Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow color?

[LALove]

I saw a light yellow RB on a woman at a wedding and LOVED the color-- it wasnt fancy vivid/intense but a pale pastel shadow of yellow (not white with tint). I didn't get a chance to speak with her so have no idea what the color grade was..

I want to start looking around for a similar color stone but have no clue which color grade starts to shows a definite pale yellow color.. Would S or would I have to go to W-Z? I want the palest yellow but still definitely yellow.

Thanks in advance!

 

[RockHugger]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

I would say K.LMN are obvious pale yellow.

 

[LALove]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

I would say K.LMN are obvious pale yellow.

thanks for replying!

Hmm I'm sure cut plays a factor - ie well cut stones hide body color; they sparkle more so you (meaning me) don't notice "tint" as much but the well cut Ks I've seen here look creamy white. I was looking for which grade is a definite yellow as opposed to creamy/antique white.. The Ms and Ns I've seen here and at GOG look more creamy/antique/vanilla white - to me.

 

[RockHugger]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

It all depends on how sensitive you are to color. I see yellow in k...but maybe an o or p would be better for you if you just see creamy white.

 

[jstarfireb]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

Glitterata has an S color Infinity round that's really pretty, and a noticeable light yellow color...
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/infinity-i1-s-color-set-in-silver.124781/

Here are a few more...
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ry-warm-diamond.146848/#post-2651626#p2651626

 

[kenny]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

E.

If an E didn't show definite color it would be a D.

I suspect you need to pick a different word than "definite" to get the answer you seek.
Even then, people vary, cuts vary, settings vary.

Things are not so definite when it comes to THE absolute color grade where X happens.

 

[diamond_seeker]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

G or H or I...depending on the viewer.

 

[LALove]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

E.

If an E didn't show definite color it would be a D.

I suspect you need to pick a different word than "definite" to get the answer you seek.
Even then, people vary, cuts vary, settings vary.

Things are not so definite when it comes to THE absolute color grade where X happens.

LOL Kenny! I guess I'm not very "color sensitive" at all.

What I mean is which grade(s) in an ideal cut RB looks close to the color of the stones in the attached pic. Those are definitely paler yellow than a fancy intense/vivid...

Since I'll most likely be purchasing online and pictures don't always show true colors, I don't want to buy an "x" color stone thinking it will be a pale yellow color and once I get it it just appears tinted or yellowish white.. I'm just looking for a ballpark idea..

BTW- your colored diamonds (especially that AMAZING green!!!) have to be the prettiest colored stones I've ever seen!!

 

[LALove]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

It all depends on how sensitive you are to color. I see yellow in k...but maybe an o or p would be better for you if you just see creamy white.

Ya I guess I'm really not very color sensitive- I mean I definitely see tint in those colors and they don't look like D/E buuuuttt I'm looking for more than super faint yellow and less than intense/vivid and just haven't found much info/pics on colors below L..

 

[LALove]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

Glitterata has an S color Infinity round that's really pretty, and a noticeable light yellow color...
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/infinity-i1-s-color-set-in-silver.124781/

Here are a few more...
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ry-warm-diamond.146848/#post-2651626#p2651626

That was really helpful! Thank you!!

 

[Anonymous6]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

It really does depend on the cut quality as well...

Here are some youtube videos by GoG comparing their H&A diamonds in different colors... I can only slightly see warmish tones when turned upside down and when next to a D+ color... face up, it's REALLY hard. But again, these are H&A stones and I know that makes a difference.

D vs I vs J vs H
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8hNlDgOEcs

H vs J vs K
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziZ1S8ZlZEE

J vs O
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZMfDnOpLBQ&feature=related

There's probably similar videos out there as well but I just pulled these for now

 

[purplesilk]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

Don't forget that you can help diamonds to show their yellow tint by putting them in a yellow gold setting...it helps a lot.

 

[D&T]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

Here is a picture of my GIA graded S-T color diamond I once had. Excellent cut, next to my AGSO K color RB in yellow gold. Hope this helps, I think if you flanked next to a D E F color sidestone (three stone) or a halo then it will show the "definite" yellow imo. but on its own in a solitaire, it looked a bit "off" too me in a modern cut HTH

 

[tyty333]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

I like looking at this page...it may help some except the stones arent RB. I also like that light yellow color.
http://diamondsbylauren.com/DBL_Yellow_diamond_grading.shtml

Edit - seems like you might want to be down in the Y-Z since you are not color sensitive or even into the
Fancy light yellows.

