Diamond Color

The color of a diamond comes from chemical impurities in the stone. The vast majority of diamonds have nitrogen as an impurity. They have a yellow or brown tint and too much tint affects the sparkle of the gem. So, the highest grade white diamonds are ones that have no color! There are also so-called fancy diamonds that have different chemical impurities and therefore different colors. These include pink, red, green, yellow and blue diamonds of gem quality and these can be very rare.

Diamond Color Grade

The worldwide standard for grading diamonds by color is that of the GIA, the Gemological Institute of America. Before color grading was standardized, gemologists used terms like Wesselton, river, jager, light yellow, very light yellow, cape, or other numbering regimes. Today, white diamonds are graded on a GIA D through Z scale with D having the least color. The GIA has a more flexible grading system for fancy diamonds. This system takes into account the fact that the saturation of color may vary among fancy diamonds. And generally, more color is better in these gems. Yellow diamonds can be graded fancy light, fancy, fancy intense, and fancy vivid. Blue diamonds, on the other hand, can grade from faint to fancy dark, deep, or vivid. It is best to purchase a certified diamond to get true value for your dollar.

White Diamonds: Less Color Is Better

You may not notice the color in a nice diamond ring but the faint color may reduce the sparkle and brilliance of the gem. Thus, less color is always better in white diamonds. It is easy to see when a diamond has a lot of yellow or brown tint. And these diamonds can be easily differentiated from colorless white diamonds. But, the GIA grading scale has 23 steps from D through Z. Recognizing the difference between the virtually colorless D diamond grade and an only slightly colored E diamond grade is difficult, if not impossible, for the non-professional. Gemologists use standardized stones for comparison.

White diamonds are graded by placing them with the table or top of the stone down against a white background. A gemologist will use GIA certified diamonds or a set of cubic zirconia also certified by the GIA for comparison. A diamond is color graded based which standard it matches.  Color grading takes into consideration the overall color of the body of the diamond. Even with a standardized set of diamonds, or GIA cubic zircon for comparison, this is a subjective process. Thus, several gemologists may examine a diamond to validate the collective grading. In the grading process, the entire body of the diamonds is examined. This process ends with the top of the diamond facing up. This, of course, makes sense because that is how diamonds are viewed.

GIA color scale

White Diamond Color Scale

The D scale white diamond is best and a Z scale white diamond is very yellow and something you will want to avoid. But there is more detail to the GIA D through Z diamond color scale.

Colorless Diamond: D through F

All diamonds in this color range have virtually no color. Only a trained gemologist, using the GIA color scale, will be able to identify color and if the diamond is a perfect D or a nearly perfect E or F grade. Of all gem quality diamonds, less than 1% qualify for the D to F grades. Ask us for more info about D to F color grade diamonds.

Near Colorless Diamond: G through J

This is the color range where a trained gemologist will begin to see color without using the standardized GIA system. The average person will still see these diamonds as colorless. The amount of color in this grading range is not enough to significantly decrease the sparkle, brilliance, and fire of a well-cut diamond. That makes G through J diamonds great values because they are less expensive than the D through F diamonds, but look as good to the untrained eye. G through J color grades make up about 15% of gem quality diamonds. Ask us for more info about G to J color grade diamonds.

Faint Color Diamond: K through M

Diamonds in this grading range have a faint brown or yellow tinge of color.  The average person may see color in these diamonds. More importantly, this is the color level at which sparkle begins to dull and the fire of the diamond starts to extinguish. Roughly 40% of gem quality diamonds fall into this grading range. Ask us for more info about K to M color grade diamonds.

N through R and S through Z Color Grade Diamonds

We do not carry diamonds in these color grades. N through R diamonds have enough color that any person can see it. S through Z diamonds have a deep and more obvious brown or yellow coloring. However, the color in these diamonds is a distraction from their clarity and interferes with their sparkle. The color is not enough or attractive enough to make them fancy colored diamonds.

The Best of the Best White Diamonds

Colorless Diamond: D

The D grade white diamond is the purest with no recognizable color. Diamonds of this quality are extremely rare and are the standard of perfection. Even a professional gemologist will not be able to tell with the naked eye if this is a D, E, or F grade diamond. But you will know. Set this diamond in white gold or platinum to best highlight its flawless whiteness and clarity. But, if you prefer yellow gold or rose, the D grade white diamond is still perfect. Ask for more information about Grade D colorless diamonds.

