COLOR

As mentioned earlier, the color scale for white diamonds is measured from D-Z. The color of diamonds can be divided into five groups: colorless, near colorless, faint yellow, very light yellow, and light yellow.

D-E-F Colorless - This color group is the area where diamonds are the whitest. These are the most common diamonds found as well as the most valuable on the color scale. The whiter the diamond is, the more it will cost. D and E show almost no color. F starts to show a small shade of color.

G-H-I Near Colorless - This group continues where F left off. Each of these diamonds contain a slight shade of yellow. However, the color is hard to notice to the untrained eye and looks normal when mounted.

J-K-L-M Faint Yellow - In this color group, the color becomes more visible. Small shades of yellow are visible on the top and sides of the stone.

N-O-P-Q-R Very Light Yellow - The diamonds in this color group have a heavier shade of yellow present in them. These stones are considerably lower in value than colorless stones. As a result, certificates aren’t usually issued with this diamond group, mainly because of the decrease in value.

S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z Light Yellow Diamonds - The diamonds in this group show the heaviest shade of yellow compared to the other groups on the color scale. Prices for S-W are relatively low like the Very Light Yellow group. However, the diamonds found in the X-Y-Z range have a strong yellow color thus making them rare and high in value. Some stones from the X-Y-Z range can cost just as much or even more than diamonds classified in the D range.

 

FLUORESCENCE

Fluorescence causes a diamond to glow under ultra violet light. The colors emitted are mainly blue in nature, although other colors can be visible under UV light. 50% of diamonds have fluorescence. This feature causes diamonds to look cloudy and opaque. The more fluorescence a diamond has, the lesser the value.

 

CLARITY SCALE

The purer a diamond, the greater it is in value. The Gemological Institute of America has defined a scale in order to determine clarity.

Internally Flawless and Flawless - This group is graded the highest on the clarity scale. Diamonds in this group will be without inclusions in 10x magnification. Some inclusions on the surface is allowed, thus making the diamond internally flawless. These diamonds are considered extremely rare.

Very Very Slightly Included - This group is divided into two grades, VVS1 and VVS2, and contains diamonds with very small inclusions that are very difficult for a trained gemologist to notice under 10x magnification.

Very Slight Included - This group is divided into two grades, VS1 and VS2. The diamonds in this group are a bit easier to detect than VVS1 and VVS2. However, the inclusions are still difficult to find under 10x magnification.

Slightly Included - This group is divided into two grades, SI1 and SI2. These inclusions are a little bit easier to detect under 10x magnification. Some spots become more noticeable under magnification.

Included - This group is divided into three grades, I1, I2, and I3. The diamonds in this group contain inclusions that can be seen under 10x magnification as well as with the naked eye. This group of diamonds is considered the lowest grade of diamonds available. This is the only grade where the inclusions are visible to both the human eye and under 10x magnification.

 

SHAPE

Diamonds can be cut into a variety of shapes. However, the shape of a diamond is different than the cut of a diamond. The cut of a diamond refers to how well the diamond was cut while the shape of a diamond refers to the shape the diamond was cut into. A diamond can be cut into many shapes; these are just a few of the most common shapes.

Round Brilliant - The round brilliant is one of the most popular diamond shapes available. The round shape allows for maximum shine and brilliance at every viewable angle.

Oval - The oval diamond is popular among women with shorter hands and smaller fingers due to its ability to create an illusion that compliments the hand. The oval shape is also popular for three stone anniversary rings.

Princess - The princess diamond is a square shaped diamond that is almost as reflective as the round brilliant shape. The princess is the most popular square shaped diamond due to its reflective properties and its ability to compliment hands with long fingers.

Emerald - The emerald diamond is a rectangular shaped diamond with cut corners that conveys a sense of traditional elegance. Inclusions and color are more noticeable in the emerald shape.