Everyone is familiar with the colorless diamonds that we see everyday in
wedding, and anniversary rings. They are usually full of fire, brilliance and
sparkle as the light hits the diamond at different angles, but did you know
there are many other colors that diamonds can come in. Some of these are natural
and usually very expensive, others have been treated to bring out spectacular
colors from Blues to Greens to Pinks, Reds, Yellows, and Purple.
The diamonds that have colors that fall outside of the grading standard D-Z
color range are called Fancy Colored Diamonds. Let us look at the D-Z color
range, these are graded through the pavilion (face down) as this is a
universally accepted grading system that measures the absence of color (yellow)
in a diamond.
D-F____________Colorless
G-J____________Near Colorless
K-M____________Faint Yellow Color
N-R____________Very Light Yellow Color
S-Z____________Light Yellow Color
The most prized and most valuable are the Colorless (D-F), with most commercial
diamonds that you will find in jewelry stores fall into the G-H-I range. When
you look at diamonds in this range, face up; it will look colorless to you.
Colored diamonds are now a very important part of the Jewellery business as they
offer something different, but are still the hardest gemstone known to man and
therefore wear exceptionally well. There are both natural and color enhanced
(treated) diamonds that you will see in jewellery. Natural Colored diamonds
other than Brown, Black or Grey are rare and usually are very expensive with a
Fancy Vivid Pink being the most valuable. Colored diamonds are graded face up
using Hue, Tone, Saturation and Depth of Color and grading ranges from Faint to
Fancy Deep.
One of the most famous Natural Colored Diamonds is the "The Hope", a
Fancy Deep greyish Blue that weighs in at 45.52 carats. The diamond has a long
history from the 17th century and has been owned by many famous people including
Louise XIV, Henry Philip Hope, Evalyn Walsh McLean and Harry Winston who in 1958
donated it to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. where is on public
display today.
For most of us the cost of Natural Colored Diamonds can be prohibitive, however,
we can still purchase treated diamonds that show stunning colors. The most
common and stable of these treatments today is irradiation, as it penetrates the
diamond and is usually permanent. The only caution is to make sure that the
goldsmith that does any repairs on the ring knows the diamond is treated, as
heat from a soldering torch can impact the color. Irradiation is safe, as
today’s process makes sure there is no residual radiation left in the diamond.
This process was first used back in 1904 and today enhanced diamonds are a cost
effect way to get the beautiful colors in diamonds, without buying natural
colored diamonds.
You will see today many colored diamonds offered in jewellers, and it is
incumbent upon the seller to inform his customer that he is purchasing enhanced
diamonds. You will find colors like, blue, green, purple, pink, yellows, browns,
and reds all waiting for you to add them to your jewellery collection.
Maybe, your next ring or pair of earrings will be Ocean Blue Diamonds, and you
will be the envy of all your friends.
Please visit us at
Jewels by Truros
Derek Parnell is a Graduate Gemologist (GIA) and can be contacted at
Jewels
by Truros a division of Truros Corporation.