 

[Natylad]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

LALove this is my 1.22 ct M color diamond and you can see that there's definitely yellow there!

 

[LALove]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

It really does depend on the cut quality as well...

Here are some youtube videos by GoG comparing their H&A diamonds in different colors... I can only slightly see warmish tones when turned upside down and when next to a D+ color... face up, it's REALLY hard. But again, these are H&A stones and I know that makes a difference.

D vs I vs J vs H
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8hNlDgOEcs

H vs J vs K
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziZ1S8ZlZEE

J vs O
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZMfDnOpLBQ&feature=related

There's probably similar videos out there as well but I just pulled these for now

Thanks! The color isn't so super obvious to me.. unless it was next to a D or bottom up..

 

[LALove]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

Don't forget that you can help diamonds to show their yellow tint by putting them in a yellow gold setting...it helps a lot.

I was thinking about getting it set (if I even do find a light yellow ex cut stone that I like) in a bezel halo setting- yellow gold bezel and then white gold halo with colorless diamonds..

I think I've read about a "cup" or something helping enhance the yellow? Not sure what that is... Have to research that a bit more.

 

[LALove]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

Here is a picture of my GIA graded S-T color diamond I once had. Excellent cut, next to my AGSO K color RB in yellow gold. Hope this helps, I think if you flanked next to a D E F color sidestone (three stone) or a halo then it will show the "definite" yellow imo. but on its own in a solitaire, it looked a bit "off" too me in a modern cut HTH

Thanks! That does help. The S/T definitely looks yellow but not quite as much as I'd like-- but I do think, like you said, if it was set next to colorless stones, the yellow would "pop" more-- that's a really good idea. I want to set it in a halo but was originally thinking yellow gold with yellow diamonds but I think the contrast of colorless stones in the halo would look better with a pale yellow..

Thank you!

 

[LALove]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

I like looking at this page...it may help some except the stones arent RB. I also like that light yellow color.
http://diamondsbylauren.com/DBL_Yellow_diamond_grading.shtml

Edit - seems like you might want to be down in the Y-Z since you are not color sensitive or even into the
Fancy light yellows.

Thanks! That page helps... Wow looks like Y-Z would definitely be yellow enough.. Maybe even a bit higher if I set it next to colorless stones...

 

[LALove]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

LALove this is my 1.22 ct M color diamond and you can see that there's definitely yellow there!

I remember this ring- very lovely! I def do see yellow in it but I'm starting to think that the lowest range before fancy is where I should look to ensure the amount of saturation I want. Thank you for posting this!

 

[Rockdiamond]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

Great discussion!
You bring up a good point LA- setting next to colorless stones makes a HUGE difference in how much yellow you'll see in a light yellow
Another point is that the type of cut also has a big impact on perceived color.
Round brilliant is the worst for showing face up color- so many cutters go for Radiant or Cushion in the lighter shades.
If that's the case, I find that stones from S-T and darker look perceivably yellow - again, if it's set in yellow gold, and next to colorless side stones that makes the big difference.

If we're talking round, it's much more hit and miss.
Most times U-V, W-X, Y-Z and even fancy light yellow look very faint in the face up position.
But I've also seen some round stones in those shades showing very nice color.
The photo is a stone GIA graded W-X- and it really showed color.
Could be due to the imperfections...... which was why we did not stock it.

 

[LALove]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

Great discussion!
You bring up a good point LA- setting next to colorless stones makes a HUGE difference in how much yellow you'll see in a light yellow
Another point is that the type of cut also has a big impact on perceived color.
Round brilliant is the worst for showing face up color- so many cutters go for Radiant or Cushion in the lighter shades.
If that's the case, I find that stones from S-T and darker look perceivably yellow - again, if it's set in yellow gold, and next to colorless side stones that makes the big difference.

If we're talking round, it's much more hit and miss.
Most times U-V, W-X, Y-Z and even fancy light yellow look very faint in the face up position.
But I've also seen some round stones in those shades showing very nice color.
The photo is a stone GIA graded W-X- and it really showed color.
Could be due to the imperfections...... which was why we did not stock it.

Thanks for coming in to the discussion! the color on that stone is GORGEOUS, IMO. I LOVE it. I'd totally go for a cushion but finding a chunky one that faces up well and is light yellow is proving to be not such an easy task. I love radiants but not the smaller face up size.. I guess I'll just have to see as many rounds as possible.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

My pleasure LA!!

