The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has established the industry standard for evaluating fancy colored diamonds through its sophisticated nine-grade system. This scale transformed what was once subjective color evaluation into an objective, reproducible practice that has received universal respect in the diamond industry.
Difference Between Hue, Saturation, and Tone
Before discussing the nine color grades, we’ll define the three characteristics that the GIA bases its colored diamond assessment on:
1. Hue: The Foundation of Color Identity
Referring to the diamond’s pure color, hue essentially answers the question “what color is this diamond?” The GIA recognizes 27 hues in fancy colored diamonds, including yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, violet, blue, green, gray, and brown. Each hue has a specific wavelength of light that a diamond absorbs or reflects.
Primary hues come in single colors, such as yellow or blue. Secondary hues are combinations of colors, such as orangey yellow or purplish pink. The GIA notation system lists the modifying hue first, followed by the primary hue, to create descriptions like “Fancy Vivid Orangey Yellow” or “Fancy Deep Purplish Pink.
2. Saturation: The Intensity of Color
Saturation describes the intensity of a diamond’s color. Diamonds with high saturation have vivid, eye-catching colors, while diamonds with low saturation are more muted, often looking gray or brown.
3. Tone: The Lightness and Darkness Scale
Tone measures how light or dark a colored diamond is, independent of its hue or saturation. The GIA evaluates tone on a scale from very light to very dark, though this assessment integrates into the overall grade rather than as a separate notation on certificates.
Light-toned diamonds are pale, with some variations looking pastel. In contrast, medium-toned diamonds are neither too faint nor overly saturated. At the other end of the spectrum, dark-toned diamonds have deep, rich colors that look almost black in extreme cases.
Now that we understand the difference between hue, saturation, and tone, let’s move on to our main topic: fancy colored diamond grades.
How GIA Classifies Natural Colored Diamonds: The Nine-Grade System Explained
The GIA fancy color intensity grades are as follows:
1. Faint
Faint is the lowest grade in the GIA system for colored diamonds. These gemstones have a hint of color without the premium associated with higher grades. The color is so subtle that, in many cases, untrained observers mistake them for colorless diamonds. Most faint varieties have a yellowish or brownish tint that falls just outside the colorless range (D-to-Z scale).
2. Very Light
Very Light diamonds have slightly more color than Faint diamonds. Their pale yellow, brown, or gray hues are most noticeable to trained eyes, though casual observers may still perceive them as nearly colorless.
3. Light
Light diamonds have visible color throughout the stone but lack the intensity of higher grades. Most are yellow or brown with enough saturation to classify as colored rather than near-colorless.
Light-colored diamonds are a cost-effective alternative within the colored diamond category. Their lower saturation levels reduce market value compared to vivid or intense stones, yet they retain the visual characteristics that distinguish them from colorless diamonds. For buyers seeking colored diamonds without the high prices associated with stronger hues, light-colored stones are the perfect in-between.
4. Fancy Light
Fancy light diamonds have a faint but detectable color across yellow, brown, pink, blue, green, orange, red, violet, and gray diamonds. Color distribution within these stones varies from even saturation throughout the crystal to concentrated areas of hue intensity. Market value depends on color rarity, with pink and blue commanding premium prices compared to yellow and brown variants.
5. Fancy
Fancy diamonds have moderate color visibility across all natural diamond hues. The overall hue and saturation are visible to observers under standard viewing conditions, separating these diamonds from lighter color grades. Market demand varies depending on rarity, with red, pink, and blue selling for higher prices than yellow and brown specimens.
6. Fancy Intense
Fancy Intense diamonds have a high-color saturation grade and noticeable hue intensity, all while preserving brightness and transparency. This grade encompasses a range of colors, including yellow, pink, blue, and green.
Compared to Fancy Vivid grades, Fancy Intense diamonds have slightly less chromatic intensity but often retain superior light return due to their moderated color density. This balance between saturation and brightness enhances face-up brilliance, making Fancy Intense stones desirable in lighting conditions where excessive color may diminish perceived sparkle.
7. Fancy Deep
Fancy Deep diamonds, with their striking color saturation and darker tone, are rich and luxurious, often boasting the deep, velvety appearance that collectors prize. This grade commonly occurs in pink, blue, and green diamonds, though not all hues qualify. Deep colored diamonds can also appear opaque in extreme cases, though the finest examples have excellent transparency and hue. The combination of strong saturation and darker tone differentiates these diamonds from lighter alternatives.
8. Fancy Dark
Fancy Dark diamonds have a high color saturation and the deepest tone on the scale. Bold and mysterious, these diamonds can look black in certain lighting conditions. Many high-profile consumers, including American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga, gravitate toward Fancy Dark diamonds for their theatrical, high-impact color. As a performer known for avant-garde fashion and dramatic stylistic choices, Gaga’s aesthetic matches these stones’ unconventional appeal.
9. Fancy Vivid
Fancy Vivid diamonds achieve maximum saturation within the GIA color intensity scale. The tone falls within a defined range that maintains color visibility without reducing brightness. This grade applies to select hues, including yellow, pink, blue, and green.
Fancy Vivid diamonds fetch the highest prices in the colored diamond market, often reaching astronomical sums at auction. The color is so intense and pure that it seems to glow from within the stone.
GIA assigns these grades through rigorous evaluation under controlled lighting and strict color comparison standards across multiple viewing environments.
Grading Considerations and Market Impact
The GIA nine-grade scale assesses a diamond’s color based on hue, tone, and saturation. However, additional factors affect how visible the color becomes once the diamond is cut and polished. Cut affects the distribution and visibility of color across the crown. Clarity comes next; feather or cloud inclusions can interrupt the uniformity of color, especially in lighter grades. Carat weight is also a factor, as larger diamonds tend to show color more than smaller ones. Each grade corresponds to a distinct pricing tier. For instance, Fancy Vivid diamonds may reach ten times the value of Fancy Light diamonds of the same size and clarity due to their limited supply and higher saturation.
Read Why Some Colored Diamonds Are More Expensive Than Others for information.
Takeaway
Natural diamonds come in different colors, from yellow and pink to green, blue, and red. These rare colors form under unique geological conditions, and no two fancy color diamonds look the same. Unlike colorless diamonds, which fall along a D-to-Z scale based on their lack of color, the Gemological Institute of America evaluates colored diamonds with a system based on hue, tone, and saturation. From Faint to Fancy Vivid, knowing how these grades work can guide buying, selling, and appraisal decisions. Certain grades perform better in the resale market than others, and some colors have become highly coveted in auction houses.
Find out how much your fancy colored diamonds are worth. The experts at Biltmore Loan and Jewelry possess the knowledge and experience to evaluate your colored diamonds. Our certified gemologists assess each stone’s grade, rarity, and market value based on established gemological standards and current market conditions. Get an online appraisal or visit us today to receive a cash offer for your diamonds.