Donkey’s Tail. diamonds
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- for the plant named Donkey’s tail see Sedum morganianum
Donkey’s Tail () was a Russian artistic group created from the most radical members of the Jack of Diamonds group. The group included such painters as: Mikhail Larionov (inventor of the name), Natalia Gontcharova, Kazimir Malevich, Marc Chagall, and Alexander Shevchenko. The group was influenced by the Cubo-Futurism movement. The first and only exhibition of the group took place in Moscow in 1912. In 1913, the group fell apart.
The Curse of Scotland. gia diamonds
The curse of Scotland, also known as the Scourge of Scotland, is a term used in poker, bridge and various other card games for the nine of diamonds. The exact origins of the term is disputed but several theories exists.
The most common story is that the term arose after the Massacre of Glencoe due to a resemblance in the playing card and Sir John Dalrymple coat of arms. Another story is that the order for no quarter at the Battle of Culloden written on a nine of diamonds by the Duke of Cumberland. However, the term is first recorded in 1710, which definitely rules out any connection with Culloden, but does fit a possible connection with Glencoe. Another story is that Mary Queen of Scots death warrant was signed on the nine of diamonds by Elizabeth I.
Other less popular theories include the term deriving from a tax levied to pay for nine diamonds stolen from the crown of Scotland or that the term is a mispronunciation of “The Cross of Scotland” due to a resemblance in the patterns of St. Andrew’s Saltire and the playing card.
A plausible but mundane explanation is that the term comes from a card game “Pope Joan” (first mentioned in 1732) where the nine of diamonds is called the “Pope”. As Scotland has traditionally been a strongly Protestant country the Pope would be in a sense its curse.
GIA. gia diamonds
GIA or Gia may refer to:
- Armed Islamic Group (GIA, from French Groupe Islamique Armé), a terrorist Islamist group in Algeria.
- Gaming Intelligence Agency, a now defunct videogame news source.
- Garuda Indonesia Airways, an Indonesian airline.
- Gemological Institute of America.
- Ghana International Airlines
- 1980s supermodel Gia Marie Carangi.
- Gia, a 1998 film about Carangi.
- Gia, a number one single on the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay chart from 2004, recorded by Greek/German singer Despina Vandi.
- Gia people, an Indigenous Australian people
- GIA Publications, Inc. (formerly the Gregorian Institute of America), a Roman Catholic music publisher.
- Glasgow International Airport, an airport in Scotland.
- Government Information Awareness, a website which collects information about government programs, plans and politicians from the general public and numerous online sources
- GIA - The artistic name for a Canadian art designer.
Smuggling in literature. gia diamonds
This page lists works of fiction whose primary subject matter is smuggling:
- Eric Ambler: The Light of Day (filmed as Topkapi)
- Eric Ambler: Passage of Arms
- S.R. Crockett: The Raiders
- Rudyard Kipling: A Smuggler’s Song (poem)
- Daphne du Maurier: Jamaica Inn (although this is also concerned with wrecking)
- J. Meade Falkner: Moonfleet
- Ian Fleming: Diamonds Are Forever (James Bond)
- Martha Grimes: The Lamorna Wink
- Mollie Hunter: The Lothian Run
- Winsome Pinnock: Mules
- Barbara Smucker: Underground to Canada (smuggling slaves to freedom)
- Russell Thorndike: The Doctor Syn novels
- Michael Wall: Amongst Barbarians
- Raelynn Hillhouse: Rift Zone
Blue Diamond. gia diamonds
Blue Diamond may refer to:
- A blue diamond, the most famous example being the Hope Diamond
- The Blue Diamond, the name assigned in 1954 to the air demonstration unit of the Philippine Air Force. In 1960, this was changed to The Blue Diamonds.
- Blue Diamond, Nevada, a census-designated place (CDP) in Clark County, Nevada, United States
- Blue Diamond Growers, a California-based agricultural cooperative and marketing organization that specializes in almonds
- The Blue Diamond (comics), a 1940s superhero from Timely Comics, a forerunner of Marvel Comics
- Impatiens namchabarwensis or Blue Diamond Impatiens, a member of the Balsaminaceae family
- The Heart of the Ocean, an important element in the 1997 Titanic film.
- Blue Diamond (truck platform), a collaborative agreement between Ford Trucks and Navistar International (previously IHC)
- A Viagra tablet (informal)
Blue Diamonds may refer to:
- Blue Diamonds, a Dutch 1960s doo-wop duo best known for their chart-topping single “Ramona”
- “Blue Diamonds”, a song from Rusted Root’s 2002 album Welcome to My Party
- “Blue Diamonds”, No. 92 Squadron RAF aerobatic display team.
