Diamond Engagement Rings – How Natural Diamond Colours are Determined
Diamond engagement rings are women’s best pals. These rings represent and formalize agreements for future marriages. And for ladies, having their men ask their hands in marriage is one of the happiest moments in their lives.
Traditionally, it is the guy who goes to the store to find the right engagement ring for his lady. Purchasing an engagement ring can be quite difficult as there are a lot of varieties, styles, and designs available. In addition, upon closer inspection of a diamond, one would observe that it has a slight tint to it. That tinge of color constitutes a part of the four C’s—clarity, carat weight, cut, and color—that determine the quality of a diamond. In this article, we will discuss the last C, which is color.
Many diamonds are not really colorless. The tint comes from impurities that are molecularly embedded in the carbon that comprises the diamond. But it is the pure colorless diamonds, normally called white diamonds, which all other hues are judged against.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has created a list of guidelines to determine the true color of a diamond. The tint of a candidate diamond is compared to the color of a couple of control stones, which are pre-selected to a specific colour.
The diamond that is to be color graded must be a loose stone. This means it must not be affixed onto the metal since the metal can alter the natural hue of the stone. Next, the candidate diamond is put table-down, pavilion-up beside the control stone. It is then viewed and analyzed with a 10X loupe. A lettering system from D to Z is then used to classify the the diamond’s color with D being given to rare, completely colorless diamonds.
* D to F – colorless or white
* G to J – almost colorless
* K to M – tinted in a faint yellow hue
* N to R – lightly tinted in a yellow hue. The tint is visible by the human eye, even without technical viewing equipment
* S to Z – moderately tinted, progressing to brown. The color is visible even when the diamond is placed on its setting.
Consult with a skilled jeweler to help you in choosing the ideal engagement ring and diamond earrings with the correct diamond color.
