Natural diamonds
Fancy grey and salt-and-pepper distinctions confuse buyers shopping by clarity alone
Buyers filtering natural stones by standard clarity grades sometimes miss fancy grey and salt-and-pepper stones entirely, since both are priced and marketed outside the usual clarity scale.
Imperial Star Gems trade desk1 min read
Buyers filtering natural stones by standard clarity grades sometimes miss fancy grey and salt-and-pepper stones entirely, since both sit outside the usual clarity-driven pricing logic.
- Fancy grey stones get their colour from trace elements and can carry a standard clarity grade; salt-and-pepper stones are graded more on the visual pattern of their inclusions than a conventional scale.
- A search filtered strictly by clarity grade can exclude salt-and-pepper stones that would otherwise suit a buyer looking for something unconventional.
- The two are sometimes confused with each other despite being different categories, which is worth clarifying before assuming a stone's price reflects a standard clarity grade.
If you're after something outside the standard palette, it's worth browsing by description rather than clarity filter alone — contact us and describe the look you want.
Market commentary drawn from publicly available market data and trade reporting, not investment advice. Prices move; figures are indicative and correct as of the date above.