Basics of Fancy Color
Diamonds
Natural color diamonds are valued for their greater tone and
saturation of color whereas white diamonds, which in reality come in a color
range of white to light yellow/brown, are more highly valued the less color
they possess. A white diamond containing no color is given a grade of D, and if
it contains slight color it will be given a grade Z. If a diamond contains even
more color than a Z it is termed a ‘fancy’ color diamond and the grading of fancy color diamonds is carried out
using a separate color grading system.
The value of a ‘fancy’ color diamond depends on its rarity and
intensity of color. The quality of the cut, clarity and the size of the diamond
are also taken into account. When assessing value the size of stone has to be
looked at in relation to the rarity of its color. When value is determined in
regards to fancy color diamonds, the Color rarity and saturation are more
important than carat, clarity and even size.
Grading of ‘fancy’ color diamonds is generally carried out
by a gemological lab – one of the best known is the GIA (Gemological Institute
of America).
Grading of ‘Fancy’
color diamonds is based on
·The ‘hue’ or main color such as pink,
green or blue, plus the secondary tint if there is one. A ‘pure’ color diamond
has no secondary tints and these diamonds generally possess the highest values.
·The tone – which defines how light or
dark the color is from very light to very dark.
·The level of color saturation: What is
termed a high level of saturation differs between different types of color
diamonds – a light diamond can be pastel to vivid, while a darker tone diamond
can range from dark to deep.
Anyone thinking of buying a
‘fancy’ color diamond should obtain a valid gemological certificate from a
laboratory such as the GIA which specializes in the grading of ‘Fancy’ color
diamonds.
