When mounted, can you tell the difference between colors?

[Shoopy]

We’re deciding between an F, G, or H. To an untrained eye, can you tell the difference in the colors? My best friend has an I colored diamond and I can sometimes detect the yellow in it when the light hits it a certain way. Any thoughts?

Also, I am getting nothing larger than a carat (not into big jewelry…but not going smaller than 3/4). I prefer not to go below VS2 but would you be able to see inclusions on a small diamond if we were to get an SI1? Or should we stick with the VS2?

We’re trying to get the biggest/best quality for our budget.

 

[pocahontas]

Welcome to PS! Regarding colour, I’m incredibly colour sensitive so yes, I do notice the warmth of a G-coloured stone. However, I seem to be in the minority and most of the experts around here will tell you that they’d comfortably go with G, H and I coloured stones. Have you taken a look at these various colours in person? I think most would agree this is a good place to start. As far as clarity goes, again this is pretty subjective. Different people will tell you different things. Like you, I always thought the lowest I’d go was VS2. But, after following the advice of the local experts here on PS, I decided to check out some eye-clean (that’s the key) SI1’s and fell in love. In the end, my FI and I chose a 1.0ct D/SI1. Good luck!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/29/2008 11:30:31 AM
Author:fieryred33143

We’re deciding between an F, G, or H. To an untrained eye, can you tell the difference in the colors? My best friend has an I colored diamond and I can sometimes detect the yellow in it when the light hits it a certain way. Any thoughts?

Also, I am getting nothing larger than a carat (not into big jewelry…but not going smaller than 3/4). I prefer not to go below VS2 but would you be able to see inclusions on a small diamond if we were to get an SI1? Or should we stick with the VS2?

We’re trying to get the biggest/best quality for our budget.

There may be a bit of subtle difference to some between F and H, possibly not so much between G and H, but I would have thought that most people wouldn't be able to discern much if any difference. A reliably graded I colour is where the industry believe that the average person may be able to see a touch of warmth, particularly from the side, but there are many happy I and J owners here! The best way is to look at some similarly graded, size shape and cut diamonds of the same colour grades to see what appeals to you.

Perhaps a G might be a good middleground for you. With SI clarities, they are not created equal, some will be eyeclean and others may not, however ' eyecleanliness' is subjective according to different visions etc. Best thing is to let your vendor know your expectations regarding your eyeclean diamond, so that you are on the same page.

 

[niceice]

Date: 5/29/2008 11:30:31 AM
Author:fieryred33143
When mounted, can you tell the difference between colors?

That''s a trick question, right?

Kidding... I''m kidding... Of course you''re not asking those of us who grade for a living, I just couldn''t resist.

Most people have difficulty splitting color grades that are one step apart, such as F/G/H but can differentiate between F/H with a little bit of coaching (initially) and the right lighting scenario. The question is "how color sensitive are you?" and does the little bit of color that you can occasionally detect in your friend''s "I" color diamond bother you? There is not a right answer to which color is better than another because the tonal value of a diamond is a matter of personal preference... I tend to prefer diamonds in the cooler tones, such as D - G, and my Mom prefers diamonds with warmer tones, such as K/L/M.

It is important to note that diamonds cut for optimum visual performance tend to sparkle more than diamonds which are poorly cut, which has the effect of helping to mask the body color of the diamond from a top down perspective which is why there are a lot of happy people here on PS with J/K/L and warmer color diamonds!

 

[Allison D.]

Fiery, is your friend''s I-colored diamond a top-make stone?

I ask because a well-cut (fine make) I-colored stone with an AGS or GIA grading report appears MUCH different from the typical I-colored stone you''d find at the local mall store graded by a softer grading lab.

In order to determine how color sensitive you might be, I''d really recommend finding a few local jewelers who focus on fine-make stones; go and compare colors then.

Keep in mind that diamonds are graded in the face down position, but that''s not how they are worn. When worn face up, many people can''t discern body color in near colorless stones (G/H/I/J).

