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Importance of Color

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Got_the_Bling

Rough_Rock
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Apr 6, 2010
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I''m fairly new to looking for engagement rings. I''ve done some basic research on the C''s and wanted some opinion on the color ''C''. How "high" can I really go up the color scale before I''ll start to see yellow or haze? I recognize that not all grading scales are equal, but when using the more stringent scales what would be best? I think I want to focus on get a top notch cut over all else, but want to have an idea on how much to weight the color component.

Cheers,

William
 
I''m no expert but have had an H stone and to me it wasn''t white enough because it was in a 3-diamond setting with G sidestones and you could tell it was darker. That said, I think as a solitaire an H would be the lowest color I''d be willing to go, but some people like I''s and J''s.
 
I say H. However, if I wanted a white diamond, I would not go below a G personally. It also really depends on the cut and shape of the diamond.
 
People vary.
I like, and don't mind paying for, E and F diamonds, even knowing I could have gotten a larger stone for the same price.
I recently bought an H for my SO and the warmth bothers me in certain lighting although my SO doesn't mind. (All these are GIA-graded stones)

Others not only don't mind colors lower colors, but report actually preferring them, lucky them.

I think lots of people would prefer a colorless diamond but when they find out how expensive they are they compromise and get a lower color so they can get a larger stone.

You really need to get out and see for yourself how these colors look and discover where YOUR compromise of color vs. cost comfort zone is.
 
The only thing I can say is you really need to go look for yourself. Some people can see color very well, some can''t. I can usually discern subtle color differences, but for me color in diamonds is hard to see. I bought a J for my future fiance (still waiting for the ring to be finished). I could only really see color looking at the pavilion comparing it to a G. By itself, I really couldn''t tell, and even more so face up. I don''t think I would have gone for a K or lower, but I did not compare it to lower color. I saved a substantial amount of money compared to the G and H I compared it with, and got a slightly bigger stone, but thats all preference.
 
From my conversations with Brian Gavin, it seems that H is the tipping point. For *some* people, with some H color stones, in some lighting, there will be a hint of tint. That is a lot of "somes", I know, but that is how it goes. If you want a diamond that never ever shows tint you need to stick with G and above.

But you should note that even with H-I-J color stones grades by a reputable lab like GIA or AGS, there will be no "haze" and indeed no real yellow either. It is a warmth that you will see, a softening of the light you see. And it is hella subtle. Many or even most cannot tell the difference between the various color grades. Then others are cursed in the pocket book with an eye for color. Woe is me I am one of the "lucky" ones.
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Here is an excellent video on diamond color. But you need to see diamonds in person to really know how you feel about it.

http://www.vimeo.com/3288695
 
Ok, I am by no means an expert or anything, but I thought I would chime in because I recently purchased a H color VS1 Brian Gavin Signature diamond. I had it set in a Verragio that has a halo around the center diamond. I had it independently appraised today and he thoroughly confirmed everything the report said. Oh, and he said that he would be very hard pressed to tell the difference between it and a HOF, just in case anyone was wondering.
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Overall, I am very happy with the stone that I purchased. However, I can definitely see SOME body color- not a lot, just some- when I have the diamond in certain lighting (I seem to notice it when I''m looking at the ring at an angle in natural daylight by a window, with no direct sun) and really, it is only because 1. There are F-G stones in the halo. 2. I''m purposely looking for it and 3. I''m a little anal. I am very confident that my soon to be fiance will be thrilled with the ring and will probably never notice the SLIGHT difference. The whole thing sparkles like crazy (lots of fire outside and lots of white scintillation inside) and everyone who I''ve shown the ring to so far has been taken aback by it and said how sparkly and gorgeous it is. Not one person has said, "Oh, I can see some color" or "The center stone looks funny" (Not that they would say that anyway) But I did ask my friend and my aunt and both thought it was all in my head.
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And, to quote my aunt :"I don''t think I''ve ever seen one that sparkles like this before!" (With her mouth hanging open).
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it''s all personal preference, and you should ask your future fiancee what the lowest color grade she would want.
 
H or higher on a ring,but on pendants & earrings i can live with I color.
 
Date: 4/6/2010 9:33:50 PM
Author:Got_the_Bling
I'm fairly new to looking for engagement rings. I've done some basic research on the C's and wanted some opinion on the color 'C'. How 'high' can I really go up the color scale before I'll start to see yellow or haze? I recognize that not all grading scales are equal, but when using the more stringent scales what would be best? I think I want to focus on get a top notch cut over all else, but want to have an idea on how much to weight the color component.

Cheers,

William
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Hi William and welcome!

I think this question can only be answered by you viewing some diamonds in person, if you have a Jareds nearby, go and see their AGS0 Peerless brand and look at some stones which are of similar size that you are considering buying, that way you will know where your individual colour preference and tolerance falls. The Peerless brand are well cut diamonds which will give you a better idea of how the colour grades look rather than using mediocre to badly cut diamonds as a guideline, cut quality can make a big difference in how a colour grade can present itself.
 
Date: 4/6/2010 9:37:37 PM
Author: kenny
People vary.
I like, and don't mind paying for, E and F diamonds, even knowing I could have gotten a larger stone for the same price.
I recently bought an H for my SO and the warmth bothers me in certain lighting although my SO doesn't mind. (All these are GIA-graded stones)

Others not only don't mind colors lower colors, but report actually preferring them, lucky them.

