Nov 16 2011
Buying Diamonds – Assessing The Color Of Them
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When you set out to purchase a diamond make sure you are familiar with the four Cs. These are the diamonds cut, color, clarity and the actual carat weight. While most people are familiar with carat weights, they are not often knowledgeable on the others. A diamonds color is an important factor in determining its value and color can be difficult to ascertain to the untrained eye. Here are some great ways to make sure you get a diamond with a good color.
First of all, learn about what the color of a diamond actually means. If a diamond has color, it can appear yellowish which can really decrease the value of the stone. This is because the color takes away from the beauty and sparkle of the diamond. However, if a diamond is an exotic color, such as bright yellow, blue, pink, or red, then they are usually far more valuable. These intensely colored diamonds are very rare and can cost a whole lot.
Purchasing a diamond that has a GIA certification will allow you to see the actual color grade of the diamond. That means that you dont have to guess the quality, or the value. If you buy one that is not certified, then you will want to make sure that you have a jeweler inspect it with a loupe to let you know the color grade. While certifications are always a great idea, you dont always have to buy one. Just remember to be careful when shopping.
When it comes to color, there is a letter grading system that is used. It starts with the letter D and can go all the way to a letter Z. A diamond with a color grade of D will be completely colorless- but this is not something that you will find often. Letters E-F are colorless unless you have it under magnification. Then you get to G-I, which means that it is hard to see any color. Anything past the letter J is visible color.
This will help you when it comes time to choose the perfect diamond. The better the color grade, the more expensive the diamond will be. This means that you will be better off getting a diamond that is in the G-I range because it will be visually beautiful and sparkly, but it will not cost as much as a colorless diamond. Even a slight change in the color grade can greatly impact the overall value and cost of the diamond.
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