Tell the truth. do you like tinted stones b/c..

[Dancing Fire]

of the price or b/c of the tint?

If someone offer you a 3 ct D color stone for the same price as a L-M stone which one would you pick?...

 

[Niel]

Is have to see them both before deciding.

 

[GemFever]

Could i take the 3ct D, sell it, and find the perfectly patterned OEC in the I-J range? That is my favorite color range, it's soft and warm without being dark. Everything below that is either because of an unbeatable faceting pattern or price, or both.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I like them because they are cheap in some cases. But cheap makes me really happy, so its not really a compromise I do think some diamonds look better with some tint, though. I can see the patterning and contrast better.

For your example, I too would like to see the two diamonds in question before choosing!

 

[braga123]

AND SIZE...
...usually, they are cheaper and therefore, you can get a bigger size...as long as the sparkle is there, I will compromise on a BIGGER, albeit not-as-white diamond...

 

[ForteKitty]

If someone were to sell me a 3ct D for the price of a 3ct L, I'd take the D. But only because I can re-sell it for a lot more money! I already have a 3.768ct L oec that I'm extremely happy with, so I don't need another 3ct.

If I must keep the diamond and cannot resell, then I'd chose a 3ct D in an old emerald/pear/marquise, since fancy shapes tend to show more tint in certain areas, and unevenness of color does bother me. My oec is so damn bright most of the time that a D might be overkill. Although... I am starting to wonder if my oec is higher color than an L. When I eventually reset it, I'll have it sent to GIA.

 

[SB621]

I pretty much agree with FK. If I had to have a white diamond I would do it in an emerald or asscher cut as I do tend to prefer those in white colors. But for cushions or rounds I just have very little interest. They are just to plain for me. When I'm not wearing my cushion I have 2 alternate erings. My 2ct F MRB and my 1.18ct J OEC. I have gone for the smaller ct OEC every time. I just prefer the facet pattern and the slight color to it vs the stark white F.

 

[gemmyblond]

Well, for me it has to be the lower color stone. Hands down, due to its uniqueness. I'm very grateful to have both D as well as N color stones (and some in-between) and I definitely wear the N far more frequently. I just like the warmth, unique faceting and overall yummy-ness of it, and it's different. That's what I really love about it...it's different (but yet kind of not).
But I'm ummm, chronologically pretty mature (how's that for a euphemism?!) so I don't much care anymore about lots of things that really mattered to me years ago.

I do like and wear higher color stones, and I really enjoy seeing many of those stunners here and IRL -- but I just can't get past the perfect imperfection of a good warm old stone. Yum!

 

[c-k]

My car has tinted windows, I like that....get a D for the price of an L why not, then I can show it off, only because I paid L price...but I would not shell out $100,000 or more to buy one.

 

[arkieb1]

of the price or b/c of the tint?

If someone offer you a 3 ct D color stone for the same price as a L-M stone which one would you pick?...

You might have missed one more piece of the equation - size.

If someone offered me two equally well cut RBs and one is a 3 carat D and one is a carat L-M no contest at the same price I'd go for the D.

If someone offered me a 3 carat D and a 6 + carat OEC L for a similar price and they were each as well cut and had plenty of fire, I'd go for the larger stone probably.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Sure I'd take the D under those circumstances. But I would never pay more for a D when I could go larger in a near colorless range stone. I may get a cushion or EC eventually, and I will have to go lower in color to afford the size I want. But I will halo the stone to accentuate the tint.

I have thought about what I would buy if I won the lottery or something, and honestly, I'd probably go with F VS1 in a round brilliant, EC or asscher, but I would stick with G-H-I for my AVR or AVC because I sort of like a softer color in old style cuts (or antique stones). And they would all be in the 3 ct range!

I will say that ForteKitty's OEC does not look like L color to me. It is an absolutely gorgeous stone!

 

[Acinom]

I would pick a D if I could resell it or if I could pick an Asscher or Emerald.
I would pick an M if I could pick an OMC. I already have a 5ct OEC in U-V colour so I would not need a 3 ct warm OEC.

My preference for warm stones come from the fact that -for me- it adds additional personality to a diamond, especially if it's an antique cut stone.

