When we think of diamonds, we often envision the classic white, brilliant stones that have become synonymous with elegance and luxury. However, there is a captivating world of fancy colored diamonds that makes for some exciting options for your custom jewelry design or engagement ring in Winnipeg. These unique and vibrant gems come in various hues, from vivid blues and fiery reds to delicate pinks and intense yellows. Understanding fancy colored diamonds, their grading, and their rarity can help us appreciate their allure and value. This blog post will delve into the world of fancy colored diamonds, as defined by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
What Are Fancy Colored Diamonds?
Fancy colored diamonds are natural diamonds that exhibit noticeable color, beyond the traditional colorless range. Unlike white diamonds, which are graded on the absence of color, fancy colored diamonds are evaluated based on the presence and intensity of their color. The GIA, the renowned authority in diamond grading, categorizes fancy colored diamonds into a spectrum of colors, including blue, pink, yellow and more.
Diamonds within the standard color range typically range from colorless to light yellow and are categorized using the widely recognized D-to-Z color-grading scale. However, a distinct category, fancy color diamonds, emerges when we venture beyond the Z range. These extraordinary gems can showcase a breathtaking array of colors across the entire spectrum. Of particular significance are the enchanting blue, green, pink, and red fancy color diamonds that captivate the hearts of collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
In the realm of gem diamonds falling within the D-to-Z range, the value decreases as the color becomes more pronounced. However, the dynamics completely shift when it comes to fancy color diamonds. These extraordinary gems often experience an increase in value as the color intensifies and achieves greater purity. The rarity and desirability of large, vivid fancy color diamonds contribute significantly to their extraordinary worth. It’s important to note that while some fancy color diamonds boast vibrant and intense hues, many exhibit more subdued and nuanced colors rather than pure and vibrant tones.
Some famous fancy colored diamonds
A number of famous fancy colored diamonds have made their way into pop culture. The most well-known is the Hope diamond, a 45.54 fancy blue diamond currently displayed at the Smithsonian Institute.
Several celebrities have also been trending online after having received fancy colored diamond engagement rings. Check out this article on Marie Claire to learn more.
Quality Factors of fancy colored diamonds
COLOR
Among all the captivating hues found in diamonds, the ones with the highest value are pink, blue, and green. Even slight variations in color can significantly impact the overall value of a diamond.
GIA Colored Diamond Grading Reports categorize colored diamonds based on their color strength, starting from Faint, Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, and Fancy, progressing to Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid, Fancy Dark, and Fancy Deep. Typically, Fancy Intense and Fancy Vivid grades tend to fetch higher prices in the market.
Clarity
As color is generally seen as the most important factor in fancy colored diamonds, even diamonds with lower clarity are considered acceptable among jewelry lovers. Naturally, the presence of inclusions that compromise the durability of a fancy color diamond can significantly reduce its value. Color graining, categorized as inclusion, is common in fancy color diamonds.
CUT
While round and oval are the most popular diamond shapes for clear diamonds (both natural and lab created) when it comes to fancy colored diamonds, shapes such as radiant cut are popular because they enhance the intensity of the diamond’s color.
Carat:
Even in smaller sizes, such as under a carat, fancy color diamonds in shades of pink, blue, green, and orange are considered exceptionally rare and hold significant value.
We hope you enjoyed this article on fancy colored diamonds. For more info, check out our diamond education page and the excellent resources at the Gemological Institute of America.