Diamonds: Radiant Cut Diamonds

Author:  //  Category: Diamond Articles

The Radiant cut diamond was created by Henry Grossbard in 1977. The radiant cut diamond combines the elegant shape of the emerald cut, with the brilliance of a round brilliant cut diamond. Radiant cut diamonds come in a wonderful squarish or rectangular cut shape. While not as popular as the other fancy cut diamonds, Radiant cut diamonds are adored by many diamond connoisseurs.

Radiant Cut Diamond is considered the father of ‘branded’ fancy cut diamonds with a birth over 20 years ago. The Radiant Cut Diamond is the first rectangular cut to have a complete brilliant facet pattern applied to both the crown and pavilion.

Radiant cut diamonds have an eye-catching “kaleidoscope” effect that have more “points of light” reflected within the diamond than any other cut.The Radiant Cut diamond: is a straight-edged rectangular or square stone with cut corners. The Radiant cut is a patented cut with 70 facets and is often confused with a “cut corners Princess / Quadrillions”. The cut corners are distinguishing of this fancy shaped diamond, and they aid in the brilliance of the diamond. Radiant cut diamonds are used mainly as centre stones for rings and pendants and look beautiful when set with baguette or trilliant cut shoulder stones.When choosing a Radiant cut diamond consider the colour grade, colour grades below J can cause the colour to appear slightly more visible in the corners. Radiant cut diamonds are cut to either a square or rectangular shape and it is a matter of personal preference.For a Radiant cut diamond that is square in shape a length to width ratio of 1:1.10 is typical, if you are looking for a Radiant cut diamond that is more rectangular then a length to width ratio of 1.20 – 1.50 is best. Due to its large facet, it is important to consider a stone that has a great color and clarity rating. Like other similar cuts, the Radiant cut diamond will show inclusions and imperfections very easily so make sure the stone is of the right quality before purchasing.

Radiant cut diamonds are great for engagement rings and wedding rings, as well as other high quality jewelry. If you are interested in squarish or rectangular diamond cuts, you might also want to consider the Cushion cut diamond, Emerald cut diamond or the Asscher cut diamond.

You may copy this article and place it on your own website, as long as you do not change it and include this resource box including the live linksCopyright © 2008 Diamond Imports Pty Ltdhttp://www.diamondimports.com.au

Diamonds: Cushion Cut Diamonds

Author:  //  Category: Diamond Articles

The Cushion Cut Diamond was an extremely popular diamond shape a century ago. Cushion cut diamonds have a romantic look about them and have once again become extremely popular as a diamond choice especially with Hollywood movies stars and celebrities. Cushion cut diamonds have a romantic look about them unlike other fancy shape diamonds. Cushion cut diamonds have lended themselves to the ‘Halo’ and ‘micro pave’ ring designs which are at present hugely popular. Cushion cut diamonds are also sometimes referred to as “pillow-cut” diamonds. Modern cushion cuts are based on the antique cushion cuts, which are a combination of a round and square outline with a softened square or “pillow” shape.

Some of the most famous diamonds in the world are cushion cut diamonds. These include the Hope Diamond, the Cullinan II and the Tiffany Yellow.

Cushion cut diamonds have rounded corners and larger facets to increase their brilliance. These larger facets highlight the diamond’s clarity, so if you choose a Cushion cut diamond with a SI clarity grade, be sure to review the clarity plot on the diamond certificate.Cushion cut diamonds can vary in the degree of rectangular shape that they have. For cushion cut diamonds that have an almost square look but elegant and classical charm a length to width ratio of 1.1 – 1.2 is best.

Cushion cut diamonds are an interesting alternative to oval shape diamonds or a modern princess cut diamond. The cushion cut diamond has the ability to display a high degree of returning light and brilliance and a sparkle which is dazzling. Cushion cut diamonds come to life, yet they still possess a dreamy quality. You may copy this article and place it on your own website, as long as you do not change it and include this resource box including the live links Copyright © 2008 Diamond Imports Pty Ltd

http://www.diamondimports.com.au

What is a Good Diamond Cut?

Author:  //  Category: Diamond Articles

Rough diamonds can be cut by experts to virtually any shape and size

 

Some of the most popular shapes are round, oval, princess, emerald, marquise, pear, heart, triangle and radiant. The cut of a polished diamond is the only human contribution to its beauty, fire and brilliance.

Because of its extraordinary ability to reflect light, the round brilliant diamond is the most popular shape today.

