The Diamond Guide
Diamond Colour
Colour grading measures the absence of colour. The scale runs from D, which is colourless, down to Z, by which point a warm tint is obvious. Most of what the scale measures, you cannot see.
Where the scale is and where your eye is
D, E and F are colourless. G through J are near colourless, and in a finished ring most people cannot tell them apart from a D without something to compare against.
Below that the warmth becomes visible, which is not automatically a problem. It is a preference.
The metal decides more than you think
A stone set in yellow or rose gold borrows warmth from the metal. An H or an I can look perfectly white in a yellow setting, while the same stone in platinum reads warmer against a cold white background.
This is why choosing the colour grade before choosing the metal is backwards. They are one decision.
Shape plays a part
Step cuts like emerald and asscher show body colour more readily than brilliant cuts, because they return light in broad flashes instead of scattering it. In a brilliant cut, a little warmth hides in the sparkle.
See it for yourself.
Albert goes through the stone and the grading report with you, under magnification, before anything is decided. By appointment, downtown Toronto.
Request Appointment