades of fluorescence don't have much of an affect on
the diamonds appearance. Some fluorescence is desirable. Very
low colored diamonds - L-M-N group will look
"whiter" or of higher color when and if they have a
strong fluorescence. The only fluorescence we recommend to
avoid is a very strong blue in a D or E colored diamond. We
have over 4000 loose diamonds so we are sure one without much
fluorescence can be found.
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The following are the possible grades given
to fluorescence:
None - Faint -
Medium - Strong - Very strong
All certificates denote the diamond's
fluorescence as well as color.
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