Colorless Diamond: E

This diamond only stands below the D grade in purity and lack of color. No one will see any color in this diamond with the naked eye. Even with tenfold magnification a grade E diamond will not show any hint of yellow or brown. This will be a beautiful diamond and a treasure for a lifetime. Ask for more information about Grade E colorless diamonds.

Colorless Diamond: F

The untrained eye will not see any color in a Grade F white diamond. Its sparkle, brilliance, and fire are extraordinary. This is a rare diamond and will be a joy forever. If you want what for all purposes is a perfect diamond at a lower price than a D or E grade stone, the colorless F grade diamond is for you. Ask for more information about Grade F colorless diamonds.

Near Colorless Diamond: G

A diamond of this color grade has such a minor hint of yellow that only a trained gemologist will see it. Because this diamond appears flawless to the naked eye, it can look as good as a higher graded gem. But a near colorless G grade diamond comes at a much more reasonable price. This makes a G diamond a fantastic combination of value and beauty. This diamond looks great in a platinum or white gold setting but works just fine with yellow gold or rose. Ask for more information about Grade G near colorless diamonds.

Near Colorless Diamond: H

An H color grade diamond is always very popular because it combines value and beauty. The color in this diamond is only slightly recognizable and not enough to affect sparkle and brilliance. This is a great color grade to work with when you are looking to see how much you can afford in terms of cut, clarity, and carat or size of the diamond. Ask for more information about Grade H near colorless diamonds.

Near Colorless Diamond: I

The slight tinge of color of an I color grade white diamond does not cause any loss of sparkle or brilliance. The untrained eye will not notice any color in this diamond, which gives you great value for the beauty of the stone. A colorless I grade diamond can be an excellent choice with the right gem and the right setting. Here is where you will want to talk to our gemologist about your purchase. Ask for more information about Grade I near colorless diamonds.

Near Colorless Diamond: J

The J color grade diamond has a slight shade of color but no loss of brilliance when compared to higher grades. Because this diamond costs less than higher color grades, you will have more leeway when choosing carat size, cut, and clarity. This can be a great diamond for any budget. One note of caution is to be careful if you choose this color grade and want a step cut diamond, as the color will be more obvious. Ask for more information about Grade J near colorless diamonds.

Faint Yellow Diamond: K

This color grade can look slightly yellow to the naked eye. This is especially true in large carat sizes of 1.50 or higher. However, this color grade still has excellent sparkle and brilliance. The reflection from this grade of stone will often have a yellow tint. An untrained eye will not see much of this and the faint yellow K diamond can be a bargain. Ask for more information about Grade K faint yellow diamonds.

Faint Yellow Diamond: L

This diamond will have a faint yellow color visible to the untrained eye. However, an L grade diamond has brilliance and sparkle comparable to a higher grade. Use a yellow gold setting for an L grade white diamond. This diamond may be the bargain you are looking for. Nevertheless, consult with one or gemologists before making a purchase. Ask for more information about Grade L faint yellow diamonds.

How Does Color Affect Diamond Price?

From mid color grade diamonds like a J or K up to a perfectly colorless D, the price increases with every grade increase. And the price differential also increases as you go further up the ladder of color grade perfection. The 8% difference between K and J grade turns into a 25% difference between F, E, and D grades. If you have the resources and want a perfect white diamond, you want something in the D, E, or F range. To get the same sparkle and brilliance for a lower price, look at diamonds with a hint of color at the I to K end of the grading scale.

All diamonds in the D to K range of color grade have sparkle, brilliance, and fire. Work with our gemologists to select the precious metal for your ring. For example, if you put a faint yellow K or L grade diamond in a ring with yellow gold it will appear more white and be very beautiful. Other suggestions you might consider are the amount of metal and type of setting. This is a way to show off more or less of the diamond. Color is one of the 4 C's that govern diamond price. If you go easy on your budget in terms of color you may be able to get a larger carat size, a more brilliant cut, or increased diamond clarity. Here is where talking with our gemologists will help you make the best choices.

A hint to buyers: The biggest cost jump in color grade is from G to F. Buying one color grade down in this grading range gives you very little noticeable difference in color but provides substantial relief to your budget.

Fancy Cut Diamond, Color Grade, and Price

Diamond cuts other than round cuts are called fancy. With these cuts, the color is more obvious. The difference is about one color grade. A good rule of thumb is that if you like a G color grade diamond in a round cut you will want an F color grade in a fancy cut diamond.

