The Private Reserve
Ideal Cut Diamonds
In-Stock & Available:
Diamond Inventory

Ideal Cut Classifications
AGS Ideal 0 Cut
AGS-000/Triple 0 defined
Eighternity Diamonds
GIA Excellent / Ideal
Hearts & Arrows Ideals
Just Plain "Ideal"
The Ideal Differences

Fancy Shape Desc.
Asscher Cut Diamonds
Cushion Cut Diamonds
Princess Cut Diamonds

Private Reserve Terms:
Glossary of Terms
Inventory Introduction
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Engagement Rings:
Overview of Styles
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The Expanded 4C^s
1. Cut = Light Return
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Buyer Beware!
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When is "Ideal" not?

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A word about pricing...
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The GIA vs. the AGS

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Diamond Color?

What the heck does that mean? You're looking at Natures Aurora Borealis in a cube. A subtle beam of sunlight or a seductive halogen stream can produce a spectral sensation of brilliant color.  But that's not the color we're talking about, that's "fire" or "scintillation" (not as defined in Masters & Johnson's).

Color with reference to diamond grading refers to subtle differences in the body color or hue. The Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A.) introduced their color grading scale in the late 1950's and today it's the most internationally accepted color scale in the diamond industry.  The G.I.A. color scale begins at (D) colorless and goes to light yellow (Z).  The distinctions between color grades within the normal range are quite subtle and virtually undetectable to the untrained eye.   Similarly five different brands of "white" paper will appear the same when viewed separately, but if laid upon each other a definite separation of color would be detectable.

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Another way to visualize the subtle difference between the color grades is to take a clear glass of water and add a few drops of yellow food color.  Each drop of color will result in a subtle warming of the waters body tone.  In diamonds, such subtle differences in color can make the difference of hundreds or thousands of dollars in price per carat.

Diamonds are naturally available in almost every spectrum of the rainbow. However, the average consumer thinks of diamonds as white or colorless.   This is largely because most diamonds sold in the retail trade range from very nearly colorless to slightly yellow, brown, or gray, which fall under the standard G.I.A. grading scale for white diamonds (D - Z).

With the exception of naturally occurring rare fancy colors such as blue, pink, green, and red, colorless diamonds (D,E,F) command the highest prices.   Only experienced graders can distinguish the difference between diamonds graded as D & E in color on a consistent basis, and then only in diamonds that are unmounted.   Most trained graders can consistently identify diamonds of "F" color.

Diamonds that are near colorless (G,H,I,J) often appear colorless when mounted and graded face up.  The average consumer will not detect any color in an unmounted G,H,I unless it is compared to a D,E,F.  However, most experienced graders can see color in these diamonds when they are unmounted.  Most consumers begin to recognize a subtle presence of color around grade "J" but are usually uncertain as to how to describe it... We describe it as "dingy"...  Techincally speaking, "J" mounts up "Navajo white" [think paint] if the diamond is set in white metal where "I" still tends to face up white and is much more preferable to "J" which is why the diamonds listed for sale in our Private Reserve are all D to I color... We don't sell diamonds in the "J" to "Z" range...

Most consumers can identify a color difference in diamonds that grade K,L,M in mounted diamonds that weigh one-half carat or more.  However, they often mistake mounted K,L,M diamonds weighing less than half a carat as being colorless when they are mounted in white metal.  Beyond "M" most consumers are quick to see color regardless of how the diamond is mounted and often describe it as "dingy" or "brownish" for lack of a better explanation.  Although yellows are more easily identified by consumers, brown and gray tones are also graded on the same scale.

For consistent grading, industry professionals rely on a "master set" of diamonds or laser-tinted cubic zirconia that have been laboratory certified as to their color.  When used properly under controlled lighting, such as a GIA Diamondlite, master stones provide a reliable method of comparing color in unmounted diamonds.

Jewelry store halogen lighting does not provide a good environment for accurate color grading.  In fact, there isn't a jeweler in the world who would inspect diamonds for purchase under his own store lighting… They do that in the back of the store under controlled lighting conditions.  The high-watt MR-16 Halogen lighting that can be found in most stores is designed to pump white and blue light into the diamonds making them appear much whiter than they actually are. Clothing stores do the same thing.  Ever notice how your clothing looks so much brighter in the store and the wrinkles on your face are more pronounced?

Another B.S. stunt is suggesting that printers ink is the same as diamond color. Stores that use posters to verify a diamonds color for their customers should be burned down...  The poster is designed to demonstrate how subtle the color differences are.  It does not represent true diamond color, and no store would use it to grade diamonds for purchase, but that doesn't stop them from using it to sell diamonds to you...  You could hold a "Z" (mounted) up to the poster, under jewelry store lights, and you'd think it was a "J".  And they'd let you.

We have a GIA Diamondlite and master stones available for our customers use, as do many other reputable dealers who will be more than happy to show you how the color grade of a diamond is determined and how subtle the differences in color between an "F" and an "I" actually are… A really good salesperson will even take a moment to explain fluorescence to you and show you what it looks like under the Diamondlite.

When we sit down with one of our friends to help them select an engagement diamond, we prefer to see them select a diamond in the F - J range… D & E are simply not cost effective for the average consumer and the first time the diamond is showered with hair spray and hand lotion, nobody is going to be able to tell the difference anyway...  If you want the biggest bang for the buck, and a little color doesn't bother you, then consider an L-M-N with medium to strong blue fluorescence and select a mounting that will compliment the stone's color.   If you're not buying a certified diamond (GIA, AGS, HRD, EGL-LA, CGL, or Zenhokyo) then you'd better evaluate the diamond's color while it's unmounted. Get it?  How many ways can we spell "duh"?  Oh, all right, we'll spell it out once more...  If a diamond is mounted, it will be impossible for you as an inexperienced grader to determine it's true color.

Oh, by the way, if your local jeweler doesn't have a master color grading set, we can fix that!  See Gem Tools For Sale below.

May we help you find the diamond of your dreams?
Send us an email diamonds@niceice.com and tell us what you are looking for.
Or give us a call at 206.319.8152 or Toll Free 877.844.5443

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