I think lots of people would prefer a colorless diamond but when they find out how expensive they are they compromise and get a lower color so they can get a larger stone.

You really need to get out and see for yourself how these colors look and discover where YOUR compromise of color vs. cost comfort zone is.
Click to expand...
Yeah, me too. I'm not into big stones and would much rather pay less and get a G-H in a smaller size. E is a bit of an overkill. I have D, E, F, & G stones and the G seems fine to me. . .depends upon budget too.

You should be looking in person. Some B&M stores sell high-quality cut stones and seeing those can help determine what color is right for you. Lighting can be deceptive, so be aware of that! B&M prices are crazy too. Best to look in person and then buy online.
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A G-H is my limit unless it is an antique style diamond.
 
Date: 4/6/2010 9:33:50 PM
Author:Got_the_Bling
I'm fairly new to looking for engagement rings. I've done some basic research on the C's and wanted some opinion on the color 'C'. How 'high' can I really go up the color scale before I'll start to see yellow or haze? I recognize that not all grading scales are equal, but when using the more stringent scales what would be best? I think I want to focus on get a top notch cut over all else, but want to have an idea on how much to weight the color component.

Cheers,

William
Click to expand...

What shape of diamond & what carat weight? Big RBs show more color due to the mass of the diamond. Princess, Asscher, and other deep cuts and some "fancy" shapes concentrate tint more than an excellent cut of RB. General rule of thumb is that I color is where most people can start seeing tint. But the farther you go beyond the D/E/F grades, the wider that color band gets, with the exception of the I band which is rather narrow. So, you can get a high H or J or whatever and that might be acceptable, or you could look at a stone from the low end of its color band and think it's too yellow.

There's also an adage that for small diamonds like .25ct & under, the color doesn't make much difference. People will dispute that, lol.

If you are looking at 1ct H&A RBs, then I'd say look at H & I and if those look plenty white, then maybe look at J but don't be surprised if J is too much tint. H and above appears to be what people pick for e-rings. Then there are some exceptions like L color Asschers, etc. that are light yellow and look great.
 

Right. So in a nutshell:


An *ideal-cut* RB can mask color very well when facing up. It''s purely because of the optics of all that flashy brilliance and fire.


A more poorly cut RB, or a fancy shape with broader planes (like an EC) will mask color less well because it''s less sparkly.


And, it stands to reason that a bigger stone, purely due to its size and thus bigger facets, is likely to show color more than something smaller where any warmth gets lost in all the teeny sparkles.


Also, there''s the personal factor. Some people are just more eagle-eyed. Some people care a lot how warm a stone looks from the side and bottom even if it''s pretty white from the top.


So, it is very important that you go see for yourself in person to judge what you''re willing to live with. If you''re looking a RB it''s pretty easy. Go to a place, for instance, that has Hearts of Fire stones or the Jareds Peerless stones and ask them to show you a high color grade vs. a lower grade and see what your eyes see.


I would also *not* rely on asking a GF if she prefers a higher color or not. Unless she''s well-versed with diamonds she''s just going to react to the way a color grade "sounds" vs. actually being able to give you an informed opinion of what she likes in real life.

 
Thanks for all the advice everyone. It''s great to see such enthusiastic people willing to help out some lesser experienced folks in this realm. Although I''ve done some looking at this point, I need to go back with a more refined eye to start to take notice in any differences that may exist and just shop with my eyes and less by a letter.

Cheers,
William
 
Yes shop with your eyes... I like G-h. Used to be a huge color snob and wanted D, E or F. But not so much anymore.
The CUT is key, so make sure you keep that in mind while looking...

Best of luck, and let us know if you need any further help.
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It really depends on the person - I only have diamond studs in my diamond collection so far (besides tiny sparkly wedding bands) and they''re I colour - I see a bit of colour from the side, but not the top. If it were a ring, I would probably not be able to go as low as I.
 
Definitely a personal preference. I like colorless diamonds and can see color starting in a G stone from certain angles. I personally wouldn''t go below an H for a pendant or earrings and wouldn''t like anything below a G for a ring.
 
H is my lower limit for solitaires. If you do not want to see color, definitely do not go for an EGL graded H color. I can''t see color in a GIA H unless it''s next to a higher color grade stone. Best of luck!
 
Date: 4/8/2010 9:42:43 PM
Author: Kaleigh
Yes shop with your eyes... I like G-h. Used to be a huge color snob and wanted D, E or F. But not so much anymore.
The CUT is key, so make sure you keep that in mind while looking...

Best of luck, and let us know if you need any further help.
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Yeah, I use to be a color snob until realizing my F looks better than my D.
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It depends on two things, the cut and the color sensitivity of the person buying/or wearing it. My stone is I colored and I previously had a J. I could see more color in the J. When I put my ring next to a

white cz, the color is minimal to me. For me, it''s not worth paying the higher price, for that little a difference. I understand it is very important to some people. My solitaire is I, my eternity is D-F.

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When a diamond is set in a halo, it tends to hold the color more, in my experience. If you want your diamond to face up as colorless/near colorless as possible, I would suggest going no higher than a G.
 
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