 

Cut determines amount of reflected light that exits through the top of a diamond. The better the cut, the more light exits through the top, the more brilliant and beautiful the diamond.

 

Is cut important? Many gemologists consider cut to be the most important diamond characteristic:

 

 

So, why don’t we hear more about cut? Diamond sellers prefer to talk about carat weight, color and clarity. That’s because those measures are relatively simple to explain:

 

 

Even the most reputable gemological laboratories try to avoid grading cut. In fact, only the AGS (American Gemological Society) has an established system for grading cut. Hopefully, the GIA, EGL, UGL will follow their lead.

 

How is cut graded? First, let’s look at the parts of a diamond that are considered when evaluating cut:

Diameterthe width of the diamond as measured through the girdleTablethe largest facet of a diamondCrownthe top portion of the diamond; the crown extends from the girdle to the tableGirdlethe narrow band around the widest part of the diamond; the girdle separates the crown from the pavilionPavilionthe bottom portion of the diamond; the pavilion extends from the girdle to the culetCuletthe facet at the tip of the diamond; diamonds of excellent cut have culets that are invisible to the naked eyeDepththe height of the diamond; depth is measured from the table to the culetTo determine the diamond’s cut grade:

 

 

The symmetry of the diamond is evaluated The final cut grade of the diamond is determined by its weakest component. For example, an ‘extremely thin’ girdle will result in a poor cut grade, even if every other measurement is ideal.

 

Remember: Only about 3% of polished diamonds are ideal cuts. They are exquisite and rare gems that reflect back 96% or more of the light that enters through the table.

 

No other diamond characteristic has so much impact on price!

 

To see a different types of diamond cuts please visit http://www.diamondswest.com

Diamonds: Princess Cut Diamonds

Author:  //  Category: Diamond Articles

The Princess Cut Diamond is a brilliant style diamond shape with sharp, uncut corners. It is typically cut square although there are sometimes princess cut diamonds that have a rectangular shape.

The princess cut is the most important new cut or shape for diamonds since the invention or perfection of the modern brilliant cut over 60 years ago. The princess cut diamond is effectively a square version of the round brilliant cut, and is known technically as a square modified brilliant cut.

The princess cut was originally created by Israel Itzkowitz in 1979 at Ambar Diamonds in Los Angeles. After three years of optical research the princess cut was developed. It was a square diamond from the girdle up that had faceting similar to that of a round brilliant cut diamond from the girdle down. This accounts for the fire and brilliance seen in princess cut diamonds.Princess cut diamonds are the most popular non-round diamond. They have a beautiful brilliance and a modern square shape that accentuates a diamond’s fire rather than its luster. Princess cut diamonds have become a favourite diamond choice for engagement rings.

The princess cut diamond is usually less expensive than a round brilliant cut diamond of the same carat weight because a diamond cutter usually does not need to shave off as much diamond weight from the rough diamond. This ability to retain more crystal weight makes this shape popular amongst diamond cutters and therefore less expensive than round brilliant cut diamonds.

The princess cut diamond is normally close to a square with a + or – 10% deviation, but it may come in more elongated versions. Try to avoid extremely thin girdles which are prone to chipping when being set. For a princess cut diamond that is square, a length to width ratio between 1:0 – 1:10 is best, if you prefer a more rectangular shape then a length to width ratio above 1:11 is best.

A Princess Cut Diamond generally has 76 facets, giving it more brilliance and fire than the round brilliant. Princess cut diamonds are the most popular non-round diamond. They have a beautiful brilliance and a modern square shape that accentuates a diamond’s fire rather than its luster. Princess cut diamonds have become a favourite diamond choice for engagement rings.

 

You may copy this article and place it on your own website, as long as you do not change it and include the live links.