 

[ahappygirl]

You''ve been given good advice above. I just wanted to add that the cut/ shape also make a difference. My well cut RB G looks completely white face up but I"m sensitive to color and if I got an EC or asscher I would probably get a D, E or F since the color shows more (as well as inclusions, often) in these cuts. Again, depends on the person, how the stone is set, etc. There are lots of I colored step cuts I drool over on PS, though!

 

[JulieN]

Date: 5/29/2008 12:46:46 PM
Author: niceice There is not a right answer to which color is better than another because the tonal value of a diamond is a matter of personal preference... I tend to prefer diamonds in the cooler tones, such as D - G, and my Mom prefers diamonds with warmer tones, such as K/L/M.

Todd, I don''t think you can say cool tones and warm tones. Lighter tones and darker tones. Cool and warm describe colors.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/29/2008 2:27:26 PM
Author: JulieN

Date: 5/29/2008 12:46:46 PM
Author: niceice There is not a right answer to which color is better than another because the tonal value of a diamond is a matter of personal preference... I tend to prefer diamonds in the cooler tones, such as D - G, and my Mom prefers diamonds with warmer tones, such as K/L/M.

Todd, I don''t think you can say cool tones and warm tones. Lighter tones and darker tones. Cool and warm describe colors.

It seems from this thread that tone is a term used by some professionals when describing diamond colour or lack of.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/is-most-color-grading-the-grading-of-tone.43135/

 

[Shoopy]

Thank you all so much for all of the great advice. I have not gone to a store to see the difference in colors. My fiance proposed without the ring because I am super picky when it comes to jewelry (all the more why I love him...he deals with my crazy moods!! LOL). We went to the store together and I fell in LOVE with a .71 F VS2 diamond. Unfortuantely, when we went into the store, we both knew NOTHING of diamonds. Another buyer next to us was spitting out all of these different words about cuts and clarity, while we sat there with a "duh" look on our faces LOL. So I made the executive decision that we should do some research before buying as this is an investment and that''s how I stumbled on PS¢¾.

Now that I have read a lot of posts on here, I know there are a lot of questions that we need to ask before purchasing. Again, thanks so much!

 

[kcgunesq]

Date: 5/29/2008 1:33:12 PM
Author: Allison D.
Fiery, is your friend''s I-colored diamond a top-make stone?


I ask because a well-cut (fine make) I-colored stone with an AGS or GIA grading report appears MUCH different from the typical I-colored stone you''d find at the local mall store graded by a softer grading lab. [snip]

.

Allison,

Not to correct you in any way, but hopefully to expand your point for the original poster, I believe what you are saying is that (a) a well cut stone ("fine make") will appear more white due its superior cut, AND (b) that the softer grading labs common to mall stores are very generous with color, to the point that an "I" from one may really be a "K" and almost certainly a "J" from GIA. So before she worries about the color of an "I" based upon her friends ring, it would be helpful to know if its a true "I" or really j/k.

Personally, I like G and above for EC''s with a strong preference for an E/F sweetspot. But in RB, OEC''s etc, I doubt you''d notice an "I" in a well cut stone.

 

[Gypsy]

I''m not very color sensitive and I like warmer stones appeal to me as much as ''whiter'' stones.

When I was giving my fiance specs I didn''t know very much about diamonds, just knew that step cuts show color more and so I told him to go F/G in color.

If you are looking for a Round Brilliant from a PS vendor, and intend to get an ''ideal'' cut diamond, go to a Hearts on Fire dealer to determine your color tolerance... I personally think they give you the best idea of color in ''ideal'' cuts. If you don''t have a HOF dealer and can see the color in an I (are you sure you aren''t see the reflection from something yellow? Like a wall or a shirt BTW) I''d probably try to stick to a G. Less $$ than an F but still very white. Most our vendors have 30 days return policies.