Diamond Color
What Is Diamond Color?
Diamond color refers not to the presence of color within a diamond but to the absence or lack of it. As one of the 4 C's used to describe and determine diamond quality, it is an important factor in a diamond's appearance and value. A technically perfect diamond, like a drop of pure water, is colorless, while others may contain a slight yellowish tint or a fancy color, such as pink or blue.
Diamond Color Scale
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed the diamond color scale in the 1940s to standardize diamond color grading internationally. The scale begins with the letter D, which represents colorless, and increases in color presence to the letter Z, which represents as light yellow, grey, pink, or brown.
Colorless Diamond Grades
D, E, and F are colorless grades. D and E-colored diamonds have virtually no color, and F diamonds have a nearly undetectable amount of color that shows only in the face-down position (when the diamond is viewed from the bottom). These icy-white diamonds are the rarest and the highest quality in color.
D Color
D is the highest color grade awarded only to completely colorless diamonds. To the naked eye, D color diamonds feature an icy whiteness that contains no color at all.
E Color
E-color diamonds are colorless and appear almost identical to D-color diamonds. The majority of the time, the difference between these two grades is only visible to an expert gemologist
F Color
F-color diamonds are also colorless and appear almost identical to D and E-color diamonds. Generally, only an expert gemologist or trained professional can distinguish between a D, E, and F-color diamond when viewing them from a top-down position.
Colorless Diamond Value
Colorless diamonds are the rarest and most expensive white diamonds, as they are considered the highest quality on the GIA color scale. Since only an expert can easily tell the difference between a D, E, or F-colored diamond, they all make for top-notch, premium options when considering which color is best for you.
Near Colorless Diamond Grades
G, H, I, and J are near colorless grades. They can feature a warmth but mostly look colorless face-up and nearly colorless face-down. When mounted in a yellow or rose gold setting, they may appear to have slight traces of color that are generally not noticeable without a professional eye.
G Color
G is the highest color grade in the near-colorless range. It displays nearly no color, appearing mostly colorless to the naked eye.
H Color
H-color diamonds also appear mostly colorless to the naked eye but can have a faint yellow tint against white backgrounds or in bright lighting. This very slight tint may be noticeable when compared to diamonds of a higher color grade but is generally not apparent to the untrained, unaided eye.
I Color
I-color diamonds have a slight tint that's apparent against white backgrounds or in bright lighting. Like H-color diamonds, their slight tint may be noticeable when compared to diamonds of a higher color grade but is generally not apparent to the untrained, unaided eye.
J Color
J-color diamonds have a slight tint when viewed against white backgrounds or in bright lighting. Like H and I-color diamonds, their tint may be noticeable when compared to diamonds of a higher color grade, but it's generally not apparent to the untrained, unaided eye.
Near Colorless Diamond Value
Near-colorless diamonds are normally more affordable than colorless diamonds. As they are typically difficult to distinguish without an expert eye, G, H, I, and J-color diamonds make for a stunning and often more affordable option in comparison with colorless diamonds. The difference between each near-colorless grade appears so slight that they all make for stunning, sparkling options.
Faint Color Diamond Grades
K, L, and M are considered faint color grades. They exhibit a warm tint visible to the naked eye that is increasingly sought after, especially for those whose hearts are set on yellow or rose gold designs with a vintage feel. Please note that Brilliant Earth does not carry K, L, or M-color diamonds.
K Color
K-color diamonds have a tint that can be visible to the naked eye in normal lighting conditions.
L Color
L-color diamonds, like K-color diamonds, have a faint tint that can be visible to the naked eye in normal lighting conditions.
M Color
M-color diamonds, like K and L-color diamonds, have a faint tint that can be visible to the naked eye in normal lighting conditions.
Faint Color Diamond Value
Compared to colorless and near-colorless diamonds, faint color diamonds can be much more affordable options. However, as the tint of these stones is visible to the naked eye, we do not recommend them to anyone looking for a bright white diamond. However, if a slight tint is beautiful to you, these stones make for a unique, more accessible choice.
Very Light and Light Color Grades
Diamonds graded between N-Z are considered very light or light color diamonds. They exhibit a yellow, brown, or grey tint that is very noticeable even to the untrained eye. Considered to be low color grade stones, these diamonds are generally the least desired and most affordable. Brilliant Earth does not carry N-Z color diamonds, though we offer an assortment of fancy-colored diamonds in various colors.
Diamond Color Chart
Diamond Color Grading Process
To grade a diamond's color on the GIA scale, experts compare it to stones of known color, called master stones, under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions on pure white paper. This comparative process allows for a precise and accurate description of the diamond's color on a scale between D and Z. Once the color grade is determined, it's added to the diamond's certified grading report alongside cut, clarity, carat, and other identifying details.
How Important Is a Diamond's Color?
Color can be a very important factor when picking your perfect diamond. Not only does the quality of color grading affect a diamond's price, but it can also significantly affect its appearance. Though icy, colorless diamonds are traditionally the most coveted, contemporary couples often opt for a diamond with a warmer tint, as it can display a unique and timeless look.
As always, finding the right diamond for you will involve discovering the right balance of the 4 C's and your budget. If color is the most important factor for you, you may need to sacrifice on carat weight, cut, or clarity. Or vice versa, if carat weight, cut, or clarity is the most important, opting for a near-colorless diamond can be a better option than a colorless one.
Should You Match Your Center Diamond Color with the Side Stones?
While your center diamond and side stone diamonds don't need to match exactly, it's important to remember that they can affect one another. For example, if your center stone is a warmer J-color and your side stones are an icy D-color, your center stone may appear to have more of an intense tint than it does in contrast with the more colorless side stones. The opposite is also true: if you have a colorless E-color center stone and G-color accent stones, your center stone may appear even more icy white.
Tips for Choosing Diamond Color
Shape
A diamond's shape can help to hide a low color grade or, unfortunately, better display it. Generally, round brilliant-cut diamonds hide color better than any other cut, as they have numerous small brilliant facets that diminish the underlying color. A diamond with step facets, such as an emerald-cut, will show more color.
Carat
The carat weight of a diamond can play a role in the intensity of its color presentation. A larger diamond tends to show its color more than a smaller one. For example, if you put a two-carat J-color diamond next to a half-carat J-color diamond, the larger diamond will appear to have more color based on its size.
Settings
The metal type of your setting can significantly impact the color presentation of your diamond. For example, D, E, and F (colorless) diamonds are best set in white gold or platinum as the silver tint of the setting helps the stone show off its icy white hue. Stones with a faint color look stunning in golden or rose settings, as they can help calm any brownish-yellow tint of the diamond.
Fancy Colored Diamonds
Fancy-colored diamonds feature colors that extend beyond the normal color range of D-Z. They are incredibly rare and come in every color of the rainbow, including blue, green, pink, yellow, orange, and red.
While diamonds within the normal range decrease in value as their color becomes more apparent, the opposite is true for fancy-colored diamonds: their value increases exponentially with the strength and purity of the color. Generally, the more vivid a fancy-colored diamond is, the more expensive it'll be.
Lab-grown fancy-colored diamonds are available and can be more affordable than their natural counterparts while featuring the same physical, chemical, and optical properties.
