Diamonds come in a variety of colors, ranging from colorless to shades of yellow, brown, gray, blue, green, pink, purple, orange, red and black. The color of a diamond is determined by chemical impurities and structural defects in the crystal lattice. The more colorless a diamond is, the higher its value and rarity.
Diamond Colors
Here is an overview of the different diamond colors and their characteristics:
Colorless/White Diamonds
Colorless or white diamonds contain little to no impurities and have the highest value. They transmit light easily and appear crystal clear. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades these diamonds as D, E or F on a color scale.
Near Colorless Diamonds
Near colorless diamonds have faint yellow or brown tints visible under close inspection. GIA grades them as G, H or I. While less rare than colorless diamonds, near colorless diamonds are still prized for their minimal color.
Faint Yellow Diamonds
Faint yellow diamonds have a light yellow tint visible to the naked eye. GIA grades them as J through M. The more saturated the yellow, the less rare and valuable the diamond. However, fancy yellow diamonds are an exception valued for their striking color.
Light Brown Diamonds
Light brown diamonds have subtle shades of brown. GIA grades them as N through R. Intense browns are less desirable, but some collectors value brown diamonds’ earthy hues.
Fancy Color Diamonds
Any diamond with a noticeable color beyond the yellow and brown range is considered a fancy color diamond. These come in shades of gray, blue, green, pink, purple, orange, red and black. The most prized fancy colors are vivid blues and deep reds.
What Causes Diamond Color?
The color in diamonds comes from trace elements present during their formation:
| Impurity | Color Caused |
|---|---|
| Nitrogen | Yellow, brown |
| Boron | Blue |
| Hydrogen | Purple, pink, red, orange |
| Lattice defects | Green |
| Radiation exposure | Green, blue, black |
The most common impurity is nitrogen which causes yellowish hues. Boron and hydrogen are rarer but produce the most prized blue and red colors. High radiation exposure can also impart green, blue or black tints.
How Many Diamond Colors Are There?
The GIA officially recognizes over 120 different diamond color varieties. However, there are potentially thousands of subtle color distinctions.
Here is a summary of the main diamond color categories:
| Color Grade | Number of Colors |
|---|---|
| Colorless (D-F) | 3 |
| Near colorless (G-J) | 4 |
| Faint yellow (K-M) | 3 |
| Light brown (N-R) | 5 |
| Fancy yellow | Over 100 shades |
| Fancy brown | Over 50 shades |
| Fancy gray | Over 10 shades |
| Fancy blue | Over 20 shades |
| Fancy green | Over 10 shades |
| Fancy pink | Over 15 shades |
| Fancy purple | Over 10 shades |
| Fancy orange | Over 10 shades |
| Fancy red | Over 5 shades |
| Fancy black | 1 main shade |
As shown, when all the subtle hue variations are taken into account, there are potentially over 300 identifiable diamond colors. The most diversity is seen among yellow, brown and blue diamonds with over 100 distinct shades each.
Colorless diamonds have the least diversity with only 3 main grades. Fancy reds and blacks are also limited to fewer colors. Ultimately, the exact number of diamond colors is difficult to quantify precisely. New shades continue to be discovered as diamond sourcing expands globally.
Rarity of Diamond Colors
The rarity and value of diamond colors is ranked as follows:
1. Red – The rarest and most expensive diamond color
2. Blue
3. Green – Very rare
4. Pink, Purple – Rare and valuable
5. Orange
6. Yellow, Brown – Less rare but valued in vivid shades
7. Gray, Black
8. Colorless – Most common and affordable of the colored diamonds
The majority of diamonds on the market are in the colorless to light yellow range. Only 0.1% of gem-quality diamonds exhibit a distinct fancy color, making them far more rare and desirable. Red diamonds are the prize at just 0.0001% of natural diamonds. Blue, green and pink diamonds are also extremely scarce and command high prices.
How Diamond Color Affects Value
Diamond color has a significant impact on value and price:
– Colorless diamonds have the highest values due to rarity. A D color diamond will be valued higher than an otherwise identical G color stone.
– Faint yellow diamonds are common and more affordable, except in rare vivid shades. As yellow intensity increases, value declines.
– Pure fancy colors like vivid blue or red are the most valuable. Medium tones offer an optimal balance of saturation and rarity.
– Secondary hues like brownish yellow reduce value compared to primary yellows. Secondary colors appear muddy.
– Gray is the least valued fancy color, while black is intriguing for its depth. Prized black diamonds have a strong saturation.
In general, diamonds with intense, pure primary colors receive the highest valuations. Desirability drops off for darker, duller secondary hues. Even faint yellow reduces value for a colorless stone. Diamond color preferences shift over time, but rarity remains the key factor.
How to Evaluate Diamond Color
Diamond color is graded using established GIA standards:
– Color is judged face-down against a white background to eliminate reflections and distortions.
– Stones are sorted into master color comparison sets to assign a color grade.
– Grading is conducted under controlled lighting conditions. Different light sources can impact apparent color.
– Hue, saturation and uniformity of color are assessed. Fancy colors are graded for purity rather than darkness.
– GIA grades D-Z with D being the highest white color. Fancy colors are graded as Intense, Vivid, Fancy Dark, Fancy Deep, Fancy Light etc.
– Eye-clean clarity is essential. Internal flaws can interfere with color visibility.
Consumers should examine diamonds in person before purchase whenever possible. Be sure to view the diamond in multiple light sources to judge color accuracy. Work with a credible jeweler or lab when evaluating fancy colored diamonds.
Finding the Best Diamond Color
Choosing the right diamond involves balancing the 4Cs of cut, clarity, color and carat weight. Use these tips to select the ideal color:
– Match diamond color to the recipient’s jewelry style and skin tone. Warmer tones complement bronze skin; cooler tones suit fair skin.
– Prioritize color for a solitaire; compromise on color to optimize size in accessorized settings.
– Choose a faint yellow diamond with strong saturation rather than a weaker colorless stone.
– Ensure color is eye-clean and uniform for the diamond’s clarity grade.
– With fancy colors, aim for medium-deep tones rather than extremely dark shades.
– Compare diamonds in similar lighting conditions and color grading systems.
– Weigh the price premium for whiter or fancier colors against overall budget.
An informed buyer can navigate the nuances of diamond color to find the perfect match. Partnering with a reputable jeweler is the best way to secure ideal diamond color.
Conclusion
Diamond color ranges from pristine white to shades of yellow, brown and across the rainbow spectrum. While colorless diamonds are most prized, fancy colors offer distinct beauty. There are over 300 identifiable diamond hues. But the exact count is variable as new shades are discovered. With an discerning eye and gemological guidance, diamond lovers can explore this full kaleidoscope to adorn life’s precious moments.