Copyright © 2008 Diamond Imports Pty Ltdhttp://www.diamondimports.com.au

The Four C’s of Diamond Quality

Author:  //  Category: Diamond Articles

Perhaps you’ve heard of the “Four C’s” of diamond quality. Each and every unique diamond in the world has its own defining characteristics, and understanding each of them will help you make an informed decision when you come into a Spence Diamonds showroom.
Cut
Nothing is more important to the brilliance and sparkle of a diamond than its cut, as it is responsible for around 40% of a diamond’s price. A well cut diamond will reflect light from one facet to another and back through the top, creating a dramatic sparkling effect that only a diamond can emit. Only the most skilled diamond cutters can shape a diamond with exacting precision, to release its full brilliance, taking into account such factors as proportions, finish, and of course symmetry.
Colour
When examining a diamond, be sure to view it “loose” (unmounted) under a neutral light source, to get the best view of its colour. In the “normal colour” range, the colour of a diamond is rated on a scale that goes from D to Z, with D being the whitest diamond available, and Z being a tinted, light yellow colour. For most jewelry, a colour grade from G to J is usually best.
Why “D to Z?” Before this rating system was invented, diamond professionals used many other symbols (including liberal uses of “A” and “AA”) to rate colour, so the creators of the new system started at D, to avoid any confusion with the outdated ratings systems.
There are also various coloured diamond choices available today, but when you are looking specifically at a white diamond, you should understand how this scale works, and where your diamond of choice is rated on the spectrum. Also, the mounting of a diamond can impact its appearance. A more yellowish diamond will appear whiter next to a gold setting, whereas a white gold setting will make the diamond look less pure if you compare the two side-by-side.
Clarity
The clarity of a diamond refers to the number and nature of inclusions or blemishes that are visible when you view it under a microscope. Some diamond professionals refer to clarity as “purity” or “quality,” but neither of those start with “C,” so we’ll stick with clarity.
A blemish is an imperfection on the surface of a diamond, and an inclusion is a small spot contained within it. Diamonds with little or no imperfections such as these are rarer, and much more valuable. Five factors determine a diamond’s clarity: the size, number, position, nature and “relief” of the inclusions. Relief describes the level of visibility of these imperfections. The clarity scale of a diamond is the easiest to understand: It varies from Flawless, to Internally Flawless, and from there goes to VVS, VS, SI and I. These are easy to understand and remember, because they stand for: Very Very Slightly included, Very Slightly included, Slightly Included, and Included. Each of these designations has varying levels as well, but getting a handle on these will help you understand the importance of clarity in a diamond’s grading.
An “I” rated diamond will have inclusions that are visible to the naked eye, whereas even a skilled diamond expert would need a microscope to see the inclusions in an “SI” diamond. Because of this, diamonds rated “SI” usually represent the best value for your investment.
Important Note: Skilled jewelry makers often mount a diamond so as to mask an inclusion from sight, helping it appear more flawless. Before buying a diamond, be sure to examine it loose under a microscope to get a better idea of its clarity.
Carat
The last and most obvious characteristic that a diamond is measured by is its Carat (abbreviated “ct.”). A carat is a measure of weight, and it takes 142 of them to make an ounce.
Interesting bits of trivia:
You can mail 142 one-carat diamonds with just a single postage stamp (Not that you would want to)!
The majority of diamonds used in jewelry weigh less than one carat.
Obviously, a diamond’s carat weight can have a big effect on its value. When written, carat weights are expressed as decimal numbers: 1.00 ct., 0.48 ct., 1.57 cts., and so on. In a piece which has more than one diamond, often times you will see the total carat weight of the diamonds shown.
At Spence Diamonds, each and every diamond comes with an official Diamond Certificate, which will give you a detailed blueprint of your diamond. Now that you understand the “Four C’s” of diamond grading, you’ll have a better understanding of these certificates, which give you detailed info on all of the factors discussed above, including a “plotting” that shows the exact location of inclusions and blemishes.

How to Choose a Right Diamond and Engagement Ring?

Author:  //  Category: My Pink Diamonds

DiamondDiamond is a crystalline form of carbon.Its rarity makes it extremely valuable and precious. The combination of the 4Cs, namely Cut, Clarity, Carat and Colour, determines the value of a particular diamond. Cut

While nature determines a diamond’s clarity, carat weight and colour, the hand of a master craftsman is necessary to release its fire, sparkle and beauty. When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light will reflect from one mirror-

like facet to another and disperse through the top of the stone, resulting in a display of brilliance and fire.

Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow lose light that spills through the side or bottom. As a result, poorly cut stones will be less brilliant and beautiful and certainly less valuable. A well cut or faceted diamond, regardless of

its shape, scintillates with fire and light, offering the greatest brilliance.

Ideal Cut Diamond

Every angle, proportion, and facet in a cut diamond contributes to its light reflection, so variations in any or all of them have a definite effect on the beauty of the diamond. An Ideal Cut round brilliant diamond is one which is cut to

an exact mathematical proportions and angles, to create a diamond of irresistible beauty.

