Diamonds come in a variety of colors, from colorless to shades of yellow, brown, blue, pink, red, green, and more. The color of a diamond is determined by the presence of trace elements and structural defects in its crystal lattice. Though some diamonds contain impurities that give them color, the majority of diamonds are considered colorless.
What causes color in diamonds?
The common impurities that contribute color to diamonds include:
– Nitrogen – Causes yellow and brown tones
– Boron – Blue color
– Hydrogen – Pink, red, purple, orange, green
– Structural defects – Can cause yellow, brown, blue, green
So while pure diamond is actually colorless, trace elements present during formation leads to colors. The more saturated the color, the rarer and more valuable the diamond.
What is considered a colorless diamond?
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades the color of diamonds on a scale from D to Z. The GIA scale is as follows:
D, E, F – Colorless
G, H, I, J – Near colorless
K, L, M – Faint yellow
N to Z – Light yellow to yellow
Diamonds graded D, E, and F are considered colorless by GIA standards, with D being the highest color grade. These diamonds allow light to pass through them without adding any color.
Why are colorless diamonds most desirable?
Colorless diamonds are the most rare and valuable because:
– Allow the most light to pass through, maximizing brilliance and fire.
– Complementary for all jewelry settings.
– Rare to find diamonds completely free of impurities.
– Most resemble the mental image people have of a diamond.
– Can be paired with colored gemstones without diluting their hue.
For these reasons, colorless diamonds command the highest prices per carat.
What are fancy color diamonds?
While colorless diamonds are the most common, “fancy color” diamonds with more noticeable hues also exist. These include:
– Pink
– Blue
– Yellow
– Orange
– Purple
– Red
– Green
– Brown
– Black
Fancy colors are rarer and more valuable than pale yellow or brown diamonds. Vivid and saturated fancy color diamonds can be worth many times more than colorless diamonds.
What causes different fancy colors?
The specific impurities and structural defects cause the wide range of fancy diamond colors:
Pink, red, purple – Caused by plastic deformation of the crystal structure during formation, which allows passage of red photons. The more deformity, the redder the diamond.
Blue – Caused by the element boron being present during crystallization. Remains blue under all lighting.
Yellow, brown – Caused by nitrogen impurities in the crystal lattice. The more nitrogen, the more yellow/brown.
Green – Caused by radioactivity or combining yellow and blue-causing impurities.
Orange, amber – Caused by nitrogen and hydrogen defects together. Also called “cape diamonds.”
Black – Caused by many dark inclusions that block light.
So both trace elements and structural defects during formation lead to fancy colors.
What color are diamonds underneath the surface?
While external factors determine the outward color we see, a diamond’s body color affects its transparency. Diamonds can be:
– Colorless – 100% transparent
– Near colorless – Slight tint, mostly transparent
– Faint yellow – Noticeable yellow, less transparency
– Light yellow – Obvious yellow hue, least transparent
The body color underneath alters the overall brilliance and value. Whiter body color means more brilliance and light performance.
Do diamond colors impact value?
Yes, diamond color strongly influences value:
– Colorless (D-F) – Most valuable
– Near colorless (G-J) – Less valuable
– Faint yellow (K-M) – Even less valuable
– Light yellow (N-Z) – Least valuable
As a rule, whiter diamonds have higher prices per carat. Fancy vivid colors are exceptions – these rare diamonds can be worth much more than colorless.
Here is a table comparing GIA color grades and prices:
| GIA Grade | Color | Price Per Carat |
|---|---|---|
| D | Colorless | $12,000 |
| H | Near Colorless | $9,500 |
| M | Faint Yellow | $7,000 |
| Z | Light Yellow | $3,000 |
Prices decline steadily as the yellow hue increases.
Does the setting impact diamond appearance?
Yes, the type of setting can influence the visible color of the diamond:
– Prong settings allow more light to enter, show true color.
– Bezel settings can make a diamond appear whiter.
– Yellow gold metal can mask yellow tints.
– Rose or white metals showcase whiter stones.
So while the setting can complement the diamond color, the underlying GIA grade remains the same.
Should I avoid yellow diamonds?
