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Fancies Diamonds that enter scale are valued according to their clarity and colour. For example, a "D" or "E" rated diamond (both grades are considered colourless) is much more valuable than an "R" or "Y" rated diamond (light yellow or brown). This is due to two effects: high-colour diamonds are rarer, limiting supply; and the bright white appearance of high-colour diamonds is more desired by consumers, increasing demand. Poor colour is usually not enough to eliminate the use of diamond as a gemstone: If other gemmological characteristics of a stone are good, a low-colour diamond can remain more valuable as a gem diamond than an industrial-use diamond, and can see use in diamond jewellery. Diamonds that go out of scale in the rating are known as "fancy colour" 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" colour 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 colour is rare, the more intensely colored a diamond is, the more valuable it becomes. Fancy-coloured diamonds such as the deep blue are among the most valuable and sought-after diamonds in the world. |