How to Buy Fancy Colored Diamonds

Buying fancy colored diamonds is rather different to buying a ‘standard’ white, or colorless diamond, especially when it comes to making a choice based upon how the diamond is ‘rated’.

Traditionally, diamond buyers have been advised that the four most important things to evaluate are the ‘four C’s’ – cut, color, clarity, and carat weight – and that the first, cut is the most important. And for those looking to buy white or colorless diamonds that is absolutely true. These diamonds are prized most for their radiance and sparkling brilliance and the way a diamond has been cut is what determines this.

However, when it comes to fancy colored diamonds color comes first, every time. The cut is very important still, but only in how it manages to enhance the color. Clarity is also less of a factor as occlusions may actually heighten the diamond’s appearance. So it really is all about the color

How the Color of Fancy Colored Diamonds is Graded

The color of a fancy colored diamond is graded according to three standards. Hue – the actual color – as in blue, red, green etc. – tone – how light or dark the color is and saturation, how strong or weak the color is.

The hue of an individual fancy diamond is often described using two, or sometimes more, colors, as that is what it many of them will usually process. Often you’ll see these colors written when describing the diamond with the first color used in adjective form and the second as a noun eg: greenish yellow, pinkish brown. Occasionally though the color split is an absolute 50/50, so they will both by listed as nouns eg: Orange Yellow.

Then there are those rarer diamonds that really do only contain one hue. Their color, of course, is listed alone, and these diamonds do tend to be of the highest values in the world of fancy colored diamonds because they are the rarest. For example, according to the GIA, they know of only four pure Fancy red diamonds in the world (so you are not that likely to see one!)

When it comes to color strength, the diamond is graded along a scale that runs from Fancy Light to Fancy Vivid.

Fancy Light is the term used to describe a diamond with both a weak color saturation and a light tone. Fancy describes a diamond with a somewhat darker tone or stronger saturation, or in some cases, both. Fancy Intense describes a gem with a lighter tone but a significantly stronger saturation. Fancy Vivid also describes a relatively lighter tone, but that tone is coupled with the strongest possible saturation.

To determine the final value, saturation, an expert looks at the distance the color extends from the center of the ‘globe’ or ‘heart of the diamond.

How To Buy Fancy Color Diamonds

As all of this does sound rather confusing to the layperson it stands to reason that it is best to buy fancy colored diamonds with the help of an expert. But where do you find these people – and these gems? In years past, until relatively recently in fact, these gorgeous gems were sold to the public only through the highest end retailers in the world, the likes of Tiffany and Graff.

That is changing though. Now there are a number of excellent online sources of fancy colored diamonds that are far more accessible to people all over the world. The expert help is still there, along with the expert evaluations and advice. It just means that if you live, for example, in London, you don’t have to take the concept of breakfast at Tiffany’s literally and fly to New York just to buy wonderful fancy colored diamonds.

Image Source: ritani.com

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source https://www.asteriadiamonds.com/blog/2018/11/12/how-to-buy-fancy-colored-diamonds/

Who is a Colored Diamond Engagement Ring Suitable For?

For the most part, the less color a diamond has the better. On average, colorless diamonds score the highest grades on the scales used by gem labs to classify diamond quality. And yet oddly enough one of the most famous diamonds of all is anything but colorless. The Hope Diamond, a 45 ct stunner currently housed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, is the second most visited piece of art (because that is what it is now considered) with only the Mona Lisa receiving more visitors in The Louvre. And it’s blue.

Naturally colored diamonds exist in nature and, as the Hope demonstrates admirably, have a special beauty and glamour all of their own. And these colored diamonds are increasingly finding their way into the engagement ring market. It’s due in part to the influence of celebrities who are increasingly turning away from the traditional diamond and opting for a colored diamond engagement ring instead.

A listers who have done so in recent years include Victoria Beckham (a light fancy pink) Kelly Clarkson (fancy yellow) fellow American Idol alum Carrie Underwood (who also went the yellow route) and way back when, before A-Rod came on the scene Jennifer Lopez famously received a stunning fancy pink sparkler from Ben Affleck that was valued at $1.2 million.

But do colored diamond engagement rings make a good choice in real life? Should you be considering opting for one over the standard ‘white’ sparkler? The answer is, basically, maybe.

You may want to think about colored diamond engagement rings if you (or your fiancee if you are a gent) for any of the following descriptions:

Very Fashion Forward with a Love of the Unique

A colored diamond engagement certainly sets its wearer apart from the crowd. For the woman who loves fashion, loves being fashionable but in a rather cutting edge or unique way then a colored diamond engagement ring may be a perfect choice, especially if it paired with a less traditional setting choice like a deep rose gold.