 

[GreenBling]

The D for sure. I'm wearing an I only because i want a bigger stone. No matter how white it faces up, it is a different kind of white compared to D/E type if icy whiteness. Having said that, i am totally happy with the current I stone because it is what i had anticipated. But if money is not a concern, will definitely go for a D...actually, F is good enough.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Hi DF,

The question is somewhat incorrect, as the D will be easier to sell for a higher price, thus underlying value is higher. For that reason, my answer to your question would always be D.

But my colleague, wearing an L-color-princess on her finger, explains in a very clear way, why she loves that diamond and would not want to wear a D, even if money was no objection. What she specifically likes about that L, perfectly cut of course, is that it appears white in specific light conditions (we had an experienced diamond-dealer guess F in Vegas once), while it is clearly more tinted (warm) in other light-environments. Lieve loves that 'personality' of her diamond, and even exaggerates that in comparison, to her, a D is boring.

Of course, this is personal preference.

Live long,

 

[Acinom]

To add: diamond marketeers in combination with supply and demand, made the public believe that the more rare, the better... And since icy white is more rare then heavily tinted...

What I like about PS is that people make informed choices based on their true preferences (and changing preferences), whether it be icy white, slightly warm or very warm. And yes, it's nice to be able to compromise on a certain C in favor of another. But I do believe that individuals have a preference when it comes to picking colors. For clothing, walls in your house and yes, for diamonds as well!

 

[chrono]

I love my step cuts to be in the icy D/E/F range.
I prefer my rounds and cushions to be in the G/H/I range.
I want my old cuts to be in the J/K/L range.

It has little to do with size but how the colour plays out with the cut. It just seems right to me.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

To add: diamond marketeers in combination with supply and demand, made the public believe that the more rare, the better... And since icy white is more rare then heavily tinted...

What I like about PS is that people make informed choices based on their true preferences (and changing preferences), whether it be icy white, slightly warm or very warm. And yes, it's nice to be able to compromise on a certain C in favor of another. But I do believe that individuals have a preference when it comes to picking colors. For clothing, walls in your house and yes, for diamonds as well!

I do wonder if it is correct that icy white is more rare. I wonder who may have true data on this and whether they would be inclined to make them public?

Given that a diamond is a natural product, the notion does not make sense to me. Let's consider yellow-tint only, where the extent of yellow tint is the result of nitrogen-presence in the crystal-structure.

I presume it is true that past Z-color, in the true fancy-color-range thus, one can speak about those diamonds being more rare. If so, it would be weird that in the D-Z-range, one has a pyramid of rarity, with D being most rare, close to Z not rare at all.

It is also not in line with the rough-assortments I see offered. If the general notion about rarity were true, I should see a lot more Cape-color rough on the market.

Just my 2 cents.

Live long,

 

[dk168]

If the other 3Cs are equal, then I would go for a lower colour grade in order to save some money.

DK

 

[Laila619]

I like them because they are cheap in some cases. But cheap makes me really happy, so its not really a compromise I do think some diamonds look better with some tint, though. I can see the patterning and contrast better.

For your example, I too would like to see the two diamonds in question before choosing!

This exactly. I love feeling like I got a good buy! That's why I won't pay for a D IF and would get a J SI with a beautiful cut every time.

Now if a D were offered to me for free then of course I'd take it over a J.

 

[yennyfire]

Sure I'd take the D under those circumstances. But I would never pay more for a D when I could go larger in a near colorless range stone. I may get a cushion or EC eventually, and I will have to go lower in color to afford the size I want. But I will halo the stone to accentuate the tint.

I have thought about what I would buy if I won the lottery or something, and honestly, I'd probably go with F VS1 in a round brilliant, EC or asscher, but I would stick with G-H-I for my AVR or AVC because I sort of like a softer color in old style cuts (or antique stones). And they would all be in the 3 ct range!

I will say that ForteKitty's OEC does not look like L color to me. It is an absolutely gorgeous stone!

As always, I agree with DS!

 

[insured]

To add: diamond marketeers in combination with supply and demand, made the public believe that the more rare, the better... And since icy white is more rare then heavily tinted...

What I like about PS is that people make informed choices based on their true preferences (and changing preferences), whether it be icy white, slightly warm or very warm. And yes, it's nice to be able to compromise on a certain C in favor of another. But I do believe that individuals have a preference when it comes to picking colors. For clothing, walls in your house and yes, for diamonds as well!

