How to Choose a Pink Diamond

Naturally colored Australian pink diamonds have only one source in the world, and their rarity makes them the most costly of all diamond gemstones. This makes buyers looking for pink diamonds prey for unscrupulous dealers. Examination and documentation aren't always enough proof of authenticity. Find out how to make sure that your pink diamond or diamond jewelry purchase is legitimate and that the stone is of adequate quality for its price and purpose.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Learn About the Color Palette for Pink Diamonds

1. Discover the light and dark shades of pinks. As defined by the diamond trade industry, from lightest to darkest, these include: fancy light, dark, intense, deep and vivid. Colors fainter than fancy light would not be considered high quality.

2. Get to know the hues of pink. Often, a second color enriches a pink diamond, resulting in combinations such as orange pink, lilac pink or brownish pink.

3. View a variety of loose pink diamonds to gauge their color shades and intensities, so you'll have a scale to work with as you choose.

Choose Pink Diamonds for Beauty and Quality

4. View pink diamonds for your initial reaction to color and brilliance. Set aside your favorites for comparison.

5. Assess the clarity of stones under magnification and different lighting. Occlusions, or natural cracks, may add character but detract from brilliance. You'll have to decide which of these aspects is most important to you.

6. Note whether the cut of a diamond is appropriate for the type of setting you desire, or ask the jeweler if that stone may be recut.

7. Consider your final impression of a diamond--that is, how color and clarity are additionally informed by cut or a setting, if it has one.

Tips & Warnings

• First impressions are important. Even a diamond of the highest quality is worthless to you if it doesn't move you. Your emotional reaction upon first seeing a stone should be among the deciding factors in whether or not you will choose it.
• A secondary color that enhances the overall look is desirable. One that overwhelms or clashes with the primary pink is not.
• You can purchase pink diamond jewelry on the Internet, but it's best to view stones in person at a shop a few times so that you'll know what you're looking for.
• Ensure that your verification of the origins and authenticity of a pink diamond comes from an unaffiliated lab, not one that is part of a trade organization. The best dealers provide GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certification.