Color grading for diamonds in a setting?

[OECsareforLovers]

It's a snow (well ice) day where I am today so that basically means diamond education time . Here is my question: I know that loose diamonds are graded for color face down so the body color can be examined. But, many antique diamonds are in a setting when graded (I'm talking graded by an independent appraiser) and often the setting does not allow for a look at the stone from the side or face down. I've also gleamed from the wealth of knowledge here in PS that many diamonds appear whiter in color face up when compared to face down.

So, what should the consumer keep in mind when considering diamonds that have been graded in the setting? Should we assume that the diamond has a body color lower than the appraised color?

Thank you!

 

[30yearsofdiamonds]

When I was at GIA and we graded stones in mountings, we gave it a three color rang starting at the color we thought it was. So if we thought it was an H we gave it H-J. We looked at it face down trying to see as much of the pavilion as we could and then we would angle the stone about 45 degrees to see the face up color without the brilliance coming straight back at our eyes and we would take the master stone and angle it in the same way to come up with the closest color. Keep in mind the stones need to be as clean from dirt and grease as is possible. As you know dirty diamonds will look fuzzy and mask the color to appear better then it is.

 

[Amour_Et_Diamants]

When I was at GIA and we graded stones in mountings, we gave it a three color rang starting at the color we thought it was. So if we thought it was an H we gave it H-J. We looked at it face down trying to see as much of the pavilion as we could and then we would angle the stone about 45 degrees to see the face up color without the brilliance coming straight back at our eyes and we would take the master stone and angle it in the same way to come up with the closest color. Keep in mind the stones need to be as clean from dirt and grease as is possible. As you know dirty diamonds will look fuzzy and mask the color to appear better then it is.

So for the appraisal, if one is given a range then there is there no real need to assume anything more? Hypothetically though, if the appraiser DOES give an exact color grade (not saying this would happen, but if it did), should the purchaser assume this would vary by a couple grades? I'm just curious, and this very well may be a question for this hypothetical appraiser.

 

[motownmama]

ditto. The appraiser is giving an educated guess based on what IS visible. Could be lower, higher or spot on

 

[OECsareforLovers]

Thanks everyone for the replies. The stone that made me create this post faced up really white (for an OEC) to my eyes and its graded an I. So it sounds like I can assume it will be graded somewhere around an I-K when loose.