- “Blue Diamonds”, a song from The Long Winters’ 2003 album When I Pretend to Fall
Diamonds and Pearls (song). gia diamonds
“Diamonds and Pearls” is the title track to Prince and the New Power Generation’s 1991 hit album. The song is an upbeat ballad, given a rock and roll edge with guitar and heavy drumming. The song also features the powerful vocals of NPG member Rosie Gaines. The ballad is an expression of love and not lust, as is the theme on the some of the other singles from the album. The song was Top 10 hit, reaching #3 in the U.S., and the top spot on the R&B charts.
The B-side is a mix of excerpts of other Diamonds and Pearls tracks that serves to promote the album. There was no extended version of the song released. The U.K. B-side included some of the mixes on the “Cream” maxi-single.
- “Diamonds and Pearls” (LP Version) – (4:45)
- “Q In Doubt” – (4:00)
- “Diamonds and Pearls” (Edit) – (4:20)
- “X-cerpts from the Songs: Thunder, Daddy Pop, Strollin’, Money Don’t Matter 2 Night, Push, Live 4 Love” – (5:04)
- “Diamonds and Pearls” (LP Version) – (4:45)
- “Housebangers” – (4:23)
- “Cream” (N.P.G. Mix) – (5:47)
- “Things Have Gotta Change” {Tony M. Rap) – (3:57)
one
- “Diamonds and Pearls” (LP Version) – (4:45)
- “2 the Wire” (Creamy Instrumental) – (3:13)
- “Do Your Dance” (KC’s Remix) – (5:58)
Gemesis. diamonds
The Gemesis Corporation is a privately-held company founded by Carter Clarke in Sarasota, Florida, United States. The corporation creates cultured diamonds using proprietary Soviet technology.
During the Cold War, Soviet scientists developed the diamond synthesis technology because diamond is the best substrate for strategic semi-conductor electronics that are less susceptible to the electromagnetic pulse of nuclear blasts. The Soviet technology fell into American’s hands after the downfall of the Soviet Union. The technology is no longer used for weapon development, but for gem stone production.
While visiting Moscow in 1995 someone asked retired Army General and West Point graduate Carter Clarke if he wanted to buy a diamond making machine. Three months later he visited Moscow again with the scientist Reza Abbaschian and brought 3 of the machines and also 3 Russian scientists to Sarasota, Florida. After 7 years of research and development in cooperation with experts from the University of Florida his company brought high quality diamonds onto the market.
Carbon, in graphite form, is mixed with a metal flux in a cylindrical shape. A tiny seed diamond is placed at the bottom of the cylinder. The metal and graphite are subjected to extreme pressure, 850,000 lbf/in³ (5.9 MPa) and temperature, 3000 °F (1600 °C) for four days. During the period, the carbon atoms within the molten metal crystallize on top of the seed diamond. A three carat (600 mg) bright yellow gem quality diamond is produced inside the resolidified metal cylinder at the end. The metal cylinder is then dissolved in mild acid until the diamond crystal is extracted.
With the addition or elimination of certain impurities under controlled conditions, diamonds of various color can be produced. Since nitrogen is abundant in the atmosphere, this process is more likely to produce bright yellow diamonds than any other color. The yellow tint occurs when approximately five out of each 100,000 carbon atoms in the diamond crystal lattice are replaced with nitrogen atoms. It is ironic because natural yellow diamonds often have higher value than white diamonds.
Thunderbolt (band). diamonds
Thunderbolt is a Norwegian heavy metal band that combines the classical influence of bands like Iron Maiden, Helloween, and Black Sabbath with a more modern, powerful sound like that of Bad Brains and Entombed.
After releasing their demo Bandits at 6 O’Clock in 2001, the band received multiple offers for a record contract and subsequently signed in Scandinavia with Face Front / WME (and Massacre Records outside of Scandinavia) for the release of their 2003 debut album Demons and Diamonds. The album received acclaim in Norwegian and international music press and was even appreciated by the mainstream Norwegian press — rare for a band in this genre.
Following the success of Demons and diamonds, the band played several gigs and festivals in Norway, Germany, and Scandinavia from 2003 through 2005.
