The Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF) launched the first ever industry Fancy Color Rarity Evaluator (FCRE™) at the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. The FCRE™ provides proprietary rarity estimates to all yellow, pink and blue fancy colour diamonds based on the diamond’s carat weight, colour, colour intensity, clarity and shape.

Each fancy coloured diamond will be allocated a Rarity Level, from Common to Super-Stone along with a range estimate for the number of such diamonds unearthed in mines each year, FCRF said.

The Evaluator has been developed after more than five years of research during which FCRF systematically collected supply information from leading miners and grading labs which was then analysed and processed.

Prior to this, certificates accompanying a diamond did not indicate the level of rarity, and so collectors and investors depended for this on qualitative information from miners, auctions houses, retailers and wholesalers.

The FCRF began to develop this important tool at the request of jewellers and institutional investors for high quality rarity data.

Partnering with select high-end jewellers, the FCRF is planning to introduce Rarity Certificates that will accompany select diamond jewellery pieces in Q4 2016.  The FCRF believes that the transparency and information will enhance consumer appreciation of the fancy colour diamond segment, and promote further adoption.

FCRE™ can be accessed at www.fcresearch.org/rarity.  Once logged in, the user can either input a GIA grading certificate number or manually enter the diamond’s carat weight, color, color strength, shape and clarity. The FCRE™ will process the data and provide a detailed output, highlighted by the diamond’s Rarity Level.

Nicole Snitman, Vice President of Guildhall Diamonds said, “We really like the rarity tool on the FCRF site. It has been quite beneficial for us when we are selling a diamond because we can visibly quantify to our clients just how valuable these diamonds are. An "exceptionally rare" rating on a report is so rewarding to see from such a trusted industry source as the FCRF. The rarity tool is the missing piece of the equation.”

FCRE™ will give free access for five days after the launch, but will thereafter be limited to FCRF annual members.