"Chunky" cushions in this color range are virtually non existent.
You'll find crushed ice cushions.
We've seen precious few yellow looking "chunky" stones.

 

[Lula]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

It's been my experience with "lower" color RB's that they are chameleons -- i.e., they change color depending on the lighting they are in. All diamonds reflect their environment (if you're wearing a pink shirt, your diamond will reflect the pink). But stones in the faint yellow range have an additional "warmth" to them that goes beyond just reflecting the environment. The stone takes on a completely different hue and this change is noticeable to other "lay" people.

I could see a bit of this color change phenomenon in my J. But other people could not see it. However, with my M, the color change was striking. On sunny days, it was a soft white, face-up. On overcast days, it was a definite pale yellow. Indoor lighting also caused the stone to change -- under fluorescent lights, in a room that was a darker color, or if I was wearing green, or gold, or brown, my M was noticeably yellow -- to the point where a coworker once asked me if it was a citrine! (She thought it was pretty -- don't get me wrong). A few jewelers asked me if it was a champagne diamond, because in their lighting it looked less soft yellow and more golden, or brown-yellow.

I thought I would like the chameleon nature of the lower colors, but I just don't. And I think to avoid this "color-change" phenomenon, you would have to find a stone in the S and below range. Only then would the stone be uniformly pale yellow face-up, under all lighting conditions. I do agree that surrounding the stone with white melee will emphasize the color, and I may have liked my M more had it been surrounded by super-white melee like Naty's is.

I now own an I color, and it is white under 99% of lighting conditions. It is set in yellow gold now, and if I reset it in white gold, it would probably be even "whiter." I want my diamond to be a consistent color across lighting conditions. But that's my preference. I still open every thread about lower color stones, because they have a beauty all their own -- I just prefer looking at them on someone else!

 

[LALove]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

Thank you for your post Lula! If I do end up with a pale yellow stone I definitely want it to look pale yellow all the time.. I think I'm leaning towards xyz range especially if I go with an ex cut RB..

 

[starshine]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

Here's an August Vintage Cushion that's only a P, but might be worth checking out! It looks very yellow to me!

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7805/

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

I think if you want the true lemony yellow you need to stick really far down the scale, like U-V ideally. The K-M range, to my eye, does not look so much lemony or buttery as slightly warm still, and it is not enough me thinks to give the look you are after.

 

[lovemybling]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

OHHHH starshine I LOVE that AVC if only it was a little bigger

 

[yssie]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

It's been my experience with "lower" color RB's that they are chameleons -- i.e., they change color depending on the lighting they are in. All diamonds reflect their environment (if you're wearing a pink shirt, your diamond will reflect the pink). But stones in the faint yellow range have an additional "warmth" to them that goes beyond just reflecting the environment. The stone takes on a completely different hue and this change is noticeable to other "lay" people.

I could see a bit of this color change phenomenon in my J. But other people could not see it. However, with my M, the color change was striking. On sunny days, it was a soft white, face-up. On overcast days, it was a definite pale yellow. Indoor lighting also caused the stone to change -- under fluorescent lights, in a room that was a darker color, or if I was wearing green, or gold, or brown, my M was noticeably yellow -- to the point where a coworker once asked me if it was a citrine! (She thought it was pretty -- don't get me wrong). A few jewelers asked me if it was a champagne diamond, because in their lighting it looked less soft yellow and more golden, or brown-yellow.

I thought I would like the chameleon nature of the lower colors, but I just don't. And I think to avoid this "color-change" phenomenon, you would have to find a stone in the S and below range. Only then would the stone be uniformly pale yellow face-up, under all lighting conditions. I do agree that surrounding the stone with white melee will emphasize the color, and I may have liked my M more had it been surrounded by super-white melee like Naty's is.

I now own an I color, and it is white under 99% of lighting conditions. It is set in yellow gold now, and if I reset it in white gold, it would probably be even "whiter." I want my diamond to be a consistent color across lighting conditions. But that's my preference. I still open every thread about lower color stones, because they have a beauty all their own -- I just prefer looking at them on someone else!

Lula this is a fantastic description - I can imagine exactly what you mean!

 

[LALove]

Re: Which GIA color grade starts to shows definite yellow co

Here's an August Vintage Cushion that's only a P, but might be worth checking out! It looks very yellow to me!

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7805/

Thanks! Its lovely I think I'm becoming slightly obsessed with AVCs