Color Diamond Grading Process

Fancy colored diamonds: nature's rarest gems, are graded by four crucial factors.

1. Primary hue
2. Secondary hue
3. Color Intensity
4. Rarity of the Color

Master these elements, and you'll grasp the true essence of colored diamond grading and valuation.

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1. Understanding Primary Hues

When grading colored diamonds, start by identifying the primary hue:

• Red: Look for pure red without secondary hues for highest value.
• Blue: Assess for evenness of color distribution and intensity.
• Green: Check for natural color zoning, often concentrated near the surface.
• Pink: Evaluate for uniformity of color, especially in larger stones.
• Yellow: Distinguish between light yellow and the rarer, more intense hues.
• Orange: Pure orange is extremely rare; most have yellowish or brownish tints.
• Purple: Often exhibits secondary pink hues; pure purple is exceptionally rare.
• Brown: Look for marketing terms like "champagne" or "cognac" for higher-value browns.

Mastering primary hue assessment in colored diamonds requires recognizing the subtle variations within each color category, as these significantly impact value and rarity. The most valuable diamonds typically exhibit pure, intense colors without unwanted overtones, with some hues like red, blue, and pink commanding the highest premiums due to their extreme scarcity.

Tip: Use controlled lighting conditions to accurately assess the primary hue.

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2. Secondary Hues and Color Combinations

Many colored diamonds exhibit combinations of colors, leading to over 300 recognized color possibilities. Examples include:

• Bluish-Green: Often enhances value, as it combines two rare colors.
• Orangy-Pink: Can increase value in pink diamonds, adding warmth and uniqueness.
• Purplish-Red: May boost value significantly, as it intensifies the rare red hue.
• Yellowish-Orange: Generally less valuable than pure orange, but more valuable than pure yellow.
• Grayish-Blue: Typically decreases value compared to pure blue, as gray is less desirable.

These combinations can significantly impact a diamond's value. For instance, a purple secondary color in a pink diamond often increases its value by 20-30%, as it adds depth and rarity. Conversely, a brown secondary color in a pink diamond might decrease value by 30-40%, as brown is generally less desirable. Ultimately, the most valuable combinations tend to be those that enhance the rarity or intensity of the primary color without detracting from its purity.

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3. Fancy Color Intensity Scale

The GIA grades colored diamonds on a scale from least to most intense:

Faint < Very Light < Light < Fancy Light < Fancy < Fancy Intense < Fancy Vivid < Fancy Deep < Fancy Dark

This scale is crucial for determining a diamond's value:

• Faint to Light: These diamonds have subtle color and are generally less valuable.
• Fancy Light: Marks the beginning of more noticeable color.
• Fancy: A step up in intensity, with clearly visible color throughout the stone.
• Fancy Intense: Exhibits strong color saturation, often commanding significant premiums.
• Fancy Vivid: The most prized category, displaying the deepest, most saturated color.
• Fancy Deep and Dark: Used for very dark-toned diamonds, which can be valuable in certain colors.

Generally, more intense colors command higher prices, with Fancy Vivid being the most sought-after category. For example, a Fancy Vivid blue diamond can be worth up to 10 times more than a Fancy Light blue diamond of similar size and quality.

However, the impact of intensity can vary by color. In yellow diamonds, the price difference between intensity grades is less pronounced than in rarer colors like pink or blue.

It's important to note that larger diamonds tend to show color more intensely, which can affect their grading and value. A 2-carat Fancy Intense pink diamond might appear more vivid than a 0.5-carat stone of the same grade.

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4. Rarity of Colored Diamonds

Colored diamonds are exceptionally rare, occurring in less than 0.01% of all mined diamonds. The rarity hierarchy, from most to least rare, typically follows this order:

Red > Blue > Pink > Green > Orange > Purple > Yellow > Brown

This rarity directly impacts value:

• Red diamonds are so scarce that only a handful are found each year, often fetching over $1 million per carat.
• Blue diamonds, particularly those over 3 carats, can command prices exceeding $500,000 per carat for top qualities.
• Pink diamonds saw a surge in value after the closure of the Argyle mine, with some fancy vivid pinks selling for over $2 million per carat.
• Green diamonds are among the most undervalued relative to their rarity, potentially offering investment opportunities.

However, within each color category, factors like intensity and size play crucial roles in determining value and rarity:

• A 1-carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond can be 5-10 times more valuable than a 1-carat Fancy Light Blue.
• Large colored diamonds (over 5 carats) are exponentially rarer and more valuable, often selling for multiples of the per-carat price of smaller stones.
• Some combinations, like purple-pink or orange-pink, can be rarer and more valuable than their pure color counterparts.

Market trends can also influence perceived rarity. For example, yellow diamonds have seen increased demand in Asian markets, potentially affecting their position in the rarity hierarchy.

Understanding these nuances in rarity and their impact on value is crucial for investors and collectors in the colored diamond market.

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Conclusion

Grading fancy colored diamonds requires expertise in color nuances, intensity scales, and rarity factors. Key aspects: primary hues, secondary colors, color intensity, and overall rarity.

Understanding these principles helps in appreciating and evaluating colored diamonds.As the colored diamond market evolves, staying informed is crucial for making sound investment decisions.

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Next Steps

1. Download our Colored Diamond Investment Guide at www.syndicatediamonds.com for in-depth market insights.

2. Contact our expert team at +1 (332)-334-7721 to explore colored diamond investment opportunities tailored to your goals.

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