Post # 1
Member
11 posts
Newbee
We are currently in the process of picking out a ring together. I am trying to have minimial input but he keeps asking me questions because he wants to make sure I love it!
Anyway, the lastest thing we are talking about is the color grading. I was under the impression that it was really difficult for the untrained eye to distinguish any difference between diamonds rated J and up.
However, recently my future brother in law got engaged and the ring he gave his fiance is a 3.5 carat emerald cut diamond ring that is rated H. The yellow in her ring is REALLY noticeable, in fact I almost thought he was opting for a yellow gem. Even my boyfriend, who is usually obvlious to details like that, was the first to comment on it and asked me privately why it was so yellow.
I am not sure if the emerald cut just reflects light in a different way, or if possibly he got a “bad” diamond? It’s just very surprising to me how yellow her H ring is. I would post a picture but I feel weird since it’s not mine! Either way, I REALLY don’t want to end up with a color issue.
Anyway, any pictures or comments would be greatly appreciated!
Post # 2
Member
3469 posts
Sugar bee
tlw07d: Color is going to depend somewhat on the cut you’re looking at. Fancy cute like emerald are more likely to show color than other cuts like round brilliants. I definitely would be careful about the term “bad diamond” but since it is a larger diamond the color is also more noticable. Color and Clarity go hand in hand as well so that is something to think about.
What cut are you considering?
Post # 3
Member
3688 posts
Sugar bee
Bigger diamonds will show more color. Fancy cuts (like emerald cuts) will show more color.
It also depends on who graded the diamond. The only really reliable grading labs are GIA and AGS. A diamond that labs like EGL or IGI consider an ‘H’ could be considered an ‘M’ by GIA or AGS.
Post # 4
Member
11 posts
Newbee
prettyinpink11: I am looking at a cushion cut with halo. I do feel weird about using the phrase “bad diamond” i just said that out of lack for better words. I know he spent a decent amount of money and I am sure he picked out a good quality diamond I was just confused as to why it was so yellow – but that makes sense about it being due to the cut and size! Thank you
Post # 5
Member
809 posts
Busy bee
Cut is the most important thing for color. Emerald cuts show color more than rounds, and if it’s not a very good or excellent cut that would contribute to the color. Generally I would not be worried about seeing color for an H colored diamond, especially if it’s a round cut (rounds hide color the best).
Post # 6
Member
809 posts
Busy bee
tlw07d: Just saw you’re looking at cushion cut. Depending on cut and size, an H color cushion cut should not show color. My friend has a large (over 2k) cushion cut halo that is H and I never see color!
Post # 7
Member
11 posts
Newbee
honeybee2014: Thank you! I am not sure what color grade we are getting yet, that was what we had to decide on. If I can’t tell the difference I don’t see why he should have to spend more money to get a higher grade. I told him to use his judgement and if he sees any yellow to look for a higher grade.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by tlw07d.
Post # 8
Member
809 posts
Busy bee
tlw07d: Cushion cuts will show color more than a lot of other cuts. It will depend a little on your setting (white or yellow gold) but since you’re doing a halo you’ll probably want to stick to H or above. But every diamond is different, so you’ll see a color difference between H’s given cut, size, fluorescence, etc.
This site really helped us when we were looking at diamonds.
Diamond Color Chart & Buying Guide
Post # 9
Member
17 posts
Newbee
I have a 1c cushion cut (no halo ) and it’s a D color with Ideal cut — there’s no yellow in it – BUT – before I got engaged I noticed my friend’s ring was SUUUPPPERRR sparkly. And I asked her why it was so sparkly, she says she hasn’t cleaned it in the year she has it, and it was a G color w/ ideal cut. I know that the cut matters more to the sparkle but the color is going to make it look more clear as well. I would recommend a G or H in color with Very good – ideal cut (we did a ton of research before purchasing a ring)<br /><br />Go on Ritani.com and use their 360 view of diamonds and compare ideal vs. very good at different colors <br /><br />also you can use sites like blue nile / brilliant earth to be picky about the color and cut and see what you can find :)<br /><br />hope this helps!
Post # 10
Member
2576 posts
Sugar bee
I was told that if you decide on an emerald cut you have to stick with a very high end diamond. The place I went suggested to be in the D color range.
Post # 11
Member
3322 posts
Sugar bee
A properly graded H color should not be yellow. Warmer than a D color, but yellow? No way. Your BIL was able to get a larger size in a tradeoff between size and color. My guess is that it is not a diamond graded by GIA/AGS, and in that case it could be waaaay down the color scale. I have heard of some really wide differences. If you want to see real diamonds and their colors go to pricescope.
Post # 12
Member
9828 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
tlw07d: was it a certified H? And what certification? Generally an ungraded or EGL H will be much more yellow then a GIA or AGS H which is very white. Also, emeralds and fancy shapes show more color. My Ring Bearer stone is a certified H and it’s quite white!
Post # 13
Member
17 posts
Newbee
I personally like the little tint of color in my diamond. It doesn’t take away the sparkle and it feels warmer 🙂
Post # 14
Member
2411 posts
Buzzing bee
Is her ring set in yellow gold? If so that could be contributing to the yellow cast.
But it sounds like the yellow is so noticeable, that the diamond is really not an H — it probably was certified by one of the lesser labs, who have looser standards.<br /><br />
Here is the GIA diamond color scale. As you can see, an H is in the near colorless zone. In addition, the center stone in my halo is an H, and as you can see it is anything but yellow.
Post # 15
Member
11 posts
Newbee
MrsBuesleBee: Your ring is beautiful and looks like perfect color! 🙂 He says it is certified H but I do not know who certified it or any other details besides that.
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