Things You Need to Know About Diamond Colours
If you’re shopping for a diamond ring, you may be wondering how the color of a diamond affects its price and appearance.
Despite its seemingly small role, colour is an important part of diamond grading. Here are some tips to help you make the right decision when purchasing a diamond ring.
Colour Is One Of The Four C’s Of Diamond Grading
Diamond colour is a critical characteristic to be aware of. Although the face-up appearance is not directly comparable to the ‘body’ colour of the stone, it’s still important to know the exact colour of the diamond if you’re going to buy one. The most effective way to determine the diamond’s colour is to look at it unmounted or sideways against a white background. A daylight fluorescent bulb is an ideal light source to use for this purpose.
The absence of colour is based on the diamond’s chemical makeup. A diamond with no hue is considered chemically pure. Diamonds with a high colourlessness score are more expensive, but near-colourless diamonds are also popular. While the differences in colour are subtle, it’s still important to seek professional advice when buying a diamond.
It Depends On A Lot Of Factors
A diamond’s colour is one of the key factors that affects its price. A diamond’s colour is affected by many factors, including its size and cut – the round brilliant cut engagement rings Sydney jewellers craft as the cut makes colours appear better than other cuts. The ring setting can also influence its appearance. If the metal used is of the same tone as the diamond’s colour, it will help neutralise the colour.
The vast majority of diamonds are colourless, although some have a tinge of colour. Diamonds with more colour are considered fancy colours. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) uses a colour grading system to determine diamonds’ value. Diamonds with no colour or a light tint are graded as ‘D,’ while those with a little colour are graded as ‘Faint’ or ‘very light.’
In the case of diamonds with tints in their surface, lower colour grades are preferable. Smaller diamonds tend to hide their colour better than large stones. Fancy cut diamonds also tend to show their colour more clearly. Furthermore, the setting itself affects the perception of the diamond’s colour. For instance, a yellow or rose gold setting will make a diamond look slightly whiter. If you live near the area, you may want to consult a reputable Parramatta custom engagement rings designer to learn more and be able to come up with the best precious stone and metal combination for you.
It Affects Appearance
Fluorescence is one of the factors that can affect a diamond’s colour. It can make a stone appear whiter and brighter, or make it appear hazy. Fluorescence affects fewer than 10% of diamonds, but it can still affect the diamond’s appearance.
Diamonds with a lower colour grade are usually less desirable than those with a higher colour grade. Lower colour grades add warmth to a stone, while higher grades give it a more pristine appearance. Choosing a colour grade is a personal choice. If the colour of the diamond is not important to you, then you should not pay a premium for a high-colour stone.
The appearance of a diamond is a reflection of its colour and the metal it’s set in. For example, a ring made of white gold will look whiter than a ring made of platinum.
It Affects Clarity
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Diamond clarity is a key factor in determining the value of a diamond. The clarity grade is affected by a number of factors, and the relative importance of each differs between diamonds. For example, inclusions near the table have a smaller impact on the clarity grade than those located further off.
Inclusions are solid objects that are trapped inside the diamond crystal during its formation. These can be foreign materials or other diamond crystals. They can cause structural imperfections and a cloudy or whitish appearance. The size, colour, and nature of the inclusions all affect the clarity grade. The clarity grade is determined by how noticeable the inclusions are under ten times magnification, a standard used in the gem industry.
While colour is not as important as clarity, it is still a consideration for a prospective buyer. A diamond with too much tint will appear yellowish and less brilliant.