How to Choose a Diamond Based on Its Color 

All opinions are mine and mine alone.

How to Choose a Diamond Based on Its Color

Due to the popularity of gems, everyone knows that the color palette of diamonds is a rather impressive one. But do you know what determines the variations and how they influence a rock’s value on the market? Here is everything that you need to know about their different hues to guide your decision. 

About Diamond Color 

The Gemological Institute of America grades diamond colors on a scale from D to Z, with the former representing a purely colorless stone and the latter a delightful canary yellow one. Anything in between ranges from near colorless and faint all the way to light yellow. In a way, the system isn’t based on color per se, but rather its absence. 

Although these variations are imperceptible to the naked and untrained eye, they make a huge difference when it comes to the value of the precious stone. Perfectly clear ones that resemble a drop of pure water in clarity are also the most structurally sound, and therefore will cost way more than those with a muddier tint to them.  

At this point, it’s more than obvious that the GIA scale is a complex one. And yet, it only covers diamonds that range from white to yellow. But the world of jewelry has a lot more to offer than that. According to The Diamond Authority, colors way more intense than a Z exist, and they include blues, pinks, and even bright greens or fiery reds.  

These are known as fancy color diamonds, and their grading is not established in the same way. Instead of being on the classic GIA scale, fancy color diamonds are assessed using systems employed for the analysis of strongly chromatic gems such as emeralds, sapphires or rubies. Therefore, their marks will fluctuate. 

For example, different hues of blue diamonds won’t be labeled using a letter from D to Z, but rather one of the nine denominations of ‘faint’, ‘very light’, ‘light’, ‘fancy light’, ‘fancy’, ‘fancy dark’, ‘fancy intense’, ‘fancy deep’, and ‘fancy vivid’. A faint blue diamond will be of a paler coloring, while a fancy vivid one may resemble a true sapphire.  

While the Gemological Institute of America has established that the less color a diamond has, the more valuable it is, some of the world’s most famous diamonds are colored. In fact, the number one most popular certainly has to be the Hope Diamond, and its unique blue hue is exactly what brought it this reputation. 

Furthermore, the very same scale attests that the yellower a stone is, the cheaper it will sell for. However, another renowned rock is the Tiffany Yellow Diamond, purchased by the King of Diamonds Charles Tiffany himself. The jewel has an immense value, and it has been famously worn by Audrey Hepburn in the promotional images for the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s.   

Most Sought-After Hues 

Just like flattering eye makeup, choosing the right jewelry to accessorize your outfits with is essential in setting the tone for your entire look. And when it comes to diamond, there’s nothing more descriptive than its color. Here are the three of the most popular hues that you may want to consider for your next purchase.  

Yellow 

As previously mentioned, yellow diamonds rank low on the GIA scale. Nevertheless, their crisp gold hue has won the hearts of many elegant ladies and brides to be. Depending on how bright you want the color to be, you can choose one that is a pale yellow, or a deep and lavish gold stone to compliment your shimmering personality.  

Known as canary diamonds, they have risen to fame in recent years in spite of their impurity rate. And thanks to famous pieces such as the Tiffany Yellow Diamond, they can be a timeless addition to any collection. After all, having breakfast at Tiffany’s will never go out of style, and neither will the iconic looks the very same film created.  

Blue 

While not all blue diamonds are the Hope Diamond, you can still find some excellent stones on the market to fit just about any budget. Of course, this implies that you have a generous one, to begin with, as diamonds are not known for their affordability. As for the actual color spectrum, the possibilities are endless. 

If you prefer toned-down hues, a misty pale blue rock will surely complete any outfit. But if you’re one for vivid and daring tones, you can go as deep as steel blue diamond that is beautifully encrusted on its band. Regardless of what your choice is, blue diamonds are some of the rarest ones to come by, which is what makes them so desirable in the first place.  

Pink  

Perhaps the rarest variety on this list, pink diamonds are the ideal accessory for the elegant and feminine woman that still wants to spice up her accessorizing a little. The vast majority of them are mined exclusively in the Argyle Diamond Mine of Australia, and their colors range from the palest shades of pastel pink to rich and vivid fuchsias.  

These romantic tints don’t come cheap either. In fact, the deeper the color, the more you should expect to pay for the rock. But if it’s something that suits your style and aesthetic sensibilities, and you also have the budget for such an extravagant purchase, then you should go for it without any shred of doubt.  

Final Thoughts 

The most common color assessment scale for diamonds is that offered by the Gemological Institute of America. Nevertheless, anything brighter than a yellow falls is outside the spectrum and is analyzed differently. For this reason, prices will vary, and some hues might be harder to come across. For this reason, you should guide your purchases wisely.