Be Inspired
Diamond Education
Finance
This is one element of what is known as the 4Cs which the GIA uses when assessing diamonds. The other three are: diamond cut, carat weight and clarity. You can find out more about each simply by clicking on the appropriate word above. You’ll then discover why it’s so crucial that your engagement ring diamonds should be fully GIA Certified.
There is a simple starting point for the appreciation of the colour of any diamond. It’s this: the word colour actually refers to the whiteness of the diamond. This means the less colour, the higher the grade. When the GIA introduced the accepted International Diamond Grading System, this included a detailed diamond colour scale and chart, corresponding to the letters of the alphabet, providing 23 different diamond colour grading points, from D right through to Z.
Importantly, we stock only the highest quality of white diamonds, all in the D to H range. Many other companies offer lower quality, but with our choices, you are simply choosing how white is white, in terms of what you want your diamond to be! These subtle differences do greatly affect both the quality and price.
At the starting end of the scale, at D, the diamond would be assessed as colourless. As you progress through the alphabet, the scale changes to indicate a range of further categories: near colourless, faint, very light, and, by the time you reach Z, light yellow or brown. When a diamond is tested in a GIA laboratory, this is against a set of control round diamonds, known as master stones, showing all the different colour possibilities. Any diamonds which might display what could be called fancier colours are tested on a separate grading system.
If you have any further questions about our diamonds, please call our Kush Diamonds specialists on 03 9602 3337 and we’ll answer everything you want to know.
As mentioned above, where there are only these subtle differences between one stone and the next, in terms of the diamond’s colour, or lack of it, then this can make a clear difference in the wholesale cost of the stone, even when bought in that market by our highly experienced negotiators here at Kush Diamonds! At least, through dealing direct, we do avoid the cost of any middlemen. Our aim is always to find the best diamond colour for any individual piece.
Any diamond consists of many tiny reflective surfaces, and this means the colour will also be reflective of the surroundings where it appears. This includes the setting that is used to handcraft your chosen engagement ring. It’s also true that the colour is affected by the clothes of the person wearing them and the light conditions, natural or artificial, in which it’s viewed.
This is why it’s a natural reaction, when showing the engagement ring to her friends, your fiance will often hold it up in a way that hopes to deliver the maximum light performance effect and reflect it in the best way possible.
When you choose a specific diamond, it will then be set into the ring. It is worth pointing out, in terms of cost, the difference of one or two grading points, when assessed using sophisticated equipment, in the diamond itself. Given that all of our diamonds and handcrafted rings are of premium quality, as we only stock the best of the best, any subtle differences means that any choice you make will still be from the upper range of stones.
This diamond setting will also affect how the colour appears, platinum and other white metals can accentuate the appearance of diamonds near the D end of the scale. This contrast increases across the middle range of assessment scales.
We know that some other companies might not mention these areas, but we are always aware that your budget is an important consideration. However, it is true that a very slight difference in colour, when comparing two diamonds that may appear identical to the naked eye, can have a significant effect on the price of the stone. This is why all our diamonds are GIA certified, allowing us to demonstrate to you the exact colour grade any stone has been assessed as being in. This helps you buy with confidence, a vital element of our Kush Diamonds service ethos.
A final point of information: many lower-quality diamonds emit fluorescence, which shows when exposed to UV radiation, found in sunlight, and some shop lighting, among other places. This visible light is present in about one-third of gem diamonds. If such light is very strong, it can make a stone appear cloudy. Here at Kush Diamonds, we only stock fluorescent-free diamonds, and you’ll find this specified in the GIA certificate. This is one factor that significantly affects both the look and the price of a diamond, and is worth remembering when considering your options.
Want to learn more before you dive headfirst into the world of engagement rings? Let us share with you some exciting trends and quick guides to get you on the right path to finding the perfect diamond ring for your partner.
