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Diamond Color Grades
One of the 4Cs of diamonds, color is an important factor to consider when buying a diamond ring. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about diamond color grades.
WHAT IS DIAMOND COLOR?
Diamond color can refer to two different measures depending on whether you’re looking at white diamonds or fancy color diamonds. White diamonds are graded based on the stone’s lack of yellow pigment. Alternatively, fancy color diamonds are diamonds with pigments that fall outside of the white-diamond color grading scale. These rare stones, including yellow, pink, blue, and green diamonds, have their own unique color grades. For engagement rings, white diamonds are most often featured.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) uses a diamond color grade scale to group white diamonds based on the amount of yellow tint they contain. The GIA color grading scale ranges from diamonds with noticeable color (starting with a letter grade of Z) to near-colorless and colorless stones with letter grades up to a D.
Colorless diamonds are incredibly rare and much more expensive than other grades, but near-colorless diamonds are oftentimes suitable alternatives for engagement rings (and cost far less).
Color Grades
D-F
D color diamonds are absolutely colorless (even under magnification) and therefore represent the highest color grade a diamond can receive. These diamonds are extremely rare and are the most expensive color option on the market. They’re typically set in either platinum or white gold to best showcase their icy look.
With the naked eye, E color diamonds are nearly identical to D color diamonds. Only trained gemologists can identify the subtle color differences between the two when compared side by side under magnification. Likewise, F color diamonds contain almost no visible color and are similar to D and E color diamonds under magnification. Just like D color diamonds, stones with E and F color grades are best set in platinum or white gold.
M-J
M–J diamonds exhibit a faint yellow tint that’s visible to the naked eye. These budget-friendly diamonds tend to look better with a yellow gold setting, which helps to offset their yellow cast, and a round brilliant cut, which is more efficient at hiding yellow tones. J color diamonds are great options for round brilliant cut solitaire rings, which are best at hiding color. That being said, they’re not recommended for fancy diamond shapes with larger tables and fewer facets.
G-I
Diamonds with G–I color grades are considered “Near-Colorless” by the GIA with no discernible color. G color diamonds are the highest grade in this range and appear clear to the untrained eye. H color diamonds appear colorless to the naked eye, as well. Both have a very faint yellow hue when viewed under magnification with bright lighting. I diamonds contain no discernible yellow tint aside from faint color that’s only visible next to diamonds of higher color grades. I color diamonds work well with round brilliant cuts and are the minimum recommended color grade for princess-cut stones. They also pair well with yellow gold ring settings.
G–I color grades are considered particularly good values for budget-conscious shoppers, as they appear colorless to the naked eye but are more affordable than D–F alternatives. This range is ideal for diamonds weighing over one carat and look best when set in platinum or white gold. It’s also the lowest color range recommended for larger diamond shapes as well as cushion and radiant cuts, which are more unforgiving when it comes to color.
Z-N
Diamonds in the Z to N color range have very visible yellow or brown tinting and are not recommended for engagement rings.
Which Diamond Color Is Best?
While white diamonds with a D color grade are the most rare, there are several other factors to consider when choosing a diamond color. Near-colorless diamonds can look almost identical to colorless diamonds depending on the size and shape of the diamond as well as your setting preferences. In other words, choosing a lower color grade can allow you to consider better cuts or bigger carat weights with no negative impact on the diamond’s overall beauty. Ultimately, the color grade you choose should reflect your tastes while adhering to your budget.
COLOR BASED ON SHAPE AND SETTING
Two of the most important considerations for choosing diamond color are shape and setting. Diamond color is more visible in larger stones. If you’re shopping for a diamond ring that’s less than one carat, you can typically get by with an I, J, or K diamond color. Anything over one carat, however, will likely require a higher color grade of H or better. Diamonds with more facets reflect light more efficiently and can help hide color, as well. Round- and princess-cut stones, for example, disguise color better than step cuts such as emerald and Asscher diamonds.
Some color grades also pair better with certain metallic tones. For instance, diamonds with faint color look best next to yellow gold’s inherent warmth, while diamonds with less color look especially brilliant set in platinum or white gold. Darker metallic tones like yellow or rose gold can offer just the right amount of contrast to offset yellow tones and give a lower-grade diamond more clarity. On the other hand, if you know you want a platinum or white gold ring, you’ll most likely need a higher-grade diamond to match.
WHITE DIAMONDS VS. FANCY COLORED DIAMONDS
Fancy colored diamonds (or diamonds that are naturally colored) account for approximately 1 in every 10,000 diamonds, and their rarity makes them far more valuable and expensive. In fact, these colorful stones have their own color scale and can even have a higher value than colorless white diamonds. Instead of letter grades, fancy colored diamonds are given color grades ranging from “Faint” to “Fancy Deep” based on the intensity of their body color:
- Faint
- Very Light
- Light
- Fancy Light
- Fancy
- Fancy Intense
- Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep, or Fancy Dark
Low-grade fancy diamonds can look similar to low-grade white diamonds. For instance, a “Faint” fancy-colored diamond is just slightly more yellow than a Z grade white diamond. The color’s overall depth increases as the grades go up, with “Fancy Intense” and “Fancy Vivid” diamonds having the richest hues.
While grouped together, “Fancy Vivid,” “Fancy Deep,” and “Fancy Dark” diamonds differ slightly based on their overall color brightness. “Fancy Vivid” and “Fancy Intense” diamonds are generally the most sought-after color grades.