Diamonds are one of the most beloved gemstones in the world. A diamond can symbolize true love, making it the perfect gift for special occasions such as anniversaries and birthdays.
However, diamonds also come in many different colors, and each color can have a slightly different meaning. White diamonds are some of the rarest and most beautiful diamonds available, with only about 1% of all mined diamonds being white.
Here’s everything you need to know about white diamonds.
What Makes a Diamond White?
Unlike colored diamonds, which derive color from impurities in their crystal structure, white diamonds get their color from large quantities of nitrogen atoms. The larger these atoms are compared to regular carbon atoms; the whiter and brighter your diamond will be.
Many gemologists consider the D-color to be pure white, though you can sometimes find even better grades such as E and F-color.
Once your whiteness reaches VVS1 grade or higher, it’s no longer considered a white diamond but rather colorless—and therefore not subject to heat treatment.
The Grading Criteria for White Diamonds
The Gemological Institute of America’s color scale measures a diamond’s whiteness. White diamonds have similar grading systems. The GIA lists four criteria that determine how white a particular white diamond will be:
- Clarity: describes whether or not there are any visible flaws in your diamond.
- Cut: refers to symmetry and other aspects of your stone’s shape.
- Carat weight; refers to the diamonds size.
- Whiteness factor measures how much coloring is found in your stone.
Also, GIA uses grades from D to Z to determine the diamond’s color. Grade D means very light yellow, and grade Z indicates pure white. The GIA states that diamond grades D to F are colorless.
Shades of White Diamonds
White diamonds come in three shades: fancy white, near-white, and light white.
Fancy white diamonds are purer than near-whites and light whites, which means they have fewer flaws. There are more expensive than other white diamonds because they’re so hard to find.
Light whites are usually off-white or slightly yellowish; they’re often considered less valuable than fancy whites because their clarity isn’t as high. Near-whites fall between light whites and fancy whites on price and quality scales.
Is White Diamond the Strongest Gem?
Not only do white diamonds outshine most diamonds with the brightness of their color, but they are also the second strongest gems on earth. These features don’t stop at making them stand out visually, giving white diamonds a more desirable cost-to-weight ratio than other diamonds. They’re an excellent choice for those looking to give expensive gifts without breaking the bank or adding too much weight to their possessions.
What Is the Difference Between White Diamonds and Colored Diamonds?
A white diamond, also called a colorless diamond, is a natural diamond like yellow or rose gold. They’re created similarly, with carbon atoms compressed under heat and pressure into a hard stone.
The big difference between white and colored diamonds is due to their formation process; colored diamonds have additional impurities that give them their distinctive look.
White diamonds are essentially clearer and purer than most other stones on earth, making them more valuable than normal ones.
Final Thoughts
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