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Spotlight & Definition on Diamond Color

The Diamond Spot’s Spotlight on Diamond Color

One characteristic that is vital to selecting the perfect diamond is color.  In fact, for most consumers, it is a common misconception that higher color graded diamonds display a more intense sparkle and brilliance.

The Diamond Spot will help explain to you the keys to a diamond color.

What is Diamond Color?

When it comes to grading color, the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has devised a system of diamond coloring.  The normal range is from D (colorless) to Z (light brown or yellow).  The fancy color grading system begins when the intensity of the color in a diamond is stronger than a Z.

Diamonds are found throughout nature in almost every color and hue; grey, white, yellow, red, green, pink, and brown.  Despite common perception, it is scarce to find a truly colorless diamond. 

Why does it Matter How a Diamond Color is Graded?

Regardless of whether or not the GIA grades a diamond, almost everyone sold in the market today is rated using the standardized color scale.

A trained gemologist begins the grading process when they flip the loose stone over and begin to compare them with a known set of master stones. When a diamond is viewed from face down, the one aspect most apparent will be the color differences.

By viewing the diamond this way, it reduces Distractions, which are the result of internal and surface reflecting facets.  The process occurs in a controlled environment with neutral lighting to make sure accurate and consistent grading takes place.

A diamond is mounted face up in a setting in real life.  To the untrained eye, it would be complicated to recognize the subtle differences in color.

How does the Color Scale Chart Determine Diamond Color?

The GIA Diamond Chart and Color Grades consist of five main categories that range from colorless to slightly tinted.  The scarcest and “whitest” grade that money can buy are D color diamonds.

The color tint on a diamond will start to become more noticeable the further down the color scale you go.  When shopping for a diamond, The Diamond Spot will help highlight some of the more popular color grades on the market.

D, E, and F Diamonds – These diamonds are in the colorless range and will appear cool, icy white.  They command a higher premium price for these diamonds due to the rarity in nature. If money is no object, then these are the diamonds to get your hands on.

G, H, I, and J Diamonds – These diamonds are in the near-colorless range.  In the face-up view, they possess color tints that are very hard to differentiate.  If the diamonds are well-cut, the G and H colors will look white to most untrained eyes.

K, L, and M Diamonds – When looking for the best bang for your buck, these are the best color grades due to the balance of a tinge of color and affordability.  You should avoid diamonds beyond the color grade of K if you are color adverse.

It is incredible that yellowish color in a diamond is due to the presence of nitrogen in its chemical composition.  To cause the stone to appear as a K color is one-part nitrogen in a million.

Visit or schedule an appointment at The Diamond Spot and let one of our Diamond Specialists will walk you through the differences in a Diamond Color.  Seeing the difference in person is vital in determining the precise diamond that is perfect for you. 

Insight into the Carat of a Diamond

The Diamond Spot’s Insight into the Carat of a Diamond

Before even stepping foot into The Diamond Spot’s showroom, customers typically think that when it comes to buying an engagement ring that carat weight is viewed as the essential aspect when selecting a diamond.

Does a diamond with a more significant carat weight always appear larger?  When you hear people saying this is a 1-carat diamond, what does it mean?

The technical answer is that one carat is equal to 200 milligrams or 100 points.  What that means is if you bought a 1 carat stone, you purchased 0.2 grams of a diamond.

There is a misconception by many people that a diamond will always appear larger with bigger carat weight.  The truth is far from that depending on the other three C’s in diamond selection (Cut, Clarity, and Color).

Why Carat Weight is Perceived as the Most Important Factor?

 What’s the first question that pops in your head when you think about a new diamond purchase? Everyone has experienced this scenario when purchasing a diamond.

Instantly what comes to mind are questions involving carat size and weight.  That’s because it has a direct correspondence with the value of that diamond.

Additionally, carat size is an indication of a person’s status or wealth in many societies.  Also, the mass media, along with advertising campaigns, have conditioned us into the belief that “bigger is always better.” This marketing ploy mentally etched in the minds of most people with every cliché movie line like “You would have gotten the bigger diamond if you loved me.”

One Important Thing Everyone Needs to Know About Carat Size

Jewelers know that diamonds sell for much more once they pass a specific size.  A majority of diamonds in the market are cut to retain as much rough weight as possible.  Despite the expense of brilliance and beauty.

Regularly you see stones that are 0.48 or 0.98 carats, and that is by design.  Because they fall below the “magic sizes” that can fetch more money, these stones are rare oddities.

Typically, the bulk of stones are cut into round figures of 0.50 or 1.00 carats.  Sadly, this is at the expense of cut quality.  The ability to keep as much rough as possible is the goal of the cutters.

Knowing all of this, you should not get carried away with selecting the “biggest” stone you can find.  For a majority of first-time buyers, this is the most common mistake.  Instead, it would be best if you considered factors like cut, color, and clarity in addition to carat size when properly selecting the right diamond for you. 

For more in-depth information about color, cut, and diamond shape according to her hand size, visit the other informative Diamond Spot blogs.

Visit or schedule an appointment at The Diamond Spot and let one of our Diamond Specialists walk you through the differences in diamond carats.  We think seeing the difference in person is vital in determining the precise diamond that is perfect for you.