Colour
Forevermark inscribes diamonds from D to L colour (from D to Y-Z color for 2.00ct and larger) as well as all fancy colours. In this scale, ‘colourless’ diamonds D, E, and F show so little difference that it takes an expert with sample diamonds of known grades to distinguish one from another.
Colour is a crucial element in a diamond’s appearance. Apart from exceedingly rare fancy colour diamonds, the rarest diamonds are colourless. De Beers Forevermark diamonds are scrutinised to determine micro-variations in depth of colour, from light yellow to colourless. Universally, this is known as the D to Z colour scale. De Beers Forevermark inscribes diamonds from D to L (from D to Y-Z color for 2.00ct and larger) as well as all fancy colours. In this scale, ‘colourless’ diamonds D, E, and F show so little difference that it takes an expert with master diamonds of known grades to distinguish one from another.
Near colourless G, H, I begin to show faint hints of colour only when compared with diamonds higher up the scale. J, K and L will show hints of colour when compared against a pure white background. Colour variations can be so slight that colour grading is done by an expert under controlled lighting conditions using a master set for accuracy. The light performance of well-cut colourless to slightly tinted diamonds masks their colour to the extent that there is virtually no perceptible difference in the top 5 colours once diamonds are set in jewellery. G-H colour diamonds perform equally well as D, E and F in a jewel.
K-L colours still appear or face up white when mounted in yellow gold. The setting and metal can be used to accentuate or de-emphasize colour. If you are buying a loose diamond, place the diamond on the top of your hand and compare it with a similar diamond already mounted in jewellery.
Fancy coloured diamonds are extremely rare. They can be found in shades of green, blue, yellow, orange, pink or – rarest of all – red. The value of fancy coloured diamonds is determined by the intensity of the colour which can significantly outweigh the effects of other 3Cs. Those De Beers Forevermark diamonds higher up the colour scale are rarer than those lower on the scale, which will affect price. Colourless diamonds are rarer in nature than yellow tinted, thus more valued. Pink and blue are valued considerably more than colourless.