A round cut diamond  is also called a brilliant cut diamond and is the most popular.

The various fancy cuts include cuts such as princess cut diamond, marquise cut diamond, cushion cut diamond, emerald cut diamond, radiant cut diamond, pear-shaped diamond, radiant cut diamond, oval cut diamond, and Asscher cut diamond. With some these diamond cuts, such as pear, oval, and marquise, the color is more obvious at the edges and points. Princess, emerald, radiant, cushion and Asscher cuts reflect color from the body of the diamond.

And, larger diamonds are more likely to show their color grade more clearly than smaller stones. The bottom line here is that if you want a fancy cut diamond in a high carat size, you will need to go up the color grade scale as well. Ask our gemologists about what other things affect the price of your diamond.

We ranked the importance of the color grade (1-10: 1 is the least important, 10 is most important) as it relates to the shape of the diamond.

Shape

Rating

Note

Round

4/10

The brilliant facets of a round cut will mask color. This allows you to go with a lower color grade. Balance color with cut, clarity and carat in a round cut for the best look and value.

Princess

5/10

Depth and body size of this cut allows color to show more than with a round cut.

Emerald

6/10

This is an attractive cut but it has less sparkle than a round cut and less sparkle to mask color.

Asscher

6/10

The Asscher cut has a deep and open body. What color the diamond has will show more clearly with this cut. That is because broad facets have less sparkle. To reduce color in this cut you need to go up a color grade or two or you need to choose a smaller diamond less than one carat with smaller facets. This cut has a significant size to color trade off.

Oval

7/10

A more elongated oval cut with points will have less obvious color in the body of the diamond. But the color will show on the edges and points. These factors are more obvious in a diamond of more than one carat. One route the diamond cutter may take is to create a deeper stone in which the color shows less.

Marquise

8/10

The marquise is an elongated cut and color will show more at the points. If you are interested in this cut ask to see images of such longer cuts and make sure you understand how color will affect the look of the diamond. This is another tradeoff between cut, size and color grade.

Pear

8/10

Be careful with pear shapes as color shows more at the points. This is especially true in a very narrow cut. You may want to go up one color grade to ease the color issue.

Heart

8/10

The curved upper edge and pointed bottom of a heart shaped diamond are where color will show. This is less of a problem with diamonds less than 1.25 carats. For larger diamonds go up one color grade.

Radiant

9/10

Depending on the kind of faceting the diamond cutter creates, a radiant diamond may show more or less color. This is another example of where going up one grade in color may solve your problem.

Cushion

9/10

Cushion cut diamonds show more color if they have large and open facets. If a brilliant cut approach is used, color will be less of a problem. Ask our gemologist about the faceting on this diamond and how it affects color.

The Effect of Fluorescence in Diamonds Color

Diamonds can fluoresce. That means they shine when exposed to ultraviolet or UV light, also called a black light. This is caused by trace elements like boron in the body of the diamond. We may think that UV light is only present in places where they dance disco at night but, in fact, ten percent of sunlight is UV light. Thus fluorescence is a factor for diamonds every day. Diamond fluorescence can improve the look a lower color grade diamond and worsen the look of a high-grade stone. When buying a D to G color grade diamond, the amount of fluorescence should be faint or none. Otherwise, your high quality high color grade diamond will have a tint of white or gray. When you buy a low color grade diamond the effect of fluorescence is to improve how it looks as fluorescence tends to whiten the diamond. We suggest fluorescence in strong, or at least medium level, for J, K, and L color grades.

Diamond Color Grading and Tips When You Buy

If you feel confused when you go shopping for a diamond, you are not the first. Just with color, there is such a large range of grades it can be hard to know where to start. And then, of course, there are cut, carat, and clarity to consider. Here we start with a few suggestions to make it easier to choose the diamond color grade.

Most of us shop for a mix of quality or value and price. That means most of us should be looking for a diamond in the G through J grade range. These diamonds have the sparkle and brilliance of higher grades and color is not the problem seen in lower grades. The exception to this rule of thumb is when you want a diamond larger than one carat, in which case the range in which to look for value and price is grades G and H. The problem is that a little bit of color that is not noticeable in a brilliant cut smaller diamond may be obvious in a larger diamond with larger and open facets. The same consideration applies to fancy cut diamonds.

