Diamonds come in a variety of colors, from colorless to shades of yellow, brown, pink, blue, and green. The color of a diamond is determined by chemical impurities or structural defects in the crystal lattice. The most prized and valuable diamonds are those that are completely colorless and transparent. However, colored diamonds can also be quite beautiful and exotic.
The Meaning of Diamond Colors
The color grading system established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) classifies diamonds into 5 main color categories:
- D, E, F – Colorless
- G, H, I, J – Near colorless
- K, L, M – Faint yellow
- N to Z – Light yellow to yellow
- Fancy colors – pink, blue, green, etc.
The alphabetic scale starts with the letter D representing completely colorless diamonds. As letters progress, they indicate increasing presence of color. So an I color diamond will show a pale yellow tint, while a Z diamond will show obvious yellow.
Fancy color diamonds get their color from structural anomalies like nitrogen vacancies or plastic deformations of the crystal lattice. Pink, red, and brown colors come from crystal lattice defects. Blue, green, purple, orange, and yellow fancy colors originate from mineral impurities like boron or hydrogen entering the lattice.
Diamond Color in February
In the jewelry industry, certain colored gemstones are associated with calendar months as birthstones. For February, the traditional birthstone is amethyst – a variety of crystalline quartz that occurs in purple and violet shades.
So if we’re talking about February’s traditional birthstone, the color would be purple or violet. But diamonds themselves do not have a color specifically associated with February. Diamond color depends on the individual stone’s chemical characteristics and is not related to any particular month.
Most Popular Diamond Colors
When it comes to diamond popularity, here are some of the most sought-after diamond colors:
- Colorless – The most desired diamonds are those graded D to F color for their complete lack of color. They allow maximum light refraction and brilliance.
- Near colorless – Diamonds graded G to I also appear essentially colorless face-up and are more affordable than D-F color diamonds.
- Fancy yellow – Yellow is one of the most common fancy colors, ranging from light champagne to brilliant canary yellow in rare cases. Yellow diamonds represent joy and optimism.
- Fancy pink – Pink diamonds get their color from crystal lattice deformities and are among the rarest diamond colors. They symbolize romance and feminine energy.
- Fancy blue – Blue is another highly prized fancy color, originating from boron deposits in the crystal lattice. Blue diamonds are associated with mystery and intrigue.
Most Valuable Diamond Colors
Not all diamond colors have equal value on the market. Here is a comparison of diamond values based on color:
| Diamond Color | Value Comparison |
|---|---|
| Colorless (D-F) | Most valuable and desirable |
| Near colorless (G-I) | Less expensive than colorless |
| Faint yellow (K-M) | Significantly less valuable than colorless |
| Light yellow (N-R) | Lower value with obvious yellow tint |
| Fancy color | Rare colors like pink and blue are very valuable |
As the table shows, colorless diamonds command the highest prices per carat. Near colorless diamonds have slightly lower value. Once a yellow tint becomes visible in K+ diamonds, the price drops more significantly. But rare fancy colored diamonds can be worth even more than colorless depending on intensity of color.
Evaluating Diamond Color
Experts evaluate diamond color by viewing stones face-down against a white background under standardized lighting conditions. This eliminates the distracting effects of light reflection and diamond cut quality, allowing the true color to be observed.
Color grades are assigned by comparing to master stones of established color value. Diamond colors must be graded loose rather than mounted, since metal settings also impact color appearance.
Whilecolorless and near colorless diamonds are prized for classic diamondlooks, fancy color diamonds provide their own unique beauty. Coloreddiamonds require specialized expert grading to determine factors like intensity anddistribution of color.
Matching Diamond Color to Skin Tone
When choosing a diamond, skin tone can provide guidance for selecting acomplementary diamond color:
- Warm skin tones pair well with yellow, brown, or pinkdiamonds
- Cool skin tones complement colorless, blue or purple tinteddiamonds
- Neutral skin tones can work with both warm and cool diamondcolors
The best way to select diamond color is to view different options side by side in proper lighting conditions. The diamond should complement your skin tone without blending in too much.
Enhancing Diamond Color
While diamond color is permanent, there are some settings that can enhance or mask certain color tones:
- Prongs in white gold or platinum minimize yellow tints in K-Mdiamonds
- Rose gold accentuates the warm tones of brownish diamonds
- Pave and halo settings refract more light to downplay faint colors
- Yellow gold pairs well with yellow tinted diamonds
Proper jewelry craftsmanship ensures diamonds are set to maximize their beauty. Diamond cuts with more facets also increase sparkle and light performance to minimize the appearance of color.
Shopping for Colored Diamonds
Here are some tips for finding the right fancy color diamond:
- Work with an experienced jeweler who sources from ethical suppliers
- Review diamond certificates from independent labs like GIA
- Compare diamond color side-by-side in controlled lighting
- Look for secondary hues and color distribution
- Consider cut quality which impacts color appearance
- Set a realistic budget for rare fancy colors
Colored diamonds offer something unique and unconventional for jewelry. While February itself has no particular diamond color, the month is a perfect time to find the diamond hue that speaks to you!
Conclusion
In summary, diamond color is not intrinsically linked to any particular month. The color of a diamond depends on its chemical characteristics and impurities within the crystal structure. While amethyst purple is February’s traditional birthstone color, diamonds come in every hue – from prized colorless stones to exotic fancy yellow, pink, blue and more. When selecting a diamond, consider how color complements your style and skin tone. With an informed jeweler, you can find the perfect colored diamond to fit your individual taste and budget.