Super Ideal Cut Diamond

Masterly craftsmen continuously strive to obtain the most ideal cut to release the maximum brilliance and fire from a diamond. The Super Ideal Cut, with the following three qualities surpasses the Ideal Cut in creating a diamond of

unequalled magnificence.

Super Ideal Cut Diamond

Perfect Cut Proportion

Super ideal cut proportion is similar to the ideal cut proportion, except in the extra 1% on the table length and the depth.

Perfect Symmetry

Perfect Symmetry refers to the identical and exact size and angle placement of each facet. Only with this quality, can the diamond release an even radiance. Without perfect symmetry, the facets cannot reflect the same level of

brightness, which reduces the diamond’s brilliance.

Perfect Polish

Polish refers to the finishing of a diamond. The surface of a perfectly polished diamond is flat and smooth, allowing light to reflect evenly through every facet.

Super Ideal Cut Diamond

When a diamond meets all of the above three criteria, 8 perfect arrows and 8 perfect hearts can be observed with a special scope. These are significant proofs of a super ideal cut diamond.

Clarity

The greater a diamond’s clarity, the more brilliant, valuable and rare it is. Virtually all diamonds contain identifying characteristics, yet many are invisible to the naked eye. Under the scrutiny of a jeweller’s 10X magnifier, natural

phenomena called inclusions may be seen. These are nature’s birthmarks.

The number, colour, type, size and position of the birthmarks affect a diamond’s value. Major inclusions can interfere with the path of light that travels through a diamond, diminishing its brilliance and sparkle and therefore its value.

Carat

Carat is the measurement of a diamond’s weight.

One carat is equal to 0.2 gram or 100 points. Because large diamonds are found relatively infrequently in nature, diamonds’ worth go up almost exponentially with their weight.

Colour

Diamonds can be classified into “colourless diamonds” and “fancy coloured diamonds”. Colourless diamonds are graded by colour, starting at D and continuing through the alphabet. Truly colourless stones, graded D, are treasured

for their rarity and value, and are highest in quality. Fancy coloured diamonds in well defined colours that include red, pink, blue, green and canary yellow are particularly rare and very highly priced.

Shape

Diamonds are cut in many fancy shapes. As the shape and distribution of inclusions vary with each raw stone, diamonds are cut into different shapes in order to avoid flaws and to minimize the wastage. People often choose

different shapes according to their own preferences. The following are the most popular shapes in the market:

Round Brilliant

The round brilliant cut diamond is by far the most popular shape, and accounts for about 3 out of 4 diamonds purchased today. It is designed to produce the greatest brilliance and reflection of light.

Princess

Princess cut is the second most popular shape on the market. Its table appears as a square-like rectangular shape. The pavilion of princess shape is cut according to that of the round brilliant, which increases the brilliance of the

diamond but also increases the use of materials.

Oval

The Oval shape is an extension of round brilliant, it looks larger than its actual size because of the elongated shape. Rings set with oval diamonds are suitable for ladies with small hands or shorter fingers.

Heart

Heart shape is a symbol of romance. It bears some similarity to the pear shape. To avoid significant inclusions, the cutter often prefers cutting the heart shape to the pear shape. This shape is seen frequently in pendants, but is suitable

for most any purpose.

Emerald

The Emerald cut is not a brilliant cut, but is called a step cut. Step cuts are comprised of larger facets, which act like mirrors. Because of the angle, size and shape of the facets, the emerald cut shows less brilliance and fire than the

brilliant cut diamonds. However, the emerald cut stone reveals a classic and aristocratic elegance and beauty not seen in other cuts. Because of the open and large nature of the facets, it is highly recommended that you consider

staying at higher colour and clarity grades.

Marquise

An elongated shape with 2 pointed ends just like the eye of a horse. This special shape is especially suitable for people with unique style.

Pear

Pear shape combines the best of oval and marquise but the appearance is much softer. Pear shaped diamond ring can accentuate long and slender fingers. It is also beautiful for setting pendants and earrings.

Loose Diamonds: the Glitter is Forever

Author:  //  Category: My Pink Diamonds

Diamond and its origin

The word diamond has been derived from the ancient Greek word for invincible since it is famous for its hardness. In fact, it is the hardest and most durable naturally forming material on the planet. The only object able to scratch a diamond is another diamond. The Greek name justifies its hardness.

