Confused about Diamond Color and Sparke/Brightness

[Gnmu]

I've always thought it was just the diamond cut that affected a diamond's sparkle and brightness. However, I was looking at GIA website and it mentions that brightness diminishes in lower color diamonds? Why does this happen, and how much is this diminishing? For example, if I have a hearts and arrows/super ideal cut diamond, will I even be able to notice the difference between a D and an I?

 

[OoohShiny]

I've always thought it was just the diamond cut that affected a diamond's sparkle and brightness. However, I was looking at GIA website and it mentions that brightness diminishes in lower color diamonds? Why does this happen, and how much is this diminishing? For example, if I have a hearts and arrows/super ideal cut diamond, will I even be able to notice the difference between a D and an I?

An actual expert will chime in soon but my first thought is that some of the light entering the stone will be absorbed by the tint within the stone (which gives the stone its colour) meaning a lower amount will exit the stone.

That difference must be infinitesimally small in anything whiter than halfway down the alphabet range, I imagine!

 

[headlight]

The body color of the stone is what nature gave it. A well cut diamond, especially one of super ideal craftsmanship, will enhance its brightness to the maximum possible, but the color (or lack thereof) of the diamond rough is the color. Yes, even in the best of diamond cut quality you will notice the difference between D to I, with that particular example distinctively so.

 

[Gnmu]

...Yes, even in the best of diamond cut quality you will notice the difference between D to I, with that particular example distinctively so.

Is the difference I'm noticing the color difference, or light return difference?

 

[headlight]

Is the difference I'm noticing the color difference, or light return difference?

Without being with you, seeing the same diamond, and you showing me what you are referring to I cannot comment. Perhaps you can post photos?
Here’s another idea that may help... to keep things as controlled as possible, go to the website of one of the super ideal vendors: Brian Gavin Signature H & A, Whiteflash A Cut Above line, or High Performance Diamonds Crafted by Infinity. View different color grades. This way, the cut quality is basically the same given the strict criteria and craftsmanship of all the stones in a particular line. Brightness will be maximized and on par with the stones available. Then compare color grades and you will know the difference you are seeing is from the color as you will have an equal playing field in a sense as to brightness provided by cut quality.

 

[nala]

My diamond is not a branded super ideal stone but falls near the ideal and Has 1.6 HCA and is GIA I. I recently compared it to A very good cut G and I could tell the difference. The G had an overall body color that was just creamier? Lol. For lack of a better descriptor. I left feeling glad that i don’t have to walk around comparing the 2 colors.

 

[Gnmu]

Without being with you, seeing the same diamond, and you showing me what you are referring to I cannot comment. Perhaps you can post photos?
Here’s another idea that may help... to keep things as controlled as possible, go to the website of one of the super ideal vendors: Brian Gavin Signature H & A, Whiteflash A Cut Above line, or High Performance Diamonds Crafted by Infinity. View different color grades. This way, the cut quality is basically the same given the strict criteria and craftsmanship of all the stones in a particular line. Brightness will be maximized and on par with the stones available. Then compare color grades and you will know the difference you are seeing is from the color as you will have an equal playing field in a sense as to brightness provided by cut quality.

Sorry, I should have clarified I'm not actually looking at diamonds right now. It was more me doing some research, but being confused by what the GIA website was saying. I was curious about why GIA states this is the case (sadly they have no citation).

 

[headlight]

Sorry, I should have clarified I'm not actually looking at diamonds right now. It was more me doing some research, but being confused by what the GIA website was saying. I was curious about why GIA states this is the case (sadly they have no citation).

Can you link us the page?

 

[jBright]

I came across to IG posts that may be a bit helpful:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Gnmu]

Can you link us the page?

How to Get the Most Diamond Sparkle

Want to get the most diamond sparkle in your engagement ring? Find out why diamonds sparkle, the secret of lighting, cut quality, settings and more.

4cs.gia.edu

See number 2 "Choose a diamond with good color and clarity".

I understand the theory behind clarity impacting light return, but I'm not so sure about color. As OoohShiny said it could just be some of the wavelengths are absorbed, or I guess all the wavelengths are absorbed but that color seen.

 

[Texas Leaguer]

I've always thought it was just the diamond cut that affected a diamond's sparkle and brightness. However, I was looking at GIA website and it mentions that brightness diminishes in lower color diamonds? Why does this happen, and how much is this diminishing? For example, if I have a hearts and arrows/super ideal cut diamond, will I even be able to notice the difference between a D and an I?

The most important takeaway from the GIA material is that the quality of the cut is the most important factor determining the brightness and sparkle of a diamond.

Technically, an object has color because it absorbs certain wavelengths of light energy, emitting a combination of the remaining wavelengths that determine its color. So a perfectly clear and colorless diamond would absorb the least light energy and would therefore be theoretically the brightest, cut quality being equal. In a similar way clarity factors can potentially absorb or scatter light and diminish brightness, even in perfectly cut diamonds.

But the extent to which these factors affect diamond light performance that can be appreciated in real world observation, is dependent on their levels. For instance, the amount of light energy adsorbed through the near colorless range is visually negligible, as is the amount of light scattered by diamonds in the top 3 or 4 clarity grades.