Diamond Colours and Clarity

Diamond Colors and Clarity

Colour

The notion of the diamond is that this is a colorless gem, but actually diamond exists in myriad variations. A chemically-pure, perfect crystal of diamond is colourless therefore the closer a diamond approaches colorless, the rarer and more valuable it is. Diamond can be almost any colour which depends to the other elements "built in" it's crystalline structure. For example a little nitrogen may provoke the yellow to appear. Add boron instead and a blue diamond results. Colours from red to violet, real white, and black are also possible although strongly coloured attractive specimens are very rare. That's why they are hot, both in the marketplace and in science.

Colour is one is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a diamond because it is one of the first things most people notice-whether or not the diamond is "white". It is also one of the most significant factors affecting value. Today, the colour designation frequently used to grade an absolutely water clear, colourless diamond is the letter D. Diamonds with a strong pure colour are extremely rare and are called "fancles".The GIA classification progresses from D, the finest classification on this scale (colourless), through the alphabet Z, getting progressively yellow. Grades of D to H are preferred for jewellery.

D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S-Z Exceptional white Rare white White White Slightly Tinted White Tinted White Tinted Color Diamond colours can be artificially produced or modified. Some fancy coloured diamonds are produced by irradiation and subsequent heat treatment. Fancy coloured diamonds where the colour has been artificially produced are no less beautiful, but sell for more normal prices.

Clarity

A diamond's clarity is determined by the degree to which it is free from naturally occurring inclusions, often called "nature's fingerprints". Diamonds that are absolutely clean are very much in demand and are therefore the most expensive. But most of the diamonds have inclusions and scratches, trace minerals or other tiny characteristics that can detract from the pure beauty of the diamond. The GIA report summarises the number, location, size, and type of inclusions present in a diamond.

FL, IF Diamonds	Flawless, has no internal or external flaws
VVS1, VVS2 Diamonds	Very, very slightly included. Very difficult to see inclusions under 10x magnification. An excellent quality diamond.
VS1, VS2 Diamonds	Very slightly included. Unable to see inclusions with an unaided eye.
SI1, SI2 Diamonds	Slightly included. Inclusions easily visible with 10x magnification but not with unaided eye. A good value in a clarity grade.
I1, I2, I3 Diamonds	Included