Bob Richards Jewelers
7730 Wolf River Blvd.
Suite 103
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 751-8052           Fax (901) 751-8062
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Diamond Color
Diamonds are graded by color, starting at D and continuing alphabetically to Z. The further down the alphabet, the more yellow or brown tones become apparent. As these tones become more and more noticable, the rarity and cost decreases. Truly colorless stones, graded D, are extremely rare and very valuable.

This is an important factor if you are considering mounting the stone in white gold or platinum. A diamond's appearance can change depending on how it is mounted. This is referred to as how a diamond will "face up". Typically, a diamond of I color or above is necessary to avoid noticeable color if it will be mounted in white gold or platinum.

Colorless: Perfect or almost perfect color.

Near colorless: Good to very good color.

Faint yellow: Fair "face up" depending on how mounted.

Very light yellow: Not typically sought after.

Light yellow: Not typically sought after.

The easiest way to examine color is a side-by-side comparison, usually in a table down position (upside down) on a white background.

Diamonds obtain color depending on the surrounding elements during their natural formation. The most common element is Nitrogen, which causes the yellow tint most commonly found.

Not all diamonds with a strong presence of color are undesirable. Some diamonds come out of the ground in natural vivid "fancy" colors, including red, orange, blue, pink, green, and bright yellow. The most rare is red, but all are highly prized and extremely rare.

"Fancy" colors can also be accomplished by irradiating the diamond. These diamonds are not as rare nor as valuable. Be aware of this fact if you are considering a "fancy" colored diamond.
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