Diamonds are normally thought of as sparkling, scintillating, colorless gems. It is this colorlessness that allows for the incredible and breathtaking play of light that we all have come to associate with the diamond. As you are probably already aware, the color of diamond is primarily dependent on inclusions and foreign matter within the diamond's crystalline structure. This foreign matter absorbs light, rather than allowing it to pass through unimpeded, thus giving some diamonds varying degrees of color.

In the normal range of the diamond color-grading scale, the more colorless a diamond is, the higher it is graded on the scale. In terms of pricing, diamonds with a higher grade will be more costly, while diamonds rating lower on the scale, thus having more color, will normally prove to be less costly. However, when a diamond has a great deal of color, or extremely high color saturation, it may rate the grade of FA, or Fancy. These are the fancy grades of diamond color, and with these the cost of the diamond may actually go higher than the finest of the D grade of diamonds.

In order to establish which diamonds are which colors, diamond color-grading scales have been created. Most of these color-grading scales were not founded with any measure of scientific rigor, however, and so are no longer used. Today, there are far fewer diamond color-grading scales in use, with GIA's being the most used and well respected, allowing anyone to view the results of rigorous testing for color-grading in a written report for a particular diamond. GIA's grading scale ranges from the colorless D to the highly colored Z. It is important to be aware that while most diamonds are graded on a scale measuring the varying degrees of their lack of color, or whiteness, this is not the only sought after type of diamond. There are those diamonds in which various colors are prominent enough to arouse desire for their rarity and distinguished characteristics.

Color is the effect of light wavelengths stimulating the color cones in the retina of the viewer. In the case of diamonds, as they are clear objects, the color that we see from a particular diamond depends on which wavelengths of light's color spectrum are absorbed, if any, as the light passes through the diamond. The flash of color that appears within a diamond is the result of the light that is passing through the diamond having some of its wavelengths absorbed by chemical particles trapped within the diamond's crystalline matrix.

In regards to most diamonds, a lack of color is the most desirable of qualities. What most of us think of when we think of the perfect diamond is of one that shines with a clear brilliance, sparkling and catching the eyes of all who are present. The perfectly clear (or white) diamond is a rarity in the diamond world, and so they carry a large cost. Most diamonds have foreign substances, usually in the form of trace minerals, trapped within their crystalline structure. It is these foreign atoms that absorb certain wavelengths in light's color spectrum, casting a measure of color onto and within the diamond, thus producing a certain color in the diamond. The actual color of the diamond is therefore dependent on which foreign element or elements are present, as well as the quantity of the foreign element(s) within the diamond's structure.

A diamond's color is rooted in the earth from which it comes. Diamonds are formed over millions of years, as the result of carbon deposits placed under enormous geologic pressure and incredible heat. Throughout the growth of the diamond, and the diamond's eventual push towards the earth's surface, the diamond is subjected to naturally occurring radiation, geologic movement that can twist the crystalline structure of the diamond, and the potential addition of impurities. During the diamond's formation nearby elements of other minerals are often mixed in with the carbon deposit. As the diamond deposit cools, and the crystalline structure that we recognize as a diamond begins to grow, some of these other minerals become trapped within the growing crystal.

In fancy colored diamonds, such as in Canary yellow diamonds, where there are large numbers of nitrogen atoms scattered throughout the diamond. These nitrogen atoms absorb light, giving the Canary yellow diamonds their vivid yellow color. The same goes for all of the other color diamonds, simply with alternate atoms trapped within the diamond.

The inclusion of foreign atoms is just one way in which diamonds can become colored during their formation. They can also become colored due to irregular growth patterns arising from pressure as the diamond is forced to the surface of the earth, as is found in certain pinks and blues. In the case of greens, it is the natural radiation found within the earth that gives them their color.

Once the diamond is fully formed and has been forced to the surface of the earth, these trapped foreign objects, such as trace mineral deposits, gases and liquids, become a part of the diamond's crystalline structure. The diamond's crystalline structure is clear, or colorless, and so does not have the ability to absorb wavelengths of light. This is why they are so bright and are able to scintillate. It is trapped objects, such as nitrogen, which absorb certain light wavelengths, making the diamonds have color.

Much of the newly found interest in fancy color diamonds is due to the discovery of a relatively large load of pink diamonds in the Argyle mine in Australia. While the quantity of pink diamonds coming out of the mine is still miniscule in comparison to the quantity of other diamond types, it is still far more than had been available for years. Of course there is another aspect that needs to be understood concerning the current interest in fancy colored diamonds, and that is the exclusivity of fancy colored diamonds. Fancy colored diamonds are far more rare than any other diamond type. It is this rarity that adds to their value, as those who possess a richly colored diamond hold a king among kings in the gem world.

Tips on Colorless Diamonds

It is important to be aware that as you step down the color grade scale, the diamond's overall cost will decrease. It is also important to note there is a significant reduction in cost per carat as you move from D to E, and from F to G, and so on. Knowing this, you should carefully and honestly assess what grade of color you will be happy with. Always keep in mind, the majority of the untrained population can hardly distinguish the difference between a GIA G and H, and likewise a GIA F and G, so if they look the same a letter grade difference in color could translate to hundreds of dollars in savings.

Another factoid concerning color, due to the differences in training and diligence amongst the laboratories some grade more accurately than others. The price difference between an EGL D and a GIA D is due to the lack of accuracy on EGL's part. Typically an EGL or IGI certificate will grade color inaccurately by one to two color grades making the pristine D color drop down to the bottom of the "colorless" group as an F. This is really most important when considering diamonds that are closer to the lower color grades, such as a G, which if graded by EGL could have a slight yellow tint (which is not indicative of a true G color diamond).

Finally, consider the setting of the stone itself. Once the stone is set its level of colorlessness can be enhanced or detracted from, depending on the metal used for the setting and the size of the stone. A well-chosen setting can make a stone with faint yellow coloring appear to be colorless. In other words, a white metal can enhance warm yellow tones in a diamond, whereas yellow gold can cause a diamond to appear more colorless than it actually is.