Special Four Cs of Color Diamonds
Like other diamonds, the price of a color diamond depends in part on the Four Cs: color, cut, clarity and carat weight, but the factors used to judge those qualities differ somewhat from the Four Cs of colorless diamonds.
How are diamond colors graded?
AMGAD: Fancy color diamonds are graded in two ways. The first factor considered is the stone's basic hue, such as pink, yellow, blue, green, etc. The second is the diamond's intensity. Both color characteristics form the basis for determining a fancy colored diamond's worth.Usually, the more intense the color, the rarer and more expensive the diamond will be. For example, a fancy light pink diamond costs less than a fancy vivid pink diamond of equal size, shape and clarity.
Is there a scale of diamond color saturation that we can refer to?
AMGAD: The GIA uses nine categories to grade color diamonds.
- Faint
- Very Light
- Light
- Fancy Light
- Fancy
- Fancy Dark
- Fancy Intense
- Fancy Deep
- Fancy Vivid
What about color undertones? How do they fit in to the diamond's worth?
AMGAD: A secondary undertone that enhances the color of a diamond is a plus. A secondary that detracts from the color is a negative. For instance:
- a purplish pink color diamond can be worth more than a pink diamond, depending on the amount and intensity of purple
- a brownish tint in a pink diamond usually decreases its value, and makes it a more affordable gemstone
