Diamond color grades are determined by the human eye. There are a whopping 23 grades, from D to Z. It can be disheartening if the engagement ring or diamond ring you receive is a little yellow. We'll be frankly explaining the criteria you should use to choose a diamond, so please use this as a reference.
1. ColorWhat is it?
① Diamond color evaluation criteria
To be honest, the average person may not be able to tell the difference between D color and E color. That's how detailed the grade standards are.
Why does it start with color D? Why aren't there colors A, B, and C? Many people probably have questions like these.
Before GIA developed its D-to-Z color grading scale, many different systems existed, each vaguely defined. These included the alphabet (A, B, C, and even multiple A's for the finest stones), Arabic, and Roman letters, all of which were inconsistent and imprecise. GIA therefore established a new system unrelated to the previous systems, starting with the previously unused letter "D."
Most brands stock H or I color or higher, but G color or lower stones tend to have a slightly yellowish tinge. For this reason, Hojudo's loose stone inventory is generally F color or higher.
②About fancy color diamonds
Diamonds are often thought of as colorless, but there are actually diamonds that are colored, such as red, blue, and yellow. The color comes from impurities mixed into natural diamonds during their formation process. Fancy color diamonds are diamonds that have color beyond the Z range, and the higher the vividness (saturation) and color tone, the more valuable they become. They can be hundreds of times more valuable than colorless diamonds. Fancy color diamonds come in a variety of colors, so we'll introduce some of them for your reference.Red Diamond
It is called the "phantom diamond," and it is said that only a few dozen exist in the world. Therefore, it is unlikely that many people have seen one. The reason why the diamond turned red is not clearly understood, but it is thought to be due to a "defect in the crystal structure." It is highly valued among diamonds, and is apparently owned as an investment. For that reason, it is said that 1 carat can cost several hundred million yen.
Pink Diamond
This is also a rare diamond, and it is said that beautiful pink diamonds for jewelry are only 1 in 10,000 of the rough stones. Pink diamonds are only produced in a limited number of mines, most of which were the Argyle mine in Australia. That mine has already closed, and it is expected that their value will continue to increase in the future. Some people want a pink diamond as a lifetime engagement ring.
Blue Diamond
Blue diamonds are often seen in wedding rings as something blue. Most of these are treated stones, and natural blue diamonds are extremely rare and are said to be even more rare than pink diamonds. The probability of encountering one is said to be one in 100,000. They are said to be colored blue by the boron contained in the carbon, which crystallizes.
Yellow Diamond
Yellow diamonds are probably the most familiar type. They get their yellow color when nitrogen is mixed with carbon. Although they are generally cheaper than colorless diamonds, vibrant yellow diamonds with good color tone are traded at high prices. They are often used as an accent in diamond jewelry, and some people choose them not only for fashion rings but also for engagement rings.
③Evaluating the color of fancy color diamonds
Fancy colors are clearly visible.
Bright, vibrant colors are popular, with many choosing Fancy, Fancy Intense, and Fancy vivid.
Generally, the upper right range of the graph is more expensive, with fancy vivid being the most popular and expensive. Fancy vivid pink diamonds are traded at extremely high prices due to their rarity. Even the same fancy color can vary greatly in appearance, so when choosing a fancy color, we recommend that you actually see the actual diamond.
Hojudo's loose stones are generally F color or higher. Of these, 80% of their inventory is D color. This is because many customers choose D color. Although it depends on the carat weight, there is not much difference in price between F color and D color at the purchasing stage, so Hojudo follows this same pattern. Depending on the brand, D color is often priced quite high, so Hojudo's D color is a bargain! This is why many customers choose D color.
If you have a fancy color diamond or a specific grade you prefer, we can help you find it, so please feel free to contact us.
▼Diamonds in stock at Hojudo
2. Which color?Should I choose?
As with the criteria for choosing cut, rings are often viewed up close, so choose a colorless diamond if possible. Necklaces and earrings are less likely to be viewed up close, so many customers tend to lower the color slightly and prioritize carat weight. On the other hand, the metal material has a big impact on color development. We have summarized the criteria by material, so please use this as a reference.Regarding color, there will be individual differences between those who can tell the difference and those who cannot, so please use this as a guide only.
The criteria for choosing a cut are summarized below, so please take a look.
How to choose a diamond cut!
① Platinum and white gold
② Yellow gold and pink gold
3. Summary
- ■Colors are divided into 23 levels from D to Z
- ■ Diamonds are not only colorless, but also colored diamonds, which are distinguished differently from D to Z.
- ■ Red diamonds, blue diamonds, and pink diamonds are extremely rare and scarce, and are more expensive than colorless diamonds.
- The most popular fancy color is Fancy Vivid, followed by Fancy Intense.
- ■If the material is a silver color such as platinum or white gold, it is easier to see the difference in color, so we recommend colorless F or above. If it is yellow gold or pink gold, some people choose G or H color.
4. HojudoDiamond
At Houjudo, we propose jewelry that you can use for many years to come.Hojudo's loose stones are generally F color or higher. Of these, 80% of their inventory is D color. This is because many customers choose D color. Although it depends on the carat weight, there is not much difference in price between F color and D color at the purchasing stage, so Hojudo follows this same pattern. Depending on the brand, D color is often priced quite high, so Hojudo's D color is a bargain! This is why many customers choose D color.
All prices are reasonable, so they are all from the same appraisal agency.sameYou can purchase diamonds of this grade at half to one-third of the market price. In addition to being a direct wholesale store, we are able to offer these prices through thorough cost cutting by operating a single store.
If you have a fancy color diamond or a specific grade you prefer, we can help you find it, so please feel free to contact us.
