4Cs of Diamond Buying

Diamonds range in color from icy winter white to warm golden yellow and are graded on a color scale (illustrated below) that was established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Diamonds are compared to a ‘Master Set’ for accuracy, using strict lighting conditions to reveal their true body color. The color differences between grades may seem subtle at times, but they can have a profound impact on the diamond’s beauty, rarity and very importantly, its value.

At Smyth, we support the standards of GIA and have graduate gemologists and a complete gem lab on premise, assuring you of an accurate grade on the diamond you are purchasing. We would be happy to have a diamond you are considering compared to our ‘Master Set’ or to a diamond from our extensive collection of gems backed with lab reports from GIA or AGS.

A diamond of great color, combined with a great cut, will give you a gem of exquisite beauty, that will give someone great joy for a lifetime.

Fancy Diamonds Colored diamonds - known as "fancy color diamonds" in the trade - are among the rarest of nature's gem treasures. At the present time, fancy color diamond output is estimated at 1 to 2 carats out of every 3,000 carats mined. Of all colored diamonds mined, 80% 90% are in in the brown and yellow family. The others feature prized hues such a red, pink, and blue which command more per carat that any other gemstone, including emerald, ruby and sapphire.