Recording and mixing of the follow up album Love and Destruction was finished in the summer of 2005. However, due to matters in the hands of the record label it took quite a while to make administrative arrangements and bring this album to the public, It was finally released Friday 19. May 2006 and followed up by a Norwegian tour together with Paul Di’Anno (although prior to the release) as well as a major European tour supporting King Diamond (May-June 2006).
Diamond willow. gia diamonds
Diamond willow is willow distinctively shaped as the result of attack by fungus (Valsa sordida, and possibly others), which has resulted in a diamonding effect occurring in the wood of the shrub or tree as the tree forms cankers, or diamonds (elongated ovals with pointed ends), in response to the infection, according to Lutz (see reference below). Lutz is careful to indicate that this is the most likely–but not necessarily definitive–cause of diamonding in willows.
There are at least six different species that have been identified as having diamonds, including Salix bebbiana, S. pseudomonticola, S. arbusculoides, S. discolor, S. scouleriana, and S. alaxensis. Other species may also be found with diamonding. Diamond Willow is also a common name for Salix eriocephala, also known as Heartleaf Willow.
The diamonding is usually found with a branch at its center or is found in the Y of a tree. Diamonding in willow does not seem to be specific to an area that willows grow in, and where one bunch of willow will have diamonds, the next clump of willows may have none at all. Although diamond willow is often thought of as being a northern phenomenon, of the boreal forest, there is mention of diamond willow growing as far south as Missouri.
Diamond willow is prized by wood carvers and furniture makers for its strong contrasting colors (red and white) and its sculptural irregularity of shape.
The tree grows diamond-shaped cankers in response to the fungus. The cankers seem to result from the tree growing away from the site of attack. This usually happens at the crotch of a branch on a larger branch or main stem. If the branch is relatively small it seems to die very quickly. If the branch is larger, it may continue to grow and the diamond is formed on the branch and the stem. By growing away from the fungus, new layers of growth occur further and further away from the site of the fungal attack. Thus the affected area gets larger and deeper. If the tree has been affected in several places close together, then the diamonds run into each other. This can result in pronounced ridges if some sapwood continues to survive, or it may strangle the small ridge of sapwood, which then dies.
The shape of the diamonds seems to vary from one clump of willow to the next, although there may be some general tendencies within a single species. Some stems will form long narrow diamonds; others will be short and wide. Usually all the diamonds on the stems in one clump will have similar growth patterns. If the new layers of sapwood do not move back very much each year, then the diamonds will be deep bowl- or cleft-shaped. These stems will be able to survive longer than those whose diamonds are flat and open.
The bark that is left overtop of the diamond changes quite markedly from the bark over the living sapwood. Depending on the species of willow, the living bark is usually smoother and slightly lighter in color. The bark over the diamond usually becomes rougher and somewhat darker. It also becomes tougher and adheres much more to the underlying wood. The sapwood is white to cream in color–again depending on the species, but also on the location. The heartwood is reddish-brown. This color tends to darken with exposure to light over a number of years.
If one stem in a clump of willow is affected, then all of them are likely to be. However, the neighboring clump may be completely without diamonds. As a side note, Lutz reported seeing Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) in Alaska that had depressions very similar to those in diamond willow.
- Carver’s Companion
A Roman Scandal. diamonds
A Roman Scandal was a synth pop band from Austin, Texas active from 1999 through 2001. Members included Tyler Jacobsen (from Denim and Diamonds and OMD 20/20), Sean O’Neal (from the Arm and This Microwave World), Chris Bultman (from the Daniel Johnston Band, Jad Fair, This Microwave World, and Denim and Diamonds), Alex Killough (from OMD 20/20), and Jason Reece (from …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead).
Winkle squeeze. gia diamonds
A winkle is a rare squeeze/endplay in contract bridge in which a trick is offered to the defenders but whichever wins the trick is then endplayed. Often one defender would be forced to offer a finesse or ruff and discard while the other could overtake and thereby promote a trick in that suit for declarer.
An example end-position, South needing 4 tricks:
On the play of the last spade, West and North let go clubs, and East is squeezed. Pitching a heart yields an immediate trick in that suit, but if a diamond is pitched declarer follows with Ace and 3 of diamonds. If East wins the trick, they must lead hearts conceding the last two tricks there. If West saves partner by playing the king of diamonds on the second diamond trick, they must then concede the last two tricks to dummy’s now high Ace of clubs and Jack of diamonds.
