UNDERSTAND DIAMOND COLOR AND HOW IT AFFECTS BEAUTY AND PRICE  

GIA Color Grading Scale

1. The vast majority of diamonds may be placed on a scale that ranges from colorless to tinges of yellow, brown, or gray. Colorless diamonds are rarer and more valuable than diamonds with tinges of these colors. 

2. The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) created a Color Grading Scale which designates colorless diamonds with the letter "D" with yellower stones lower in the alphabet. 

3. GIA itself states that the average consumer would probably not see any differences in the first seven GIA color grades (D through J color) if the diamond were mounted and viewed from the top. 

4. Loose diamonds can be more accurately graded when viewed under ideal conditions (a dull white background with a filtered fluorescent light source). 

5. Almost unnoticeable differences in color between two stones can make a difference in value of hundreds or even thousands of dollars. 

6. The American Gem Society Laboratory (AGS) uses the same color grading scale and has the integrity to employ the same grading standards as does GIA.  Color grades issued by GIA and AGS for the same diamonds are almost always identical.

7. The other major gem laboratories utilize the GIA color grading scale but employ lower standards than used by GIA. This results in the over-grading of diamonds where the color grade given by some laboratories will be one to up to five grades higher than the grade from GIA!  

Their grading is generally within one color grade and one clarity grade of GIA standards.

Diamond Color and its Effect on Value

There are several diamond price sheets that appraisers throughout the nation consult to estimate the wholesale value for diamonds. The Rapaport Diamond Report is likely the most widely used. 













1. A 1.00 ct Round Super Ideal Brilliant Cut diamond that is a strict "D" color and "Internally Flawless" clarity from GIA or AGS would currently demand a wholesale price of $24,200 per ct. 

2. A 1.00 ct Round Super Ideal Brilliant Cut diamond that is a strict "I" color and "Internally Flawless" clarity from GIA or AGS would currently demand a wholesale price of about $8,000 per ct. 

3. The price difference of $16,200 per carat is based solely on the almost unnoticeable five color grade difference between the two stones. 


THE DIAMOND COLOR HONESTY GAP

An honest dealer would simply advise his customers to purchase diamonds with GIA and AGS Diamond Grading Reports.  The color grade on a diamond with these certificates would be as accurate as can be expected.

In contrast an unscrupulous and predatory dealer would take advantage of the fact that almost imperceptible differences in color can result in a huge difference in price.  The dealer would simply misrepresent the color grade of the diamonds he sells.  If he sold the diamonds without diamond grading certificates then he could be as accurate or inaccurate as he wants.  It is even easier for the dealer to hide behind the over-graded certificates in the market.  An extremely deceitful dealer would choose to sell diamonds with certificates from European Gem Lab International and European Gem Lab Israel.  These labs are among the worst over-graders in the world.  

There are other gem laboratories that use the GIA Grading Scale do not employ the same strict standards as GIA that are not as bad as European Gem Lab International and European Gem Lab Israel.  Sometimes grading reports issued by stores, "direct diamond importers" or "wholesalers" can also be highly over-graded.

Watch out for the retailer who is the proverbial "wolf in sheep's clothing."  These are dealers who have spent decades selling over-graded diamonds who suddenly claim to have always dealt in strictly graded GIA certified diamonds.

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