<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Color</strong> describes the amount of color the diamond contains.  This can range from colorless to yellow with slight tints of yellow, gray or brown.  Colors can also range from intense yellow to brown, blue, green, pink, and red.  These fancy colors are rare and therefore more valuable.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The brilliance of a diamond is determined by the quality of its cut, not the color.  When cut properly, it is very difficult to see the difference between two-color grades, F-G, G-H, etc., when the stones are faced up.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Fluorescence:</strong> Fluorescence is an emission of light from within a diamond and can occur naturally.  To detect it, a "black light" or ultraviolet light must be used.  Yellow fluorescence and, in some cases, strong blue fluorescence may make a diamond cloudy or milky, even under daylight.  In "lower" colors (I, J, K, and below) some blue fluorescence may help the diamond to <strong>appear whiter </strong>than it technically is.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Be Aware!</strong> It is possible to influence the color of a diamond by irradiation treatment followed by heat treatment.  This method is not recommended for two reasons:</span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">There is risk involved with exposure to irradiated objects.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">There is risk that the irradiated stone will change colors over time.</span></li>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></ol>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>The Diamond Source <span style="text-decoration: underline;">does not </span>deal in diamonds that have been enhanced in any way!</strong></span></p>
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