When it comes to diamond shopping we all know one of the most important of the 4 C's is undoubtedly COLOR. A diamond is graded base on the absence of color. Color saturation gradually increases with each letter grade starting at D being colorless all the way down to Z. Rare diamonds are found in the colorless range of D, E, and F. A lot of value can be found by opting for a diamond in the Near Colorless range. Specifically we want to focus on I color diamonds since we find these offer amazing value when shopping! There are ranges within each grade so some "I" colors will look much better than others. This is where we come into play! Providing you with real life visuals so you can make an educated decision. Watch this close up video as a guide and read along below for a more in depth look on why we think I color diamonds make an amazing choice for you.
2 Carat Cushion Cut I-VS
Cushion cut diamonds CAN hide color really well only if they are cut perfectly. Take a look at this beautiful cushion brilliant style cushion cut. The crisp faceting and perfect proportions lend this diamond to concealing any hint of warmth to the Near Colorless stone. If it were an I color cushion with a "crushed ice" facet pattern it may potentially become more apparent that it is an I color. Those wanting a 2 carat size should definitely consider opting for an I color that is perfectly cut. Otherwise within that same budget you can go smaller with higher color but it may not necessarily be the look you are going for.
2.06 Carat Round Cut I-VS2
Round brilliant cut diamonds are easily the most popular diamond engagement ring choice worldwide due to their classic and timeless style. However these brilliant beauties are also the most expensive diamond shape available! Because of this, it is important to figure out how to properly balance quality and size of your round cut diamond without breaking the bank. Take a look at this special 2 carat I color round brilliant. Face up you won't see any hint of yellow within the diamond because round cut diamonds, when cut perfectly, can conceal the warmth of the diamond due to their fire and brilliance. The extra sparkle and precise cut you get from a round diamond will be able to cover imperfections within the diamond.
2.5 Carat Emerald Cut I-VVS
Emerald cut diamonds are known for their elongated shapes and bright clear faceting. One thing you cannot compromise much on for a step cut diamond is their clarity since any imperfection will be easily detected to the naked eye due to their reflective nature. We recommend an I or even J color when it comes to emeralds- they are AMAZING at hiding any visible color to the eye and give a nice white face up look. This way you can splurge on a larger carat size like this stunning 2.5 carat size without breaking the bank and spending more on just the color!
Oval and pear cut diamonds are a little bit trickier when it comes to shopping for an I color. Because ovals and pears have an elongated and large as up appearance they tend to show color saturation quite easily. Our ovals and pear diamonds are carefully selected to not have any strong visible tint of yellow to the diamond. These all still offering amazing value. We picked out two to show off here
2.2 carat Oval Cut I-SI2
Ovals are surely at the top of the trending fancy shape diamond list. Take a look at this beautiful 2.2 carat oval center option. This is an amazing way to hit the over 2 carat mark without paying a huge premium for higher quality. Notice there is no visible yellow to the diamond face up at I color. There are no imperfections to the naked eye on this specific SI2. The oval itself is shaped perfectly making it a really stunning choice.
1.9 Carat Pear Shape I-SI2
If there is one shape that is becoming another hit it has to be pear shape. Pears were very popular in the 80's and 90's and these graceful diamond cuts are coming back strong. This stunning 1.9 carat pear shape has a lot going for it. The first word that comes to mind here is VALUE. Right off the bat, a pear shape diamond will typically look larger than any other diamond shape at the same carat weight. This large face up appearance couples perfectly with a Near Colorless grade at I, alone with a carefully selected eye clean SI2 clarity.
A Note On Fluorescence
When it comes to Near Colorless diamonds, in most cases, having blue fluorescence does not hurt. We suggest you read a bit more about fluorescence on our previous blog post here. If selecting an I or J color, the hint of blue fluorescence in the diamond will give it a slightly whiter appearance. Now we won't say all fluorescent stones are alright since some can have a hazy appearance to them. That's why it is really important to get an HD video such as the ones we provide to get a look at the fluorescence and its effect on the diamond.
To see more diamond color comparison videos click here to be directed to our online video gallery
Picking a center diamond is no easy task and doing it alone is not necessary! Contact us today and we will set you up with one our expert gemologists that can pair you with the perfect diamond that fits within your particular criteria and offers you the BEST value!
