When was the last time you shopped for a diamond? Or, is this your first time considering buying a diamond? Choosing and buying a diamond can be a simple and fun process. You must take into consideration, first, your budget.
Your budget, or how much you are willing to spend on something (or can afford to spend regarding your finances), will influence the type of diamond you can get. Starting with the lower-cost options, which are lab-grown diamonds, you can save up to 30% compared to a mined diamond; if you are set on buying a natural, earth-mined diamond, then you need to consider the purpose of your purchase. Is it for an engagement? Is it for everyday wear? Is it an upgrade?
Once you have defined the budget and purpose of your diamond purchase, it is time to find the perfect diamond for you. Diamonds have 4 general characteristics that are accepted worldwide as a standard for shopping. Thanks to GIA founder Robert M. Shipley, his successor, Richard T. Liddicoat, and his team, we can categorize a diamond by color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Using this guide as reference you will save time and money (time is money after all) when shopping for your perfect diamond.
Color
The GIA color scale D-Z is accepted internationally and is what we will use as reference as well when shopping for a diamond. D being a completely colorless diamond and Z being a light-yellow diamond. As you can see, the more color a diamond has, the lower its letter on the scale, so the color scale measures the absence of color in a diamond. When shopping for a diamond, always ask for a way to check the color; either with a certificate by a reputable laboratory, or with a color scale to compare. An easy way to compare different diamonds’ colors is by placing them on a white sheet of paper, the color contrast shows instantly, and you can compare them easily.
D E F – Colorless
A diamond is considered colorless if it falls under any of these letters. This color is perfect for diamonds set on white gold or platinum settings. This range is on the more expensive side due to the rarity of diamonds in this range; however, if you are buying for looks, even if your setting is white gold or platinum, you might want to consider the next range.
G H I J – Near colorless
A diamond under these letters is labeled near colorless, with J being the one closest to faint yellow. A personal recommendation for saving money is to use G and H for white gold and platinum settings, the difference in color between these near colorless and colorless is not very noticeable but the difference in price is. If you are looking for a diamond set in yellow or rose gold, I recommend I and J colors, since the color of the setting will be reflected by the diamond and thus change the overall appearance. Choosing I or J for a white gold or platinum setting will make the diamond’s color show. Always compare colors when shopping for diamonds to find the exact look you want.
K L M – Faint Yellow
From this color on, you will see a faint yellow color in the diamond. Preferably, save this color for yellow or rose gold settings and avoid white gold or platinum unless you want the diamond to show its color (a matter of preference, but not the norm). Diamonds with faint yellow color can look great on yellow gold settings, and they cost much less than those in the colorless range. I strongly suggest comparing, specially a K colored diamond in a yellow gold setting, against a near colorless; if you cannot spot the difference with the naked eye, then go for the least expensive option.
N O P Q R – Very Light Yellow
Diamonds in this range cannot “hide” their color, not even in yellow gold settings. These diamonds are not exceedingly popular, and, in my experience, do not sell often. The advantage to this range is its lower price point, and, for some people, its light-yellow color. Some jewelers use these colors, Q – Z specifically, mounted in yellow gold and sometimes with a yellow sapphire halo. This is done to give the diamond the appearance of a Fancy Yellow color, or Canary as some like to call them. They are not as yellow (nor as rare) as their Fancy colored counterparts, but with the right setting they might give the impression of one.
S T U V W X Y Z – Light Yellow
People who buy diamonds in this range do it mainly for the color. Whether they want the looks of a canary diamond for much less money (trust me, much less), or they simply like the color saturation of a light yellow diamond and want to show it off in a white gold or platinum setting. Be careful when shopping for diamonds; I have talked with customers who claim their diamond is Fancy Light colored, when in reality it is a Light Yellow, which costs much less, but under the right setting, it can pass as one. The only way to tell for sure is to see the diamond’s certificate by a reputable lab. Always ask the person in charge whether the diamond is a light yellow or a fancy yellow, they must tell you and show you.
From this point on, I must mention there are diamonds with more color saturation, such as Fancy yellow diamonds, and diamonds with other colors as well. Only 1 out of 10,000 carats account for fancy colored diamonds; therefore, these diamonds are more expensive than most on the D-Z scale. There are, of course, color enhanced diamonds, which cost much less than their fancy colored counterparts. Stay tuned for the next article talking about colored diamonds!
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