Marketing is funny, sometimes it's too successful then they have to find a way to promote the lower colours too. There is something out there for everyone, and amen to listening to their own preference rather than those of others.

Personally, I am sensitive to even the slightest colour and prefer to avoid it (maybe because I'm a Nanook of the North, like whoever else said maybe it was because they were a winter person ), while I don't have a taste for larger stones so am happy to stay small and colourless. I would never spring for a D, E is fine, F maybe although some make me twitchey, lol.

 

[Tekate]

D. no brainer for me.

 

[Rhino]

of the price or b/c of the tint?

If someone offer you a 3 ct D color stone for the same price as a L-M stone which one would you pick?...

I'd take the D, sell it, then purchase the lower color and pocket the difference.

Bahaha... truth is I love them all really.

 

[Demon]

If I was going to sell it, D. If I was going to keep it, L-M. Even lower would be better for me.

 

[Karl_K]

My preference depending about is either white or visibly tinted which exact grade varies with the type of diamond.
In general:
I would take an n over k because it had more tint and would take an I over a k because it has less tint.
There is something about stones that to my eyes look just off color(bad wording but cant think of something better, they are not bad) but not clearly tinted that bug me.

 

[Andelain]

I'd pick the D, and did when I was buying a stone for my everyday ring. My budget turned out to be higher than I needed even for a D-VS stone, so that's what I got. I'd have een gone higher in clarity had WF had one of that size in stock.

I find I tend to like my stones either very white, or very tinted.

 

[Rockdiamond]

To add: diamond marketeers in combination with supply and demand, made the public believe that the more rare, the better... And since icy white is more rare then heavily tinted...

What I like about PS is that people make informed choices based on their true preferences (and changing preferences), whether it be icy white, slightly warm or very warm. And yes, it's nice to be able to compromise on a certain C in favor of another. But I do believe that individuals have a preference when it comes to picking colors. For clothing, walls in your house and yes, for diamonds as well!

I do wonder if it is correct that icy white is more rare. I wonder who may have true data on this and whether they would be inclined to make them public?

Given that a diamond is a natural product, the notion does not make sense to me. Let's consider yellow-tint only, where the extent of yellow tint is the result of nitrogen-presence in the crystal-structure.

I presume it is true that past Z-color, in the true fancy-color-range thus, one can speak about those diamonds being more rare. If so, it would be weird that in the D-Z-range, one has a pyramid of rarity, with D being most rare, close to Z not rare at all.

It is also not in line with the rough-assortments I see offered. If the general notion about rarity were true, I should see a lot more Cape-color rough on the market.

Just my 2 cents.

Live long,

This is a great point.
In my experience, trying to find a super well cut O-P color may actually be more difficult than finding a D. Not in every case- but often. Same for finding Y-Z as compared to Fancy Intense- sometimes the Intense is more readily available.

in terms of what people love- I hear a lot of folks repeat things that Paul's colleague said- many people refer the softer tones of an L as compared to a D.
In fact we also find that many people prefer the softer yellow of Fancy Light Yellow, as compared to a Fancy Intense Yellow.
More costly does not always equate to more desirable in people's eyes.

 

[Circe]

My preference depending about is either white or visibly tinted which exact grade varies with the type of diamond.
In general:
I would take an n over k because it had more tint and would take an I over a k because it has less tint.
There is something about stones that to my eyes look just off color(bad wording but cant think of something better, they are not bad) but not clearly tinted that bug me.

Ambiguous, maybe? It's the exact thing that I LOVE about them.

I'd go for the warmer stone. In fact, I *have* - when I got engaged it was a choice between buying a D family stone from a family member who'd bought it for "investment purposes" back in the day, and buying one of our choosing ... I went for the J, and am still quite glad of it!

 

[junebug17]

I'd take the D - I'll be honest and admit that one reason I chose the stone I did (EGL J, oec) was because of the price - but I guess I'm ok with warmer diamonds because I'm very happy with what I have!

 

[pyramid]

I'd take the D. I would never want an H or below, unless I could sell it and upgrade the color. I would prefer D, E, F or G.
I'd much rather have a G 2 carat than an H, I, J, K or L 3 carat anyday.