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Diamonds - Color Typing
They're all diamonds, yes, but color does make
a difference.
Let's start this
piece by asking what on the surface might seem like a very simple
question, Shouldn't two diamonds of the exact same weight, same
clarity, same color, exact same proportions, non-fluorescent, same
purchase date, same lab grading report date, both bonded with
the exact
same mark up cost the same? Well if you ask the labs or check with
any of the major price guides like Rapaport, the answer would
be
a resounding YES.
But pick up your
phone, visit your local jeweler, surf the web and I promise you
you'll find twins that are not the same price. In fact, not only
are they not the exact same price but in some cases they're not
even close. You'll even find two identical diamonds at the same
location with totally different prices. Why? How can this be? It's
true not all SI-1's are created equal. Some have centralized inclusions
while others have perimeter inclusions which are certainly more
desirable and valuable. But what of the VS's? I can honestly tell
you I've never met a VS diamond I didn't like. So where's the answer?
The answer is in
the color. What the industry has been aware of but hasn't shared
with the rest of the world is "Color Typing". In the spring
of 1999 a wonderful gemological color grading device hit the market.
What I'm talking about is the Gran Full Spectrum Colorimeter DC2000fs
by Gem Instruments. For the first time we can actually prove that
not all H's, G's or F's are created equal. This new colorimeter
is so precise we can now actually break down each color grade into
five color types. For example, instead of asking someone what color
a diamond is, we should ask what is the diamond's color and type.
Example: an H can be an H1, H2, H3, H4 or H5 (H1 being the best
borderline G and H5 is a borderline I color). When you combine colors
and types with grade bumping, two diamonds can have the perception
of being the same but be from different parts of the rainbow.
When will the labs
start breaking down each color into types? Who knows! I know the
price guides won't be the vanguard until at least one lab steps
up to tell us that not all identical diamonds of the same color
are created equal. Naturally an F1 should cost more than an F5.
But if the labs won't tell you, how can you determine a diamond's
color and type without their help? Easy, have the store run a colorimeter
tape and attach it to the appraisal so you will know if your G is
a strong G or a weak one. Make the sale contingent on an independent
appraisal agreeing with the colorimeter tape or your money back.
I wish the labs
did color typing since the technology is now available. But "Color
Typing" is just not profitable for labs. Jewelers are naturally
going to send their stones for a lab grading report where they
get treated the nicest and are the least critical. That's why
there are five EG or IGI reports out there for every one GIA report. "Color
Typing" may never get recognized by the labs but
that doesn't mean jewelers don't have the access to colorimeters.
Knowledge is power. As the buyer you have every right to know a
diamond's color and type. Just ask.
by Fred Cuellar,
author of the best-selling book "How to Buy a Diamond." More questions?
Ask the Diamond Guy®
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