Not necessarily – faint yellow diamonds (K-M) offer an excellent value. They face-up white and save 30-50% off colorless diamond prices. For budget shoppers or larger carat sizes, faint yellow works well.
The most undesirable are diamonds graded N-Z with obvious yellowing. These face-up noticeably yellow. But for J and better, yellow can be a great diamond choice when priced right.
Does the shape impact color appearance?
Yes, diamond shapes each show color differently:
Round – Most popular shape, displays color evenly from all angles.
Princess – Tend to face-up whiter than other cuts. Can mask yellow tints.
Cushion – Warm, accentuates color visible from the top.
Oval – Bow-tie effect can emphasize body color and inclusions.
Emerald – Large open facets show more color. Very color-sensitive.
So while color remains the same, the apparent color can vary based on the shape and facet placement. Round and Princess cuts display the most even color.
Does a diamond’s clarity impact apparent color?
Yes. Diamonds with lower clarity grades can appear more yellow or brown.
That’s because external inclusions and blemishes tend to reflect warmer tones. The more flaws a diamond has, the more likely it is to show yellow-brown hints.
Diamonds with higher clarity will look the most transparent and icy white in comparison. So clarity and color are correlated.
Can treatments change a diamond’s color?
Yes, some treatments can alter a diamond’s color:
– Coating – Thin film applied to improve apparent whiteness. Surface only.
– HPHT – High pressure/heat treatment can reduce brown and yellow. Permanent change.
– Irradiation – Exposure to radiation turns some diamonds blue, green. Controversial treatment.
Treatments should always be disclosed, as they affect value. Coatings scratch away over time. Only HPHT improves true color permanently.
Should I choose a treated diamond?
Buyers should be wary of treated diamonds:
– Coating and irradiation don’t change the true color.
– Coatings scratch away, exposing poor color underneath.
– Irradiated diamonds contain radioactivity, controversial method.
– HPHT can have lower resale value despite improving true color.
– Difficult to detect treatments without professional testing.
– Reputable brands don’t sell treated diamonds.
For best long-term value, always select natural untreated diamonds over treated. Optimal color choices are D-F colorless or G-J near-colorless that face up white.
How is diamond color evaluated?
Diamond color is graded according to the GIA D-Z scale:
1. Graded face-down on a white background to eliminate reflections and view body color.
2. Compared to a set of “master” diamonds to match color range.
3. Graded under controlled lighting – LED or filtered daylight preferred.
4. Graded quickly to avoid eye fatigue – differences in yellow/brown hues become difficult to distinguish over time.
5. Given final color grade according to where it falls on the GIA scale.
This laboratory environment ensures consistent, accurate color grading not impacted by lighting conditions.
Should I select a fancy color diamond instead?
Fancy color diamonds offer a unique, vibrant alternative to colorless diamonds. Reasons to consider them:
– Rarity – Less than 1% of diamonds have noticeable color.
– Unique beauty – Vivid hues command attention beyond white diamonds.
– Appreciation potential – Values rising faster than colorless diamonds.
– Distinctiveness – Color diamonds convey thoughtfulness.
– Engagement rings – Pink/blue hues are popular for bridal jewelry.
Just beware that weak or muddy tones are far less valuable than vivid, attractive colors. The strongest, most saturated colors have the highest demand.
How do I protect the color of a diamond?
To keep a diamond looking its best:
– Clean regularly with a soft brush and mild soap to prevent buildup.
– Avoid chemicals like chlorine, acid, hydrogen peroxide that can damage surface.
– Store in soft fabric or secure jewelry box to prevent scratching.
– Remove jewelry before physical activities to prevent damage.
– Inspect diamonds yearly for signs of damage or loose settings.
– Have settings inspected and fixed to prevent loss of diamond.
Proper care preserves the sparkle and color of diamonds for lifetime enjoyment!
Conclusion
While many factors like impurities and treatments influence the final color, most diamonds fall into the colorless to light yellow range. Pure diamonds are colorless, with yellow and brown hues being introduced by structural defects in the crystal lattice. Whiter diamonds are the most brilliant and valuable, especially vivid fancy colors which are exceptionally rare. With proper care, the true color of any diamond can be preserved for many years of wear.
