What is the best diamond color?

From this article you will learn what systems exist for classifying diamonds by color and what fancy colors are. And the most attentive ones will guess what color-price ratio is optimal for most buyers.

Classification of diamonds by color

A diamond will inherit its color from the diamond from which it was cut. Since there is much less colorless rough diamonds in nature, colorless diamonds are rarer and have greater value on the market. We will look at the two most common diamond color scales used in Russia. This is the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) scale and the Russian scale according to GOST R 52913-2008 “Diamonds. Classification. Technical requirements”. On the one hand, all jewelry sold in Russia must have a tag with the characteristics of diamonds indicated on it, assessed according to GOST. On the other hand, even on the Russian market there are more and more international certificates that need to be able to be compared with the Russian scale.

GIA Diamond Color Scale

So, the GIA scale is a letter scale, in which the color “D” is the best. For ease of perception of information, I will provide the following table.

Russian diamond color scale

The Russian diamond color scale is approved by GOST R 52913-2008. The groups of colors in it are indicated by numbers, where the best color is “1”. Please note that the Kr-17 (round with 17 facets) and Kr-57 (round with 57 facets, the most common cut shape among round diamonds) have different gradations. There are also different gradations for different weight groups. Small diamonds up to 0,29 carats have fewer color groups than medium (0,30-0,99 carats) and large (from 1,00 carats). Such features of color assessment are a source of both abuse on the part of sellers and sincere misconceptions of jewelry industry specialists and inexperienced buyers. For example, red discount jewelry often uses partially cut diamonds designated Kr-17. Color scale for Kr-17 Color scale for Kr-57 up to 0,29 carats Color scale for Kr-57 from 0,30 carats But it would be wrong to leave you alone with these formal tables, so I, based on my many years of experience in selling diamonds to both jewelers and retail buyers, simplified the information and made my table for the common man. I based it on the Russian classification. I combined the color groups according to the criterion of visual identity for the average buyer without the skills to evaluate precious stones.

Subjectivity of color assessment

Evaluation of diamonds is a rather subjective thing, and the amount of subjectivity is especially high when evaluating by color. It is quite normal that different appraisers may assign different related characteristics. Adjacent are adjacent characteristics, for example “4” and “5”. Moreover, different certification centers may assign different related groups. That is why, when valuing large stones, they resort to commission valuation. Those. Several experts evaluate the color and assign a final color rating to the diamond using a simple majority method. It is also important to note that within one group, for example in the 4th, there may be lighter stones close to the 3rd and more yellow or brown stones close to the 5th and 6th, respectively. Those. any group of color is an interval, a segment, not a point.

How to compare a color according to GIA with a color according to GOST

Often there is a need to evaluate a stone using two rating systems at once. You need to understand that the scales cannot be compared in any unambiguous and definitive way, so any comparison is quite conditional. I also heard the opinion of specialists who have been working with GIA certificates for a long time that the GIA scale has moved towards weakening the requirements over the past 10-15 years. However, I would recommend using the following conversion table.

How to determine the color of a diamond in a product

Quite often it is necessary to determine the color of a diamond set in a finished piece of jewelry. If the bartack is open, i.e. allows you to view the stone from the side, this significantly increases the accuracy of the assessment. But in any case, such an assessment cannot be considered reliable. Certification centers either refuse to indicate the exact characteristics of the color, or indicate several adjacent groups of colors.

Colored diamonds

Colored diamonds stand apart; they are also called fancy color diamonds. At some point, the color of a diamond stops being just yellow or brown, but becomes fancy yellow or cognac. At the same time, the cost of such a stone increases several times. A rare, beautiful fancy color may be worth more than a colorless diamond, all other characteristics being equal. Fantasy color can be yellow, orange, brown, purple, green, pink, red, blue, indigo, black, milky white. In this case, there are many degrees of color saturation. We will get to know fantasy flowers in more detail in a separate article. Determining the color of a diamond is the most pressing issue, which always gives rise to fierce debate. Why is that? Let’s find out! There are several gemological systems, each of which describes the color of a diamond in its own way: Photos of diamond color standards according to GIA (from D to M) The international GIA system describes the highest color with the Latin letter D, and then descending colors are E, F, G, H, I, J, K, etc. Everything is simple here: DEF is the highest group of colors, they are called “colorless”. They differ from each other only in a slight tone, which can be seen by a specialist by turning the diamond upside down. This group belongs to very rare and investment diamonds. These diamonds are only available for custom made jewelry. GH diamonds are called “near colorless” because they have a slight yellowish tint that can be seen when comparing D and H color diamonds. If there is nothing to compare it to, then a non-specialist will not notice any tint. For this reason, G and H color diamonds are the most sought after for jewelry making, because. D colors look no less impressive, and are several times cheaper. The Russian system inherited the Soviet GOST R-52913, where the highest color of a diamond is indicated by the number 1, followed by colors 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. After color 6, complex color ranges begin: 6.1, 7, 8.1-8.5, 9.1-9.4 , which contain up to 16 shades according to GIA. To understand them, you will need special education. In addition, a 1-carat diamond and a 0.29-carat diamond have different color grading rules, which complicates an already difficult situation even more. How to compare the international GIA and the Russian diamond color description system? In itself, comparing Russian and international color determination systems is incorrect. From a logical point of view, numbers and letters are different categories that cannot be compared. We can only say that the Russian system for describing the color of a diamond is more scientific and complex; using it, you need to have special knowledge that only rare specialists have. The GIA system is international, unambiguous, simple. It has strict logic and does not allow ambiguous interpretations. That is why it is trusted all over the world and used both in conservative Europe and in high-tech Japan. It is important to know: The shade of fancy shaped diamonds will be more noticeable compared to a round diamond. The larger the diamond, the more visible its shade will be. To accurately evaluate a diamond, be sure to find out its color using the GIA international scale.

• About diamonds
  • Diamond Shape
  • Diamond color
  • Diamond fluorescence
  • Diamond cut
  • Diamond Certificate
  • Diamond Weight and Size Chart
  • Diamond size
  • Diamond clarity
  • Diamond fluorescence
  • Classification and characteristics of diamonds
  • The largest and most expensive diamonds in the world
  • Diamond deposits
  • Carat
  • Diamond price
  • Diamond Certificate
  • Russian diamond grading system
  • Diamond color
  • Cleanliness
  • Cutting
  • Perfect diamond cut
  • Symmetry
  • Diamond polishing
  • Hearts and arrows
  • Glitter of a diamond
  • Diamond surface defects
  • Diamond culet
  • Dark inclusions
  • Types of Diamonds
  • Track your order
  • Check Certificate
  • Official Partners
  • Diamond on a Budget
  • “Brilliant24” guarantees
  • How does Brilliant24 work?
  • Which diamond should you buy?
  • How are diamond prices calculated?
  • Investment Diamonds
  • Diamond in 24 hours
  • Terms of payment and return of goods