Is there a Significant Difference Between G and H Diamond Color?

The color grade should be taken into consideration when choosing a diamond, especially a white one.

At Shira Diamonds, we use only GIA-graded diamonds for all our diamond jewelry.

We only sell color grade J and above.

For most diamond shapes, G and H diamonds fall in the same near colorless category.
We will go further into the difference between G and H diamond colors to help you make a more informed purchase.

What is Diamond Color?

Difference between g and h color
Diamond color refers to the natural tint inherent in white diamonds.

The natural color of diamonds is white with a slight tint of yellow. The rarest of all diamonds are the colorless diamonds.

The industry standard for grading color in diamond color is to evaluate a piece of diamond against a master set and assign a letter grade that corresponds to its color.

The letter grades begin with “D”, which is colorless to “Z” which is light yellow.

Interesting facts about diamond colors:

Diamonds come in almost every color you can imagine.
Part of diamond valuation is determined by the absence of color.
Only certified grading professionals should determine a diamond’s color grade.
Color becomes much harder to detect once it is set in a ring and placed in an environment that contains color.
Color becomes more important as carat weight increases because the color is easier to perceive in a larger diamond.
The tone of a ring’s setting can affect the appearance of diamond color.
A diamond that is not colorless or near-colorless is considered a fancy color diamond.

What is the Color Scale for Diamonds?

The diamond color chart was created by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

It indicates how diamonds are graded based on their colors. The main ground for color comparison of diamonds is how much yellow the diamonds hold.

The standard for diamond color is the whiter it is, the better and the more expensive.

The color chart for diamonds includes the following criteria or standard:

D-F Color Diamonds: Colorless Diamonds, the rarest and highest quality with a pure icy look.
G-H Color Diamonds and I-J Color Diamonds: Near-colorless diamonds, no discernible color; great value for the quality.
K Color Diamonds: Budget-friendly pick; pairs beautifully with yellow gold.

The prices of diamonds decline or increase in alphabetical order.
Hence, the D color diamonds are the most expensive. G and H color diamonds are significantly less expensive than a D diamond.

Most, if not all diamond dealers do not sell L-Z Color Grade Diamonds.

What is the Best Color Letter for a Diamond?

A buying tip you should remember from diamond experts is that if you want the best value in what would appear to the naked eye as a colorless diamond, look for G-J diamonds.

Related: The Rarest Diamond Colors

Color is easier to detect in larger diamonds so it is best to opt for G-H in diamonds over 1 carat.

When G-H color diamonds are set in a ring, these diamonds will look just like higher color grade diamonds.

You can make the most of your diamond purchase if you invest in a higher cut instead of a higher color since the cut is the most important factor in a diamond’s brilliance.

The round, princess and other modified brilliant cuts tend to hide color better than other shapes because the diamond would have more facets.

Remember that a lower color diamond with a higher cut grade will have more sparkle and visual appeal than a higher color diamond with a lower cut grade.

G and H Diamond Color Differences

G Color Diamond

G color diamonds are the 4th color letter grade despite it being the 7th letter of the alphabet.

G color is the first grade in the ‘near colorless’ category, just one step away from being ‘colorless’. A G color diamond will face up white.

When viewed from the top, the diamond’s brilliance will mask body color.

Once the G color diamond is mounted into a white metal ring setting, differentiating it from ‘colorless’ graded diamonds will almost be impossible.

The slight variation in color between G and H which are individual grades next to each other is difficult to discern to the naked eye. It is nearly impossible to see the difference when looking at a lone diamond.

So, if you evaluate a G color diamond alone, it will glisten with icy white fire. The slight warmth of the G diamond is impossible to see because of the masking abilities of the diamond’s scintillation and sparkle.

H Color Diamonds

If you want great value for your money, the H color diamond in the ‘near colorless’ category is your best choice.

It will cost 40% less than a D-color diamond! They appear almost totally colorless when they are viewed with the naked eye.

Under magnification by an expert gemologist, it will show a slight yellow tint.

Like the G color diamond, it can be a tremendous value for your money if you get it in the right cut. It offers an almost identical look to a colorless stone at a significantly lower price.

Differences Between G and H Color Diamond

In the “near-colorless” range, both G and H are the highest color grades.

Selecting a diamond examined the difference between G and H diamond color, and these are the significant differences between the two color grades that would impact your buying decision:

G color diamonds are very slightly more colorless than H color diamonds
G color diamonds are on an average $400 to $650 more expensive than H color diamonds

Which to Pick? G or H Color Diamond?

Diamond experts recommend that you should not go beyond the H color if you purchase a diamond.

The difference between G and H color diamonds is not worth the extra price because the color difference is almost impossible to detect with the naked eye.

If you can spend extra on an excellent cut and clean clarity, G and H color diamonds are cost-effective choices that do not sacrifice quality and brilliance. Contact Shira Diamonds today!

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