Diamonds or loose diamonds are naturally occuring substances, so they contain marks and irregularities. A truly flawless diamond is a very rare find. Diamonds are also found in a variety of colors, even though the most common is white. When chemicals are present in the atmosphere during diamond formation it can result in shades such as pink, blue, orange, green and yellow, which is the most common. The more intense the color, the more valuable the diamond will be. Diamonds are valued for its brilliance. Diamond is a glittering gemstone

Diamond is an ultimate luminous and sparkling gemstone. One should buy a diamond by seeing its shape, color, the grading characteristics and price but in reality there are many more things which need to be looked. Like, a diamond’s brilliance is only given by its good cut and the ideal cut for a particular diamond is one that maximizes its brilliance. Simultaneously, this hardest stone should also have a smooth, flat face facet because it allows light to enter a diamond and reflect off its surface at different angles that creates the wonderful play of color and light. Thus, buy a diamond – whether loose diamond or a wholesale diamond – that has a unique quality within, and you know that it is this soul of a diamond that speaks to a person on a deeply personal level.Loose Diamonds are apt for everybody

Loose diamonds are perfect for everybody whether you’re a gentleman looking for the perfect diamond for your special someone or a lady browsing for stylish and elegant piece. Loose diamonds are gaining popularity because of the different colors, sizes, and shapes it is abundantly found in. People these days go for diamonds in an online jewelry store and choose a variety of them which are effectively low in prices.

In order to attract potential customers, different styles are applied to the loose diamonds. The most important advantage of buying these pieces wholesale is that they are directly brought from the manufacturers and owners. You can save nearly 30 percent of your money thereby cutting down your cost. But, also keep in mind while buying diamonds; check out the 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat. You should be well aware of these things.Buy loose diamonds from online Jewelry Stores

You can buy various kinds of loose diamonds from online jewelry stores. Many jewelry websites offer glittering loose diamonds, diamond engagement rings, diamond wedding rings, diamond anniversary rings, diamond studded rings, earrings and necklace at unbelievable prices under one roof. While purchasing, you should opt for only certified loose diamonds. You can use these loose diamonds to make your favorite engagement ring. Always remember, clarity of a loose diamond offers much in the way of value and brilliance. But to find a loose diamond without any flaws heightens the value of the stone. Carefully buy loose diamonds as diamonds are meant forever.

So, if you have someone special in your life, buy her a diamond engagement ring made from loose diamonds. Engagement rings make women glitter with joy.

Engagement Ring – She is Looking for New Trends

Author:  //  Category: Diamond Eternity Rings

When a girl accepts a man’s proposal of marrying her, the first thought that comes is of making the moment ever memorable. So, you buy her an engagement ring. However, today’s girls should not be taken for granted when it comes to satisfying them with any ordinary and out of fashion ring. You better know about the newest trends of engagement rings to please her even more.This year, according to the trend observers, engagement rings are being liked with different features. Most of the trend watchers agree that symbolizing past, present and future of a couple, the three-stone engagement ring has gained popularity due to its romantic symbolism associated with it. The three stones were previously used for anniversary ring. Because of the three diamonds on the top of the ring, its overall visual impact spectacular and spells brilliance. Or you can present eternity engagement ring, which studded with endless gems. The sublime round shape of the ring and numbers of gems symbolize a love that has no end. White diamonds are the trend for these rings. And, the preferred band metal is platinum. Another noticeable change in choice of people for engagement rings is for colored gemstones. While classic diamond solitaires have always been popular, the new trend is emerging for colored stones, which are quite affordable as well. Sapphires, rubies, emeralds and even garnet and topaz are providing colors to the engagement rings today. Apart from these rings, if she may also take interest in some vintage engagement rings to symbolize eternity of romance. To echo the romantic era of yesteryears and for creating strong feelings of love, vintage engagement rings are gaining popularity. An intricate handiwork of floral and filigree patterns and lattice work on these engagement rings gives them very special look  classic and antique aesthetic cuts of cushion, round , pillow and other cuts of stones only add to the sophistication of these rings for the occasion. And a word of caution now for the buyers of engagement rings. Never rush to a jeweler if it has little or no reputation. The ring is costly and it should be bought with utmost care. So, compare the jewelers and the rings extensively. Better scan websites for buying engagement rings of your choice at competitive rates after a good comparison of what is being offered and what price. A glittering engagement ring that matches with the latest trends also reflects your awareness of the world of your bride-to-be. Keep her choice of ring in mind while shopping for it.