Allnatt Diamond. gia diamonds
The Allnatt Diamond is a diamond measuring 101.29 carats (20.258 g) with a cushion cut, rated in color as Fancy Vivid Yellow by the Gemological Institute of America. This diamond is named after one of its holders, Major Alfred Ernest Allnatt, a soldier, sportsman, art patron and benefactor. While it is not known precisely where the Allnatt originated, many experts believe that it was probably found in what is now known as the De Beers Premier Diamond Mine.
The Allnatt’s origins are unknown prior to Major Allnatt’s purchasing of the diamond in the early 1950s. After purchasing the diamond, he commissioned Cartier to make a setting for it. The final setting was a platinum flower with five petals, a stem and two leaves, all set with diamonds. The Allnatt was resold at auction in May 1996 by Christie’s in Geneva for $3,043,496 US. At the time of its sale the Allnatt was 102.07 carats (20.414 g). and was graded Fancy Intense Yellow. After being sold to the SIBA Corporation, the diamond was re-cut to its current weight and the intensity was upgraded as a result.
The Allnatt was displayed as part of the Smithsonian’s “The Splendor of Diamonds” exhibit, alongside The De Beers Millennium Star and The Heart of Eternity.
Gary Mulligan. diamonds
Gary Mulligan (born 23 April 1985 in Dublin) is an Irish U21 international footballer currently playing for Gillingham. He plays predominantly as a striker.
Mulligan started his career at Wolves for whom he made only one appearance as an 82nd minute substitute in the 1-1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor. Whilst at Wolves, Mulligan was loaned out to Rushden & Diamonds.
Mulligan made his debut for Diamonds, again as a substitute, in the 1-0 home defeat to Chester City. He was thrown in with half an hour to go with Diamonds already losing. Although he was not able to affect the score, he did show some neat touches, although he squandered a late chance to equalise when his low drive flashed wide.
Mulligan had clearly impressed the management and was rewarded with his first ever start in the away game with Wycombe. Diamonds went 1-0 down after 14 minutes, but just 4 minutes later Mulligan celebrated his first ever professional goal to equalise. As the Wycombe defence failed to clear a cross from the left Mulligan, with his back to goal, scored with a spectacular overhead kick from about 12 yards out that crashed in off the post. The game finished 1-1.
His next goal was a consolation goal in the 2-1 home defeat to Darlington as he lashed the ball home following a corner kick. Although Mulligan opened the scoring with a close-range strike in the match at home to Scunthorpe, Diamonds ended up losing 3-1. With a record of 3 goals in 12 games for a struggling Rushden & Diamonds side, Mulligan’s record was respectable.
He was snapped up on a free transfer by Sheffield United in 2005 although he only made 2 appearances for them in the League Cup as chances at Bramall Lane were limited. In the 2005/06 season he was farmed out on loan to both Port Vale and Gillingham. Although neither spell was especially prolific in terms of goals, he made an impact at Gillingham, where his hard-working style impressed manager Ronnie Jepson. On May 12th 2006 he signed for Gillingham on a permanent basis, on a free transfer.
He was third in the club’s 2006–07 player of the year voting behind Andrew Crofts and Mark Bentley.
It was announced on 17 September 2007 that Mulligan had signed a new contract, keeping him at the Kent club for another 2 years.
Henri Lemoine. diamonds
Henri Lemoine (fl. 1905–1908) was a French fraudster who claimed to be able to produce synthetic diamonds.
In 1905 Lemoine contacted Sir Julius Wernher, British banker and one of the governors of De Beers Diamond Mines. He said he had discovered a process to produce gem-sized diamonds from coal and agreed to sell his invention if Wernher would be willing to invest to further his research. He invited Wernher to his laboratory in Paris to witness the process. Wernher took Francis Oats, a De Beers executive, and two other associates with him.
Lemoine invited his guests in and left the room; moments later he reappeared naked, to prove that he was not concealing any diamonds in his clothing. He mixed a number of substances including iron filings and coal into a small crucible, showed the mixture to his guests, and placed it into a furnace in the center of the room.
After fifteen minutes, Lemoine removed the hot crucible and let it cool. Then he picked a pair of tweezers and took out about twenty small, well-formed diamonds. Oats examined the diamonds and demanded that Lemoine repeat the procedure. He did so successfully.
Wernher offered to pay Lemoine to develop his invention if he would keep it a secret. Lemoine agreed and promised him an option to buy his secret formula, which he deposited in a London bank deposit box.
For the next three years, Sir Julius sent Lenoine a total of £64,000. Lemoine promised to build a factory to duplicate diamonds; actually he just took a picture of an electric plant in southern France and sent it to Sir Julius.
