Hi All!
The 1.71 is , yes, still here after all these years...
I think it needs a halo......
MORE ON COLOR GRADING:
The differences between adjacent grades are quite subtle.
As we get further down the scale, the grades get wider.
The small difference between them is why all three grades of D, E, and F are considered "Colorless" by the GIA.
The chart below illustrates ( roughly) how the sequence of shades get wider the more color the diamond has.
Let's look at the way GIA categorizes the colors.
"Near colorless" goes from G down to J.
G and H represent your "mid-line" colorless diamonds.
I and J will show a bit of tint to a sensitive eye, and are priced well below the colorless grades.
It almost seems that GIA places the "Colorless", "Near Colorless" and "Faint" labels in such a way that K is not exactly "faint", nor is it "Near Colorless"
K, and the next grades- L-M-N can look quite colorless in some cases.
Other cases can have these "off white" grades looking quite dull.
Prices:
D-E-F will command the highest prices- all things being equal. If course things are never really equal, but G-H are more moderately priced, with I-and J bringing up the rear in "White Diamond" pricing.
Desirability:
Of course D-E-F colors are priced above the lower colors- but does that make them more desirable?
It's important to remember that a badly cut D color will be dull too.
A diamond's color does not guarantee it's desirability. Another very important point about color is a person's ability to see the subtle shades.
When I was learning to grade diamonds in a group setting it was quite obvious that some people could simply not see the difference between the colors very well- even if they could see imperfections, and judge the cut.
Therefore certain people were assigned the task of color grading.
They were all women ( this was the '70's)- and worked early.
It's actually much more difficult to grade for color later in the day, or at night.
This all supports my position that the differences in color are subtle if one is comparing two well cut diamonds.
I also feel that even the subtle M,N, O-P and Q-R warm whites can be knock outs.
A diamond's shape, and it's effect on color:[/b]
I have heard it said that one should avoid certain shapes below a certain color.
BALDERDASH.
It's true that some diamonds will show more color that others.
It's even possible to accurately say that some shapes show color more than others.
It does not follow that "all Emerald Cuts below H look tinted."
The shape does affect color. But this is more of a consideration when one is looking for
more color.
For example: Round Brilliant is a shape that maximizes white light return.
That's why you won't see a lot of Natural Fancy Colored Diamonds cut to Round Brilliant Cut.
Bottom line on shapes and colors:
An Emerald Cut, Round Brilliant, Pear Shape, Radiant Cut, Princess, Oval, Asscher or Marquise
can look amazing in any color of the alphabet!
colored diamonds
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