Unique Engagement Rings For The Uniqueness of Your Love

Author:  //  Category: Diamond Eternity Rings

Diamond cut does not refer to the shape of diamond instead it implies the width, depth and uniformity of different sides that control the brilliance and clarity of the stone. It is the cut of a diamond that makes it sparkle and dazzle. Only a big clear white stone will not be impressive until it has its brilliance or it’s properly cut.

The most popular diamond cuts are emerald cut diamonds, round cut diamonds and even oval cut diamonds. The round cut diamonds are the most expensive ones and they dazzle the most and they make unique engagement rings as they look the best as solitaire rings.

It is the round cut diamond that look the best practically on any hand and finger. Again, there are oval cut diamonds too and these are quite similar to the round cut ones. It depends on personal taste and preference as to which is the best shape for the oval cut diamonds. However, it is the emerald cut diamond rings that are least expensive and they cost lesser than the otherwise round cut diamond rings. But they are no less to appeal. The emerald cut diamonds look layered and are rectangle in shape and can be great especially for men.

Today, diamond ring designers with the help of laser cutting technology and computer-aided designing can create trendy rings for fashionable wear at affordable costs especially through these emerald cut diamonds.

The marquis cut diamond rings reflect an oval look and makes your fingers look long and elegant. Marquis cut unique engagement rings are considered to be more popular than the emerald cut diamond rings. Again, oval cut diamonds are more popular as middle stone in engagement rings or as a centerpiece in many expensive jewelry. Oval cut diamonds are uniquely appealing to people who likes round cut diamonds.

Other very popular and fashionable engagement rings are eternity diamond rings. Eternity Diamond rings consist of line of small diamonds around an entire band. The ring appears as a circle of diamonds. These eternity diamond rings are attached with symbolic meanings so they are popular as anniversary gifts or even as engagement rings on a wedding day. The circle of diamonds signifies unending love bound forever.

The stones of eternity diamond ring need to be nestled together to reflect its compact shape and the diamond cuts used can range fro round to emerald. For a full eternity diamond rings, smaller sized stones are preferable for comfort, but of you wish to buy a half eternity diamond ring one can go for a slightly larger size of stones.

Can Diamonds Really be Colorful?

Author:  //  Category: My Pink Diamonds

Even if you have never been shopping for diamond jewelry, you have probably heard about the four Cs used to classify diamonds—clarity, cut, carat and color. These collective metrics are used throughout the world to determine the value of individual diamonds, with diamonds exhibiting the most desirable combinations of clarity, cut, carat weight and color rising to the top as the most universally unique and highest valued gems.

Clarity refers to the extent of inclusions, or natural features such as fractures present in the diamond that originated from its formation deep within the earth. A diamond’s cut describes the design and proportions of the diamond after it is crafted by a diamond cutter, an art form that manifests itself in the diamond’s outward appearance and brilliance. Carat is a concrete description of a diamond’s weight, with one carat representing a weight of 200 milligrams. Color is a diamond quality that generally refers to the extent to which a diamond is colorless. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has established a widely accepted color scale to rate diamonds falling in the normal color spectrum, which ranges from colorless to yellow. Diamonds which fall closer to the colorless end of the color spectrum are generally considered more valuable than yellow or brown tinted diamonds of equivalent clarity, cut and carat weight. Intensely colored diamonds are the exception, their rarity and beauty making them extremely valuable and exotic despite being far from colorless.

Although many people perceive all diamonds to be colorless, true colorless diamonds are extremely rare, and thus the most valuable on the GIA color scale. A majority of diamonds commonly used in jewelry such as engagement rings and eternity rings have a tint of yellow or brown, placing them in the normal color range. Though slight variations in the color of diamonds are to be expected, the difference among various shades is usually indistinguishable to the untrained eye.

While diamonds in the normal color range are the most common, diamonds form within the earth in an array of colorful hues. Diamonds in vibrant colors such as pink, yellow, green and blue, called fancy colored diamonds, are highly sought after by diamond connoisseurs and jewelry consumers alike. The rarity and splendor of such exotic diamonds contributes to their high value, and is the reason that colored diamonds are often attractions at museums and exhibits. The famous and fabled 45.52 carat Hope Diamond on display at the Smithsonian Institution since 1958 is a prime example, requiring dedicated security measures and personnel of its own.

Like white diamonds, the value of a fancy colored diamond is determined in part by the collective value of its four Cs. However, the color attribute becomes a more significant dynamic in the valuation of a colored diamond. Rather than being evaluated on its lack of color, a colored diamond is valued based on the quality of its hue, intensity and consistency.