If what you really want is a larger diamond, then do not skimp on the color grade. Color and cut are the most important things to consider when picking your diamond. They are what turn a dull rough diamond into a sparkling masterpiece.

Remember when you are looking at loose diamonds, that when set in a ring, your diamond will be surrounded by the color of the precious metal used. In the real world, you will not be displaying D and H diamonds set side by side on a white surface. Your diamond will be set in a ring and seen under normal lighting conditions. In the real world, an H grade diamond may well seem as colorless and pure as a perfect D grade.

When choosing a pure white D grade, diamond gemologist usually suggest a white gold or platinum setting. If your diamond is a lower grade with a faint hint of yellow, the better choice is yellow or rose gold. This choice will make the hint of yellow in the diamond less obvious.

The right ring setting can be useful with a faintly yellow diamond. A bezel or channel setting will partially cover the diamond and help hide that hint of color. Solitaire settings that showcase the diamond should be reserved for higher grade diamonds.

And, remember that even gemologists really cannot tell one color grade from the next one in the normal environment where jewelry and especially engagement rings live their lives. So, don’t sweat the small stuff if the color grade is not perfect. And, if you have questions, ask our gemologist. Our goal is that you end up with the diamond and setting that works best for you.

If you have questions about color and diamond pricing contact us today.

Specific Diamond Buying Tips for High-Quality D to F Color Grade Diamonds

When you purchase a diamond with a color grade of D, E, or F, you are buying a gem that does not have a visible hint of color. The D grade is purer than and the E grade and E is purer than an F grade. But, to the naked eye in normal viewing conditions, these grades are indistinguishable. This is important to know because there is a substantial price increase from F to E and from E to D grade. If you are buying a certified D color grade diamond as an investment you will want exactly that gem. If what you want is a combination of value and price, an F color grade diamond may work just fine.

Specific Diamond Buying Tips for G to J Color Grade Diamonds

Diamonds in color grades G through J are in the colorless category of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). These diamonds have the same sparkle, brilliance, and fire that higher color grades have. And this range of color grades is much more affordable. If you want to be sure of being as colorless with your diamond as possible, stick with G and H grades. If you pick color grades J and K, you will want a smaller diamond and a round cut. Using rose or yellow gold as a setting also allows you to safely move down the color grade scale. The larger the diamond you want the higher up the scale you want to go. This especially applies to fancy cut diamonds which tend to show color more than round cuts.

Specific Diamond Buying Tips for K and L Color Grade Diamonds

Diamonds in grades K and L have a faint yellow tint. The color is less likely to be noticed in a smaller diamond with a round, brilliant cut where the sparkle holds the viewer's attention. Larger diamonds than 1.0 carat and fancy cut diamonds have broader and more open facets which will make the color of these diamonds more obvious. However, some prefer the warm yellow look these diamonds, especially in a setting of yellow or rose gold. This grade of color also works well with a ring of antique or vintage design.

Matching Color with Side Stones and Accent Diamonds

High-quality fine jewelry often uses accent diamonds and side stones. All too often jewelers will use a lower color grade for the smaller diamonds. Unfortunately, the end result is less appealing as the hints of color or lack of color from one diamond in the set should be matched by all of the others. This is especially important in three stone and halo settings. The larger diamond is the one to match because a larger stone will display more color. The grades need not be a perfect match as color is harder to see in smaller diamonds but the jeweler should use diamonds of at least adjacent color grades.

The Colors of Fancy Colored Diamonds

In the world of diamonds, there are fancy cuts and there are fancy colors. Fancy colored diamonds are those with colors beyond the D to Z grading scale. One in every ten thousand gem-quality diamonds is a fancy color. These colors occur because the chemical inclusions in the diamond are not nitrogen which causes the yellow to brown unwanted color in white diamonds. These impurities are elements like boron in blue diamonds. Fancy diamond colors include blue, red, green, orange, brown, yellow, gray, black, pink, and purple. Some fancy diamonds are even rarer than others. For example, there are fewer than 50 red diamonds in the world. Besides being named by their colors some fancy diamonds have names like canary, chocolate, cognac, champagne, or icy.

GIA grading for fancy color diamonds is based on strength or depth of color and if there are hints of other colors present as well. Due to the complexity of evaluating a fancy diamond and because beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder, we strongly recommend that you view a fancy diamond in person prior to purchase. In this case, a photo or video may not convey the sparkle, brilliance, and fire of a high grade fancy diamond.