WASHINGTON DIAMOND

Diamond Color Scale - GIA Nomenclature

Color is the most important factor contributing to a diamonds value. Color is the "C" that you can see with your own eyes. The color grading scale developed by Gemological Institute of America is the most widely accepted in the world. It uses alphabet letters to indicate color. The letter "D" represents a total lack of color or pure "colorless." As you move down the scale (and the alphabet) through near colorless, to faint yellow you will see an increase in the tint of yellow that you can see with your unaided eye. As a diamond's tint increases it's value decreases. Diamonds beyond "Z" have enough color they are classified "fancy" and their value increases.

A diamond can't be color graded face-up because the brilliancy (return of light to the eye by the facets) and dispersion (spectral colors) confuses the eye. Therefore color grading is done face down in a white card or tray.

For proper illumination a color corrected fluorescent light free of ultraviolet rays should be used. This light is roughly equivalent to North daylight. Diamonds that are colorless to near colorless are the best to use in jewelry (Colors D-J). If you want a rare diamond get a diamond that is colorless (D-F). If you want to get a larger diamond for the same price get a near colorless stone (G-J).