In 1908 a Persian jeweller revealed that he had sold Lemoine small diamonds that matched the description of the diamonds Lemoine had shown during the first demonstration. Lemoine was indicted for fraud.
In court, Lemoine continued to claim that his process was genuine but was unable to duplicate it for the judges. The secret formula was unsealed by a court order; it was a mixture of powdered carbon and sugar. Before the court could agree on his guilt, Lemoine left the country for parts unknown.
Diamond color. gia diamonds
A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond is perfectly transparent with no hue, or color. However, in reality almost no gem-sized natural diamonds are absolutely perfect. The color of a diamond may be affected by chemical impurities and/or structural defects in the crystal lattice. Depending on the hue and intensity of a diamond’s coloration, a diamond’s color can either detract from or enhance its value. For example, most white diamonds are discounted in price when more yellow hue is detectable, while intense pink or blue diamonds (such as the Hope Diamond) can be dramatically more valuable. Out of all colored diamonds, red diamonds are the rarest of all. The Aurora Diamond Collection displays a spectacular array of naturally colored diamonds, including red color diamonds.
Diamonds occur in a restricted variety of colors — steel gray, white, blue, yellow, orange, red, green, pink to purple, brown, and black. Colored diamonds contain interstitial impurities or structural defects that cause the coloration, whilst pure diamonds are perfectly transparent and colorless. Diamonds are scientifically classed into two main types and several subtypes, according to the nature of impurities present and how these impurities affect light absorption:
Type I diamond has nitrogen (N) atoms as the main impurity, commonly at a concentration of 0.1 percent. If the N atoms are in pairs they do not affect the diamond’s color; these are Type IaA. If the N atoms are in large even-numbered aggregates they impart a yellow to brown tint (Type IaB). About 98 percent of gem diamonds are type Ia, and most of these are a mixture of IaA and IaB material: these diamonds belong to the Cape series, named after the diamond-rich region formerly known as Cape Province in South Africa, whose deposits are largely Type Ia. If the N atoms are dispersed throughout the crystal in isolated sites (not paired or grouped), they give the stone an intense yellow or occasionally brown tint (Type Ib); the rare canary diamonds belong to this type, which represents only 0.1 percent of known natural diamonds. Synthetic diamond containing nitrogen is Type Ib. Type I diamonds absorb in both the infrared and ultraviolet region, from 320 nm. They also have a characteristic fluorescence and visible absorption spectrum (see Optical properties of diamond).
Type II diamonds have very few if any nitrogen impurities. Type II diamonds absorb in a different region of the infrared, and transmit in the ultraviolet below 225 nm, unlike Type I diamonds. They also have differing fluorescence characteristics, but no discernible visible absorption spectrum. Type IIa diamond can be colored pink, red, or brown due to structural anomalies arising through plastic deformation during crystal growth—these diamonds are rare (1.8 percent of gem diamonds), but constitute a large percentage of Australian production. Type IIb diamonds, which account for 0.1 percent of gem diamonds, are usually a steely blue or grey due to scattered boron within the crystal matrix; these diamonds are also semiconductors, unlike other diamond types (see Electrical properties of diamond). However, an overabundance of hydrogen can also impart a blue color; these are not necessarily Type IIb.
Also not restricted to type are green diamonds, whose color is derived from exposure to varying quantities of radiation.
The majority of diamonds that are mined are in a range of pale yellow or brown color that is termed the normal color range. Diamonds that are of intense yellow or brown, or any other color are called fancy color diamonds. Diamonds that are of the very highest purity are totally colorless, and appear a bright white. The degree to which diamonds exhibit body color is one of the four value factors by which diamonds are assessed.
Color grading of diamonds was performed as a step of sorting rough diamonds for sale by the London Diamond Syndicate.
As the diamond trade developed, early diamond grades were introduced by various parties in the diamond trade. Without any co-operative development these early grading systems lacked standard nomenclature, and consistency. Some early grading scales were; I, II, III; A, AA, AAA; A, B, C. Numerous terms developed to describe diamonds of particular colors: golconda, river, jagers, cape, blue white, fine white, and gem blue, “brown”.
Grading the normal color range
Refers to a grading scale for diamonds in the normal color range used by internationally recognized laboratories (GIA & IGI for example). The scale ranges from D which is totally colorless to Z which is a pale yellow or brown color. Brown diamonds darker than K color are usually described using their letter grade, and a descriptive phrase, for example M Faint Brown. Diamonds with more depth of color than Z color fall into the fancy color diamond range.