Drawn to Glamour and Romance

Do you love the glamour and glitz of Old Hollywood? Do you love the various royal families of the world with awe, especially when it comes to their jewelry? Do you prefer to be dressed up rather than being dressed down? If so, a colored diamond may be just the glamorous accessory you need.

Have a Signature Color

Some people simply have a signature color, a color they love and incorporate in all kinds of aspects of their life. Other people are simply associated with a color thanks to their looks. Think Elizabeth Taylor’s famous violet eyes or Rita Hayworth’s stunning flame red hair. Thanks to the fact that there are more colored diamond options available than you might think the chances are very good that those with a signature color can find something to match their favourite hue from among the many different colored diamond engagement rings available today.

Looking for a Meaning

Some people do subscribe to the theory that gemstones of different kinds have a certain meaning attached to them, or can be used to convey a particular quality. This is true of colored diamonds for sure. For example, a yellow diamond is often said to represent stability and tranquility, while purple or pink diamonds symbolize great passion and romance (red diamonds are said to be the most ‘erotic’ of all but they are also very rare) If such things matter to you – as they do to many – then a colored diamond engagement ring can be used to convey these qualities to the world.

The post Who is a Colored Diamond Engagement Ring Suitable For? appeared first on Asteria Magazine.

source https://www.asteriadiamonds.com/blog/2018/11/06/who-is-a-colored-diamond-engagement-ring-suitable-for/

Colored Diamond Engagement Rings: Why Pure Stones Don’t Cut It Anymore

If you think pure diamonds are expensive, you’re not the only one. You can even say “overrated” to these pure, clear stones because colored diamond engagement rings, accessories, and other diamond-related materials are in nowadays. Laboratories and jewelers value diamonds depending on their clarity. Fortunately, this makes colored diamond engagement rings and other accessories affordable for those who find them more attractive than their colorless variants. Owning a pure diamond matters only if you want to pawn the jewel someday. However, nobody pawns engagement rings. Instead, you will want it to have a special meaning between you and your partner. Therefore, colored rings are the best choice for you. Color Equals Personality Orange diamonds exude the meanings of courage, energy and enthusiasm. To present a colored diamond engagement ring of the orange shade to your partner tells them you will face every challenge with the same energy and enthusiasm of your consistent love. On the other hand, red and pinkish diamonds, which are rare, evoke strength, passion, confidence and power. Anyone who gives pink diamond engagement rings wants their partner to know they will value their love for all eternity upon their unification in marriage. Brown diamonds symbolize order, stability, and perspective. It evokes a natural understanding of stabilization and practicality in marriage. Therefore, in presenting this ring to your partner, you tell them you will work for the stability of your life and fulfilling both your dreams as you enter into your lifetime partnership and love. Every colored diamond engagement ring has their respective meanings. In this light, they’re better than expensive pure diamond rings. Looks Aesthetically Exciting Aside from their innate meanings, colored diamond engagement rings look beautiful than a plain and clear diamond. Pure diamonds have their respective place in any person’s accessories package. Additionally, they will suit any type of outfit but lack personality that will improve the overall clothing aesthetic of a person. For example, a blue diamond ring has a subtle shade of blue that makes it easy to wear even with flaming red dresses and gowns. The variety of yellow diamond shades complements almost any type of clothing better than pure, transparent diamonds. In this light, having pure diamonds is out of style — get a colored diamond engagement ring instead. An Affordable Price Colored diamond engagement rings have a lower price tag compared to pure transparent diamonds because of their elemental corruption. However, these corruptive elements give the diamonds personality and unique meanings. In fact, laboratories can treat diamonds and re-color them. Some laboratories manufacture impure but colored diamonds, which fetch for low prices in the market. This is an excellent alternative especially if you’re on a budget in getting a colored diamond engagement ring. Favored By Royalties and Celebrities Celebrities and royal families wear blue diamond rings because it represents regality and a colloquial sense of purity. A transparent diamond lacks this particular personality despite being objectively pure. In this light, owning a colored diamond engagement ring is the best choice to have. Just like the celebrities and public figures who wear diamonds, the differently-colored diamonds evoke the personalities of these individuals. Therefore, get a stone that reflects your fiancé’s personality to make things interesting and exciting! Never ‘Blood Diamonds’ Pure transparent diamonds have a high likelihood of being “blood diamonds,” which illegal organizations sell from stolen and pilfered mines across impoverished nations. On the other hand, miners and laboratories find or create colored diamonds. In this light, you can say no colored diamond engagement ring is a “blood diamond.” Wrapping Up If you have yet to make a decision, then always know that having a colored diamond engagement ring is better than a pure transparent one not because it is more affordable. Colored diamonds have more personalities and have characteristics that reflect the couples they bind together. Re-shared Content. Original Source: http://www.luxfashionstyle.com/colored-diamond-engagement-rings-why-pure-stones-dont-cut-it-anymore/