Only 1 in 10,000 diamonds possesses natural fancy color saturation, graded by hue, tone, and saturation rather than absence of color.
1. Color Grade Hierarchy & Causes
- GIA Intensity Scale: Faint → Very Light → Light → Fancy Light → Fancy → Fancy Intense → Fancy Vivid → Fancy Deep.
- Canary Yellow: Isolated nitrogen atoms substitute for carbon atoms in the diamond crystal matrix, absorbing blue light.
- Pink & Red Diamonds: Extreme lattice distortion (plastic deformation) during mantle ascent; Argyle mine closure has made pink diamonds premier investment assets.
- Blue Diamonds: Trace boron impurities absorb red light and impart electrical conductivity (e.g. Hope Diamond).