Color Diamond

By: Woro Swasti

color diamonds

Color diamond is one of the 4 C’s of diamonds, that is four important characteristics for determining diamond’s value. The remaining three are cut, clarity, and carat weight.

Many people, especially gem collectors, always search for color diamond. These diamonds get their coloring from mineral impurities in the crystal structure.

It is quite difficult to determine diamond color. To the naked eye, so many diamonds look colorless. To determine color diamond, we can use a scale from The Gemological Institute of America. This scale goes from D – Z.

D – F colored diamond is considered colorless, this is the best of the diamonds. G – J color diamonds have color that is slightly detectable. K – R have color that can be seen with naked eye. S – Z are considered as light yellow colored diamonds.

Fancy Color Diamond

There are diamonds that have more color than the D – Z scale described above. These diamonds are called fancy color diamonds, which have any color, such as red, pink, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, white, black, and gray.

Natural color diamonds are so rare and expensive. This is the reason why diamond treatments are common thing. Gemologists create fancy color diamond, by altering less desirable diamond into colored diamond. They uses irradiation and high heat treatment which turn pale yellow diamond into beautiful color diamond.

When you find fancy color diamond which is not quite expensive, always assume that the color diamond has been treated to enhance its color. You should always ask for the diamond’s certificate.

Synthetic color diamond is another option for you if you choose vibrant diamonds. This color diamond is genuine, but it is created in a laboratory.