Color is one of the four main characteristics that determine diamond's value and quality. The other three are the weight (expressed in carats), clarity, and cut. Pure, ideally clear diamond is always absolutely transparent and colorless. This diamond type is the most rare and thus the most valuable. As a rule, diamond tends to possess various degrees of a yellow hue. The more intense is the hue, the less valued is the gem. The opposite is true of the fancy color diamonds. Fancy colors are the pink, violet, red, brown, blue, green, and black. Here, the intensity of color is directly proportional to the diamond’s value. Interestingly, because they are becoming extinct and rare to find in recent times, the original fancy colored stones are becoming more valued than the colorless ones. The rarest ones are the red diamonds.
The color intensity in a gemstone is measured according to the special scale developed by the GIA. The level of transparency is labeled with letters of the Latin alphabet from D to N. The color D diamonds are completely colorless. Diamonds from the categories D, E, F, and G are used for the most expensive and exquisite jewelry items. Diamonds belonging to categories H and I are visibly colored, possessing a slight tint; the J, K, and L diamonds are significantly colored and are valued much less. As a rule, unless the diamond is of an actual fancy color, the light hint of yellow or gray usually decreases its value. With the fancy colored diamonds, the value is greatly affected by the intensity of the color and the actual hue.
Recently, diamond color has become the result of mere artificial coloring. Modern techniques enable the easiest transformation of ordinary brownish or bluish diamonds into vivid, fancy colored ones. Moreover, today's market is flourishing with artificial diamonds. First, it is much cheaper to produce artificial diamonds than to procure the natural ones. Second, the production process of the fancy colored artificial diamonds, such as brown and amber-yellow diamonds, is even easier than the production of the clear, colorless stones. From the buyer's viewpoint, the main problem with the artificial diamonds is that it is almost impossible to tell them from the natural gems without sufficient knowledge and experience, as well as some special equipment. Thus, when purchasing a diamond, it is always recommended to ask for the GIA certificate to insure that the gem is indeed of a stated quality and price.
If you are interested in learning more about the diamond’s other characteristics, you can check articles Carat, Cut, and Clarity.