Diamond Colour
Diamonds receive a GIA grade from D to Z, with D resembling the most colourless diamond, and Z containing yellow or brown hints. Grades given to diamonds usually reflect on the cost of the diamond.
The most important aspect when it comes to the colour of a diamond is the appearance of colourlessness in relation to its setting. It is also important to ensure that the diamond is free of any tinting that could interfere with white and coloured light reflections. The Colour K GIA grade represents a distraction from the sparkle of the diamond, where the Colour I GIA grade is more radiant.
The Sparkle or Brilliance of the diamond is created from the way of the cut of the diamond, which is why it is essential to purchasing a diamond that does not distract from this principal characteristic.
Colourless D-F
If your budget stretches to the value of the colourless range, diamonds of this supreme grading are an amazing choice. These rare stones refract light optimally since they display no obvious tinges of colour at all.
Diamonds rated “D” present basically no colour, while colour “E-F” follows closely behind, also revealing almost a complete lack of colour whatsoever.
The colour “D” is highly popular, and South Africa is, fortunately, a renowned stockist of this desirable grade.
Near Colourless G-J
Near-colourless diamonds display some colour, which is only visible when the diamond is viewed face-down and will be imperceptible to an untrained eye. This means that stones rated in the near-colourless range offer excellent value-for-money as they are priced lower than their rarer colourless counterparts. Higher-rated near-colourless grades like “H” may suit white gold or platinum ring settings, while diamonds graded “I” or “J” will be wisely paired with yellow-gold jewellery metals. A near-colourless diamond is also a worthy contender if you’re looking to focus your budget spend on carat size.
Faint K-M
Diamonds in the “faint colour” category show off some traces of hues when viewed face-up, but some buyers won’t mind the warmer tones of these well-priced diamonds, depending on taste and budget. They best suited to rose gold or yellow gold.
Colour VS Investment
Natural diamonds are formed when trace elements interact with atoms of carbon, and it’s the chemical elements like sulphur, nitrogen and boron that result in colours like yellow, green and blue. These crystallographic defects, as they are called, are what results in colouration, and they affect the absorption of light in different ways. Nitrogen is the most common impurity element found in diamonds, and the presence of this material causes the absorption of blue hues, resulting in the proliferation of yellow diamonds on the market.
When white light streams through a diamond, the transmission of light may be absorbed by its molecules, while some wavelengths are reflected off the stone and find their way to the onlooker’s eye. This selective absorption is what affects the colour perceived in the diamond. So if hardly any colour is absorbed by the stone, it will appear colourless, whereas if the whole spectrum of colours is absorbed, it will appear black.
When it comes to colour, fluorescence is also a consideration. This denotes the coloured glow that diamonds emit when viewed beneath an ultraviolet light. Fluorescence is seen as a defect and may result in less value, but it is imperceptible to the untrained eye and without the proper equipment.
Diamond Colour and Metal Colour
Another important factor to consider is your choice of jewellery setting, which can affect the appearance of colour in the diamond. For instance, grades like “J” and “K” should always be set in yellow gold, and a near-colourless diamond-like “I” also sparkles beautifully in yellow gold or rose gold, as these warmer-toned metals make the stone appear whiter and brighter.
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