We always like to mention when you're buying diamonds, always work with a reputable company. They can assist you with making the best decision to suit your diamond needs and make sure you're getting the best quality for the best value. Most of you may already know this but there is a diamond scale which ranges from D-Z. D is completely colorless and as you go further down the scale it becomes more tinted with yellow.
Diamonds are not just on the scale of D to Z, there are stones that fall off this scale that are called “Fancy Color Diamonds”.
So How Do We Know What Diamonds Are Considered “Fancy Colored Diamonds”?
Diamonds fall into this category because the yellow is so strong that the diamond no longer is considered white with a tint of yellow but a full yellow tone in the overall appearance. Diamonds come in a variety of colors and each color has a different level of rareness which of course alters the price.
Buyers aren’t just shopping for white diamonds these days. Whether as accents, or as standalone stones, there is great desire for all colors of the rainbow. The industry has seen a surge of interest in pinks, blues, browns, and yellows over the past couple of decades, with even Sotheby’s breaking records on colored diamond sales. If you want to offer the variety to your customer base, then you are going to have to do some research into buying a fancy color diamond melee. Regardless of the color you choose, there are a few basic aspects that you want to consider before you buy.
Natural Fancy Color Diamonds Vs Treated Colored Diamonds?
Its really important to understand what your buying as you want to be completely transparent with your client so they can feel assured and educated. Buying treated color diamonds is much cheaper than buying fancy natural diamonds. If you choose to buy treated diamonds you must know they are much cheaper than buying natural diamonds.
How can you tell the difference between natural and treated color diamonds?
For someone who is an experienced buyer its easy to see the difference. The intensity and saturation is so strong in color treated diamonds they almost look like precious gemstones.
Color
The color of the stone is always one of the four most carefully considered aspects of the stone, but in the case of a fancy color diamond melee, this factor will be even more important. You must understand the degree of rarity and other qualities associated with the color of the diamond.
A fancy pink diamond melee is apt to be more expensive than those of other colors. Any of the shades of red are the rarest of the diamonds. The shades vary substantially from deep, garnet-like red to a soft pinky-peach akin to Morganite.
Blue melee diamonds are rare as well. The color in these diamonds can be attributed to a presence of boron. The shade of blue can vary drastically, often taking on a secondary hue such as violet, green, or gray.
Black melee diamonds are unlike any of the other colors. They are deep, rich, and lack the transparency of a traditional white diamond. The black hue is caused by inclusions (the very things that reduce the value of white diamonds). When there are enough graphite, pyrite, or hematite inclusions, though, the result is a unique, slightly opaque black stone that plays off classic white stones brilliantly.
A fancy yellow diamond melee is surprisingly valuable. Although the presence of any yellow or beige in a white diamond can deter a buyer, when the yellow is vibrant enough, it takes on a sunny appearance and a desirability all its own. These warm, buttery shades can be attributed to a strong presence of nitrogen.
Always, the color is judged based on its consistency, richness, and desirability of the market.
Clarity
Whether white, yellow, green, or blue, a diamond is always judged on clarity. However, the importance of this criteria depends on the fancy color. While it is highly regarded in white stones, black stones require inclusions and are often nearly opaque. Therefore, it is important when buying a fancy color diamond melee to know what causes the color and how clarity plays into the richness of the hue.
Cut
The way in which a stone is cut can impact its brilliance and its color. The cut will be very important, as it can highlight the color or take away from an enticing hue. The color of the raw stone may not be consistent throughout, and therefore the lapidary will greatly influence the appearance of the finished stone based on where and how he or she makes the cuts.
Carat
Obviously, the sizes of the finished stones are going to factor into the pricing of the fancy color diamond melee. Accent stones are often too small to reliably define in carat size. Instead, diamond dealers will refer to the melees based on the size of the sieve that the stones fit through. For instance, an eighth-carat stone will fit through a size 13 sieve. The tiniest stones can fit through a sieve size 000, 00, or 0. These would be approximately 1/200th of a carat.
Grading
While it will be important, as the buyer, to pay attention to all the factors above, if you choose a reputable, trustworthy supplier, a lot of this work will be done for you. The fancy color diamond melee will be graded and certified for you.
The difference between the white diamond market and fancy color diamond market are huge. Unlike the white diamond market, fancy colored diamonds are not easy to valuate. Each stone has its own value and so many factors contribute to the price. I cant stress enough how important it is to buy from an expert in the market.
Diamond grading in colored diamonds is done very differently than white diamonds. There are three things that are looked at. Hue (actual color), tone(the relative lightness or darkness of color) and saturation (how strong or week the color is)
Cost
There are basic guidelines for determining a white diamonds cost that is universally agreed upon. When it comes to fancy color diamonds there is no price list. Prices are based on what the offering is, rarity and just between the buyer and the seller.