Question on color

[zeusmta]

Hi all,

I''m new to all of this and have found pricescope to be invaluable in purchasing my first diamond. I purchased a round 62 point H, VS2, AGS Ideal stone from an online vendor. I received the stone today by fedex and am a bit concerned about the color. I happen to have a half carat CZ laying around, so I put the two next to each other just for fun. The H diamond looks a bit yellow next to the CZ. I realize the CZ is completely colorless, and is probably not a good comparison, but it got me thinking nonetheless. Since the diamond is going to go into a white gold or platinum setting, should I be concerned that it is an H? I could return the stone and look for something in G color. Should I consider this? I don''t want my fiancee to think I don''t love her! LOL. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Giangi]

That's weird. Usually a 50-60pts H color looks very white. You compared it with a pretty much colorless CZ, so there IS some difference and it's normal. But my suggestion is to return it if the color bothers you. It's better now than later when it will already be set in a ring.

 

[pqcollectibles]

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On 5/21/2004 6:53:24 AM Giangi wrote:

That's weird. Usually a 50-60pts H color looks very white. You compared it with a pretty much colorless CZ, so there IS some difference and it's normal. But my suggestion is to return it if the color bothers you. It's better now than later when it will already be set in a ring.

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There are several variables that come into play when selecting the color grade of any diamond.

The quality of the Cut will make lower color diamonds appear whiter and brighter. You have a great cut so the brightness should be the absolute best possible.

The hue of the rough the diamond was cut from. Diamond rough comes in all different shades. The most common colors are yellow and brown, but diamond rough can be bluish, greenish, a whole range of colors. I have a J color diamond cut from bluish rough that looks fabulous set in platinum.

Your own personal color sensitivity comes into play as well. Some people have very keen color sensitivity and require higher color grades. Other folk are less color sensitive and lower colors work very well for them.


I agree with Giangi. Most times, smaller carat weight, well cut H color diamonds will face up very white and bright. You might try viewing the diamond in a mock white gold or platinum setting and see how it looks to you then. If you are not comfortable with the color of the diamond, return it for a higher color. In the end, it's your eye that has to be pleased and you are the one that has to be comfortable with your selection.

 

[moremoremore]

and I think that some people can definitely see more than others...recently, I was looking at two nearly identical cut (ideal cuts) princess stones, one was a G and one an F. You could mix em up and I could easily identify the G....! My hubby on the other hand, had no clue!

 

[fire&ice]

What were the viewing conditions? Lighting? Face down? Is the CZ set?

 

[Magnum]

moremoremore,
I definitely agree with what you said. People's ability to detect color can vary, as well as their preference for it. Some people actually prefer warmer colored diamonds like I, J, K, while others prefer the icy look of D, E, F. In my opinion, color is probably the most subjective out of the four C's. One last thing I wanted to point out to Zeusmta was that color should be a little less noticeable in ideal cut round stones, than fancy stones, like the ideal cut princess you mentioned, and even more noticeable in step cut stones like an emerald cut. Saying that, I'll echo what I said before that since the ability to detect color and a person's preference for it is subjective, if the color bothers you, I say return it and go up to a G, or if you think you're really color sensitive, an F.

 

[pqcollectibles]

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On 5/21/2004 11:50:56 AM fire&ice wrote:

What were the viewing conditions? Lighting? Face down? Is the CZ set? ----------------

F&I made some good points as well. Lighting conditions will impact color. If the CZ was set, that will make it appear whiter. Were both the CZ and the diamond being viewed face up or cutlet up?? Color is graded table down thru the pavillion of the diamond. In a side by side viewing thru the pavillion, an H color diamond will show color that a colorless CZ doesn't.

 

[zeusmta]

Both stones were loose when I was viewing them. Last night I was looking at them from various angles under a regular 60W incandescent light bulb. Today I was looking at them under the natural light on an overcast day in LA. The diamond definitely is not colorless, whereas the CZ is, but when I place them into the white gold setting, the color barely shows. So maybe I'll go look at some G color stones and then decide.

Thank you all for your responses. The people on this board are top notch!

 

[moremoremore]

See, I think if you hold any stone up to a CZ, the CZ will look blinding fake white....and the diamond will look sub-par...but that's why CZs look FAKE!

 

[zeusmta]

Well, I decided to keep the H and have the stone mounted. Turns out that in the setting it looks great. I don't see any of the color that I could see when the stone was loose. What a trip! Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, the ring looks great, and I'm very happy. Thank you all for your help.

Now I just need to not screw up the proposal!

 

[Daniela]

Glad that the stone worked out for you. I, too, was surprised to hear that you saw so much colour in your H stone. I have an H and love it. But I have never seen my diamond unmounted, either, which seems to have made all the difference for you.

Congratulations!

 

[GlitterGal]

Hi Zeusmata,

Congrats on your purchase! I think the H is a great choice for a white gold or platinum setting.

Post pics when you have a chance - we'd all love to see the ring!

Kindest regards always,
Linda