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You likely have heard about the four Cs of diamonds, which are clarity, cut, color and carat weight. In this post, we’re going to take a look at the process of measuring a diamond’s color. There is a lot more to it than simply looking at a diamond and stating the color you observe.
Colored diamonds are very beautiful and oftentimes very expensive, but did you know there is actually a color grading scale for diamonds? Since the early days of the diamond trade, these valuable stones have been examined by experts to determine their color and value, which often go hand in hand.
Regular diamonds are graded on a scale from D to Z. By a “regular” diamond, we refer to diamonds that are colorless, yellow or brown, the most common diamond colors. You may have encountered the regular scale before, perhaps while shopping for an engagement ring or while having a loose diamond appraised.
Regular Diamond Color Grading Scale
Fancy Diamonds
Any colors other than yellow and brown are considered to be “fancy” diamonds whose colors are more intense than a “Z” rating on the regular scale. Many of the world’s most valuable diamonds are fancy-colored, which includes colors such as blue or pink. For example, the famous Hope Diamond has a dark grayish-blue color. In reality, a perfect diamond would be perfectly transparent and have no color or hue at all, but that is very, very rarely the case, so vibrant colored diamonds are often considered to be the most valuable, for example:
Diamond Buyers and Sellers in Seattle
Bellevue Rare Coins buys and sells loose diamonds, diamond rings, diamond earrings, bracelets and more. We offer free evaluations with no pressure to sell. Our experienced professionals are certified and accredited to accurately price diamonds and other fine jewelry and are happy to address any concerns you may have.
Contact us today to learn more or stop into any of our four Seattle area locations.
