Different Diamond Colors You May Not Know About
Diamonds are one of the most revered, unparalleled, symbols of love and commitment in the world. They are stunning, symbolic, valuable, and romantic! But what exactly are diamonds? It’s a head-scratcher, and it makes you think of all the other things you might not yet know about these seemingly “traditional” stones. There’s a lot to discover!
Diamonds are made primarily of carbon, but what turns this basic element into a beautiful gem is a cocktail of three of planet Earth’s specialties: pressure, heat, and time. Raw diamonds are buried deep in the earth’s crust and up to 100 miles under the ground. They are between 1 and 3 billion years old. They’ve been cooked in an environment of a toasty 752 degrees, shaped by over 434,000 pounds of pressure per square inch, and then forced toward the earth’s surface from the deeper depths by ancient volcanos. They’re not only used for fine jewelry, but also in micro and electrical-engineering for their ability to be sharpened into the finest of points, for their conductive nature of heat, and because they respond to electrical currents. The very word “diamond” comes from the Greek word “adamas” which means invincible. We have to say, they pretty much hit the nail on the head. Diamonds are the hardest known mineral in the world. What a perfect symbol for everlasting love.
Now, out of the four “C’s” of diamonds: cut, color, clarity, and carat, just half of these are dictated by nature. Color and clarity, are two “C’s” which the diamond totally gets to decide. Cut describes how a diamond is shaped by the human hand; it takes artistry and skill to bring out the “fire” in a diamond through exacting geometry and precision. About a half of the “rough” diamond is lost during the cutting process. Therefore, carat has to do with the original size of the stone, but ultimately, it reflects the weight of the finished diamond, prior to setting it into a piece of jewelry. The larger the carat weight, the more valuable the diamond typically is.
One of the most interesting of the four “C’s” is color, because the range is both organic and vast! Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamonds on an internationally accepted diamond color chart from letters D to Z. The range spans from totally “colorless” (D, E, and F) to “near colorless” (G, H, I, J) to “faint” (K, L, M) continuing down the alphabet through “very light” and “light.” These tones can be described to the naked eye as within the “clear,” “white,” and “light yellow” ranges, but the differences are subtle. When you’re in the market for a diamond, it’s important to purchase from a reliable source, because the slight color differences are not ascertainable by anyone other than a trained professional. At Lux Bond & Green, our diamonds go through a second step and are re-graded in our very own laboratories by American Gem Society (AGS) gemologists. Most of our larger diamonds (over .75 carat) also come accompanied by a GIA report, Forevermark, or AGS report.
You didn’t think that “clear” to “light yellow” described all of the different diamond colors available in this magical stone, right? When other elements are introduced in the formation process, diamonds can come in all kinds of bold tones like canary yellow, pink, blue, chocolate, champagne black, and cognac. You can find some examples of these in Lux Bond & Green’s collection, including pieces like this Henri Daussi 14k white gold and black diamond wedding band, or this Ponte Vecchio 18k yellow gold bangle with champagne diamonds.
Lux Bond & Green’s diamond search tool makes it easy to browse the whole range of diamond colors, from D through Z and specialty colors, to find the perfect stone. Select from shape, clarity, carat weight, and cut quality, or start with price. This tool makes the valuation of diamonds incredibly transparent, based on a balance of these factors. We suppose, this is exactly what you would expect from 121 years of experience in dealing extraordinary diamonds across MA and CT.
You have to remember that there is no wrong choice in a diamond. They are all beautiful and unique objects born from the Earth. So, if you’re using the search tool and you land on a G-color, round brilliant, half-carat diamond with very small inclusions that’s within your budget...guess what? You can come in and see it for yourself! Setting up an appointment is easy.
If a custom engagement ring is your ultimate goal in your diamond search, we recommend that you also preview some of Lux Bond & Green’s finest pre-set engagement rings online or in-store. All shapes and sizes are offered, and for every budget. From the Forevermark Halo, with a .70 carat center round cut cushion and gorgeous diamond melee in white gold, to this 5 total carat, three-stone masterpiece in platinum, we can help you find your perfect ring. Gain inspiration for your custom ring or walk out with “the one” today! Get in touch with a Lux Bond & Green store today to map out your favorite diamond in person, for a piece of jewelry as unique as your love.