|
Diamond
Color
Color
Categories of Small Diamonds
These
categories are arranged below from the most expensive to the
least expensive. Supply and demand are the main determinants
of the price structure.
Colorless
(also called exceptional white or collection). Completely
colorless diamonds are so rare and expensive that jewelers
will seldom use them for their regular inventory pieces. Often
these diamonds are reserved for custom-made jewelry.
Near
colorless (also called white). This is the second most expensive
color group for diamonds. When these diamonds are mounted
in jewelry, even expert graders may find it difficult or impossible
to distinguish them from colorless diamonds. Fine quality
stores usually have some jewelry with white diamonds in their
inventory. Discount stores generally can't afford to use these
diamonds in their jewelry.
Faint
yellow (also called top silver). Diamonds with a tinge of
yellow are fairly common. Consequently, they are less expensive
than colorless diamonds and often used in discount jewelry.
This does not mean they are inferior. Some people prefer a
yellow tint because it conveys a feeling of warmth or because
it might look good with their skin color. Fine quality jewelry
stores also use these diamonds in their jewelry in order to
meet the needs of all their clientele.
In
order to see the difference between colorless and faint yellow
diamonds when they are mounted in jewelry, you will probably
have to put jewelry pieces with the two qualities side by
side. The yellowish diamonds will blend in more with the gold
and the colorless diamonds will provide more of a contrast
and probably look brighter.
Light
brown (also called brownies). Brownish tinted diamonds are
the least expensive color of diamonds used for jewelry. If
diamond rings are being promoted at unusually low prices,
there is a good chance that brownish goods have been used.
This does not mean that these rings are of inferior quality.
It only means that the store can afford to offer them at a
lower price because it paid less (probably 30% to 50% less)
for brownish diamonds than for white diamonds. One promotional
term for brownish tinted diamonds is champagne diamonds.
Adeep
cavity
Impossible
to distinguish
Alphabetical
letters ranging
Rays
vary according
Chemical
or plastic
Indication
that color
The
wholesale price
|
