Clarity grades can be assigned to fancy colored diamonds the same way as diamonds in the colorless range, however, clarity is not one of the most important factors in determining the value of natural color diamond. It is a consideration in the valuation, but not a critical factor. In other words, a natural color diamond with deeper color and lower clarity is considered more desirable than one with lighter color and higher clarity. Often times, the unaided eye cannot detect inclusions in a fancy colored diamond because these characteristics blend in with the diamond’s color.

Cut is also not considered a critical factor in valuating a natural color diamond, since the diamond is typically fashioned to enhance the color as much as possible while retaining the maximum amount of weight from the rough crystal. This practice lends itself to brilliant cut styles, as opposed to step-faceted, with deeper cut proportions and thicker girdles on finished diamonds. The most common shapes found in large fancy colored diamonds are radiant cuts and cushion cuts. Though rounds are by far the most popular shape for diamonds in the colorless range, fancy colored diamonds do not hold color as well in this shape. Premium-Ideal cut proportions in rounds can improve the “face-up” color of a diamond in the normal range, but will actually cause the strength of the color in a fancy colored diamond to appear weaker due to the way light performs.