Diamond color is graded by comparing a sample stone to a masterstone set of diamonds. Each masterstone is known to exhibit the very least amount of body color that a diamond in that color grade may exhibit. When sample stones are compared with the master stone, the grader assesses whether the sample has more, less or equal color to the masterstones. A grading laboratory will possess a complete set of masterstones representing every color grade. However, the independent grader working in a retail will possess a range of masterstones that covers only the typical grade range of color they expect to encounter while grading. A typical grading set of masterstones would consist of five diamonds in two grade increments, such as an E, G, I, K, and M. It is not common for a grader to possess a D masterstone, as the E masterstone is more useful in dividing the D and E color grades. The intermediate grades are assessed by the graders judgement.
Diamonds in the normal color range are graded loose, with the table facet facing downward and pavillion side upwards. When color grading is done in the mounting, other techniques will apply and the grade will usually be expressed as a range (for example F-G)
“D” color has a unique “icy” look to it. Diamonds that rate toward the colorless end of the range are sometimes known as “high-color” diamonds, and those toward the other end, “low-color” diamonds. These terms refer to the relative desirability (as demonstrated by market prices) of color grades, not the intensity of the color itself.
Yellow or brown color diamonds having color more intense than “Z”, as well as diamonds exhibitng color other than yellow or brown are considered fancy colored diamonds. These diamonds are graded using separate systems which indicate the characteristics of the color, and not just its presence. These color grading systems are similar to those used for other colored gemstones, such as ruby, sapphire, or emerald, than they are to the system used for white diamonds.
Colored diamond grading system
It refers to the color grading system used by internationally recognized laboratories (GIA and IGI for example)for colors that are not in the normal color range of diamonds. These laboratories uses a list of 27 color hues that span the full spectrum of colors. The tone and saturation of these hues are then described with one of nine descriptors;
- Faint,
- Very Light,
- Light,
- Fancy Light,
- Fancy,
- Fancy Intense,
- Fancy Vivid,
- Fancy Deep,
- Fancy Dark.
Color can also be determined using a device called the Gran Colorimeter, manufactured by Sarin Technologies. It measures from D to Z to Fancy Intense with an accuracy within ±½ of a color grade on loose stones from 0.25 to 10 carats (50 to 2,000 mg) (as low as 0.15 carat (30 mg) or as high as 20 carats (4 g) with reduced accuracy), and you can specify which grading scale it should use (GIA, GEM, IGI, AGS, HRD, and others). The accuracy is within ±1 color grade for mounted stones. If you diamond is a “G” color it will tell you whether it’s a “high G” or a “low G.”
The Gran colorimeter was first developed by Paul Gran in 1972 at Gran Computer Industries Ltd.
The Darya-I-Nur Diamond is one of the world's largest diamonds and definitely one of the unusual because of its pale pink color. It weighs about 182 carats (36.4 g) and its color is a pale pink which is one of the rarest to be found in diamonds. Its exact weight isn't known because its been mounted in its brooch setting for over 130 years. Its Persian name 'Darya-I-Nur' translates into English as the 'Sea of Light'
Diamonds that enter the Gemological Institute of America’s scale are valued according to their clarity and color. For example, a “D” or “E” rated diamond (both grades are considered colorless) is much more valuable than an “R” or “Y” rated diamond (light yellow or brown). This is due to two effects: high-color diamonds are rarer, limiting supply; and the bright white appearance of high-color diamonds is more desired by consumers, increasing demand. Poor color is usually not enough to eliminate the use of diamond as a gemstone: If other gemological characteristics of a stone are good, a low-color diamond can remain more valuable as a gem diamond than an industrial-use diamond, and can see use in diamond jewelry.
Diamonds that go out of scale in the rating are known as “fancy color” diamonds. Any light shade of diamond other than light yellow or light brown automatically falls out of the scale. For instance, a pale blue diamond won’t get a “G” or “K” color grade, it will get a Faint Blue or Light Blue grade. These diamonds are valued using different criteria than those used for regular diamonds. When the color is rare, the more intensely colored a diamond is, the more valuable it becomes. Fancy-colored diamonds such as the deep blue Hope Diamond are among the most valuable and sought-after diamonds in the world. The Aurora Diamond Collection of natural color diamonds is one of the most comprehensive diamond collections in the world.
- Haske, Martin. GIA GTL’s Color Grading Of Fluorescent Diamonds. (Retrieved March 15, 2005.)
