Diamond Color
Diamond color is the hue of a diamond based on the GIA diamond color scale, which grades the diamond's color on a spectrum of D (colorless) to Z (light yellow hue). It is a measurable grade given to a diamond to classify how colorless it is on the diamond color scale. The higher rated the diamond is, the more valuable the diamond will be (given all other criteria are the same).
Understanding what diamond color means can help you pick the perfect diamond. It is one of the diamond 4C's that has a very significant impact on the value of the diamond and is one aspect that you should pay attention to when buying a diamond.
The GIA Diamond Color Scale
The Gemological Institute of America, or GIA color scale, is the industry standard for diamond color grading. The official GIA diamond color scale (or diamond color chart) measures the color hue of diamonds on a spectrum of D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown shade
Colorless (D, E, F)
Near Colorless (G, H, I, J)
Faint Yellow (K, L, M)
The absence of color is what determines the diamond's grade and value, as well as has a significant impact on its appearance. A diamond is graded by comparing it with different stones in a master set. A professional diamond grader first identifies two master stones based on the test stone's range of color. The grader then decides the color grade based on the saturation of the diamond's color compared to the master set.
Diamond Color Grading
Colorless (D, E, F)
The colorless grades are D, E, and F.
The D color diamond is the highest color grade a diamond can receive. This means that the diamond is completely colorless, and there are no visible tints of yellow or brown in it. The D color diamond is the benchmark of quality, extremely rare, and emits unrivaled brilliance.
The E color diamond is the second best color grade you can get in a diamond and is also considered highly valuable, like the D color diamond. E-color diamonds offer excellent brilliance and sparkle; they are one of the most popular choices for diamond engagement rings and fine jewelry.
The F color diamond may contain very minute traces of color, but it isn't easy to detect with the naked eye. F-color diamonds are an excellent choice for those who want a high-quality, colorless diamond but want to avoid paying the premium price of D and E-color diamonds.
Near Colorless (G, H, I, J)
Containing noticeable color only when compared to higher color grades, G and H color diamonds still provide an excellent value.
G-color diamonds are the top diamond color grades in the near-colorless range, and they offer an outstanding appearance at a more affordable price than the diamonds in the colorless range. G-color diamonds are the perfect balance of beauty and budget.
H-color diamonds are still part of the near-colorless range, and despite the subtle tint of color, they are highly sought-after for their combination of excellent quality and value for money.
When cut perfectly, I and J color diamonds appear colorless to the untrained eye yet contain a slightly detectable and faint color.
Faint Yellow (K, L, M)
K, L, and M color diamonds are identified as having a "faint tint" on the diamond color scale. But even with the presence of color, these grades of diamonds can still emit fire and beauty.
Diamonds with these grades are excellent choices when you are looking to maximize the carat weight and consider choosing a yellow gold or rose gold setting so that the color will not be as apparent. These settings complement the color of the diamond and may even make it appear identical to a D color diamond.
Fancy Colored Diamonds
Fancy Colored Diamonds offer an exciting pop of color and are a bold and more exciting way to make your jewelry one-of-a-kind. Learn more about them and their rarity below.
All About Fancy Colored Diamonds
Colored diamonds or more commonly known as “fancy diamonds,” are beautiful and eye-catching gems. They are naturally created when trace elements interact with the billions of carbon atoms in the crystal lattice during the creation of the diamond resulting in a unique color.
Fancy color diamonds are outside the normal color range of the diamond color scale, and they exhibit colors other than light yellow or brown or possess a more intense yellow or brown than the ‘Z’ color rating. These stones are scarce, with only one out of ten thousand diamonds having a natural color.
Depending on a diamond’s coloration, intensity, and hue, color can either detract or enhance its value. Fancy color diamonds come in almost any color, and the naturally occurring diamond colors include gray, white, blue, yellow, orange, red, green, olive, pink, purple, brown, and black. Red stones are the rarest fancy color diamonds. Only around 20 to 30 authentic red diamonds are known to exist, and most are less than half a carat in size.
Grading a Fancy Colored Diamond
Fancy color diamonds are graded using the same process as grading colorless diamonds, where a diamond is compared against a set of master stones of a predetermined color. However, unlike colorless diamonds, fancy-colored diamonds are graded face up.
With colorless diamonds, the more transparent the diamond is, the higher the value. In the case of fancy-colored diamonds, the value increases with the intensity of the most prominent hue within the stone.
GIA grades the fancy color diamonds according to the intensity of the color, from Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Dark, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep, and Fancy Vivid.
The most crucial factor in determining the value of a naturally colored diamond’s value is its color’s strength and purity
Diamond Size FAQs
The best diamond color grade is D color, meaning the diamond is completely colorless, with no shade of yellow or brown in it. But this does not mean it is always the best diamond color you must put in your engagement ring, wedding ring, or any jewelry. If you want to save money, you can opt for a G, H, or I color diamond and then choose either a yellow or rose gold setting. These settings complement the diamond's color and may make your diamond appear identical to a D color diamond. But overall, the best diamond color is the one that appeals to you and suits your budget.
Although lab diamonds are created in a controlled lab environment, their qualities may vary. Lab-grown diamonds are graded using the same grading standards as natural diamonds, and GIA has Laboratory-Grown Diamond Reports that include the standard GIA color, clarity and cut grading scales.
Regarding diamond pricing, aside from the standard 4Cs, the basic rules of the economy also apply where supply and demand dictate the prices of the diamonds. Regardless if the diamond is colored or not, the value depends on the diamond's rarity and the people who are what others do not have.
Diamond fluorescence is the glow you may see when the diamond is exposed to ultraviolet light. Most diamonds emit a bluish glow, but on rare occasions, diamonds may emit a white, yellow, green, or orange glow. Roughly 30% of diamonds fluoresce, and some believe that fluorescence may cause the diamonds to appear hazy, milky, or cloudy. Some trade professionals believe diamonds with strong blue fluorescence will make the diamond appear whiter or near-colorless. However, the GIA conducted a study that fluorescence does not affect the visual performance of a diamond and should not be a significant factor when purchasing a diamond.
GIA considers fluorescence as an identifying characteristic but not a grading factor. Therefore fluorescence has little to no impact on what color the diamond is.
The most purchased diamond color is white or colorless diamonds with D to F color grades. These diamonds are highly valued and sought-after because of their purity, brilliance, and sparkle.
The most popular diamond color is nearly colorless, falling within the G to H color grades on the scale. These diamonds are most purchased because they are less expensive than the higher grades of colorless diamonds but still offer excellent fire and sparkle. Regarding clarity, the most popular choices are the SI1 and SI2 diamonds. These diamonds have slight inclusions but do not impact the overall beauty of the diamond as they are only visible under 10x magnification and not to the naked eye.
Generally, near-colorless diamonds that fall within the G to H color grades offer the best value if you want to maximize your budget. G to H color diamonds come just after the colorless range, so they still appear colorless to the naked eye but will save you hundreds of dollars. Ultimately, the diamond color choice depends on your preference and intended use of the diamond. Choosing a diamond that looks beautiful and fits within your budget is more important than choosing a diamond based on its perceived value.
