Education > Cut / Clarity / Color / Carat Weight / Certification / Conflict Diamonds

The C's : Color

Most diamonds contain some hint of color. This is caused by the presence of nitrogen in the earth where they formed. Color grading for most diamonds is done on a scale of D to Z. A diamond with more color than a Z is a ‘fancy colored diamond’ and could come in any color you can imagine. These ‘fancy colors,’ however, are not graded on the same scale.

Common Grading Standards

Some of the world’s largest labs are softer on color than other labs. Diamonds in most chain stores, malls and discount outlets have far more tint than diamonds sent to the stricter labs. This can give casual shoppers a false and negative first impression about warmer colors.

Tip: The best way to determine which diamond is right for you (in terms of color) is to compare different colored diamonds that have been graded in different labs side by side. Our diamond specialists at Continental Diamond would be happy to help you with this demonstration.

AGS and GIA Standards

Two of the world’s strictest labs on color and clarity are the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and American Gem Society (AGS). These labs employ strict and consistent standards. Diamonds with AGS and GIA reports command a higher premium and hold their value better than diamonds from softer labs.

Cut Influences Color Appearance

Diamonds in the D-Z scale are graded face-down, viewed through the side of the pavilion. This is because shape and cut quality both influence how light gets in and out of the diamond; grading face-down allows for a neutral assessment of body color. The brilliant cutting style is most efficient for returning light, so a round brilliant or princess may show less apparent color face-up than a step cut like an emerald or asscher.

Above-Average Cut Quality

When cut quality is above average, brilliants can “face up” with notably less color than the color grade they were assigned, which was determined face-down. Why? Because light gets in and out faster. This is the opposite of poor cutting (or cutting for colored stones) where critical angles are missed and light rays escape through the pavilion or make multiple bounces before leaving - which illuminates body tone.

Tip: The more superior the cut quality the less color is seen face-up.

Ideal Cut Diamonds = Less Color Face Up

Diamonds that are cut to the highest level of performance have critical angles and precision-cutting so light gets in and out with the greatest intensity. Such ideal cut diamonds appear far more colorless than their laboratory cut grades. In fact, when selling ideal cut diamonds we must discourage conventional thinking of letter-ranges like DEF because these diamonds break those barriers.

Interesting Fact: We have asked buyers to choose a “favorite” diamond before we disclose the diamond’s color. In hundreds of cases, buyers have been shocked when they learn that their “favorite” diamond is several grades below what they thought was their threshold.

Interesting Fact: Only a fraction of the world’s diamonds have such cut quality; they are rare enough that most people have never even seen one. When buyers are considering such cut quality we urge them to dismiss preconceptions and find the “perfect” diamond in a range of color that fits preference and budget; since diamonds of several adjacent color grades will be indistinguishable from one another.

Ray-Tracing Example

Light getting in and out of the diamond does not illuminate body color the way light trapped inside the diamond does (see diagram below).