What You Need to Know About Diamond Colors

The color of a diamond determines its brightness and fire. The rarer the color, the more expensive the diamond. All diamond colors have their own price tags.

The most affordable diamond colors are brown, gray, or black because they are the least rare of all diamond colors.

The red diamond, which is considered the rarest of all diamond colors, is the most valuable.

It is said that there are only 20 to 30 pieces of red diamonds existing in the whole world. What are the other diamond colors and how does diamond color impact the value of a diamond?

What is the Diamond Color?

In the diamond industry, diamond color is determined by how clear or yellow a piece of diamond is. The colorless diamonds are considered the diamonds with the highest quality. Diamonds that have a slight yellow tint are considered low quality.

This color definition is according to the color scale used and provided by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

The color scale measures the color of a diamond from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown color). There are several diamond color grades between D and Z diamond colors that determine how a diamond appears to be colorless or the level of its yellow tint.

What Are the Different Diamond Colors?

Diamond color is one of the 4C’s of diamonds, which is the basis of how a diamond is priced and valued. It is a feature determined by the diamond color grading system created by GIA.

The different diamond colors according to the diamond color chart are:

• D,E,F: Colorless
• G, H: Near Colorless
• I, J: Near Colorless, Slightly Tinted
• K-M: Faint Yellow
• N-R: Very Light Yellow
• S-Z: Light Yellow
• FANCY: Yellow

Colorless Diamonds

Diamonds that belong to the D-F range in the GIA diamond color scale are considered colorless diamonds.

These diamonds do not have a visible color hue when being compared to a master diamond with a perfect color grade.

The highest color grade of a diamond is the ‘D’ color. Diamonds that are graded ‘D’ in color have totally no hue in the stone. The more a ‘D’-colored diamond is colorless, the greater its value of buying price.

E and F colored diamonds are also considered colorless diamonds. This means that the hue, if any, that differentiates them from the ‘D’ diamond is not visible to the naked eye. However, they are significantly cheaper than the ‘D’ diamond.

Near-Colorless Diamonds

Diamonds graded from ‘G’ to ‘J’ in the GIA color scale are near colorless diamonds. Similar to the ‘E’ and ‘F’ diamond colors, there is no visual difference between diamonds within this color range, especially between ‘G’ and ‘H’ graded diamonds.

You will not see a difference in hue just by looking at the diamonds. However, between a ‘G’ and ‘J’ diamond, where the difference in grade is bigger, there is a noticeable visual distinction.

But experts say that if you choose a good setting, a ‘J’ colored diamond can appear very white when it is positioned face up.

Choosing Between Types of Diamond Colors

The colorless and near-colorless diamonds are the diamonds that are most often purchased from diamond dealers.

When you purchase a diamond, here are tips in choosing between the types of diamond colors according to the GIA color scale:

1. The color of the diamond will typically depend on your preference. You will have to balance your choice considering all the 4 C’s of a diamond (carat, color, cut, and clarity) and your budget.

2. When choosing between colorless and near-colorless diamonds, consider these factors:

• Diamonds are graded face down so that experts will determine specifically the visual color of a diamond. This means that when a diamond is faced up, the differences in hues are visually undetected. The color difference cannot be noticed by the naked eye.
• Diamonds are rarely compared side by side with diamonds that belong to other color grades. When you have a ‘G’ color diamond, you will appreciate its beauty because it will not be placed beside a diamond with a higher grade anyway. Your ‘G’ diamond will be outstanding in its own setting and style.
• The color of a diamond is reflected or revealed in different degrees depending on its cut or shape. There are diamond cuts that hide diamond color perfectly well.

Usually, the color difference will not be noticeable in diamonds with these cuts:

• Emerald
• Asscher
• Cushion

But diamond color is revealed in diamond shapes like oval, pear, and radiant cut because they have a larger surface area that radiates their color.

So, if you choose these diamond cuts, choose a diamond color grade of ‘I’ or higher.

Diamond Colors and Clarity

Diamond color quality is based on the absence of color. Diamond clarity refers to the absence of inclusions and blemishes, according to GIA. If you want to get the best quality for a diamond, there should be a perfect balance between color, clarity, and the two other C’s (cut and carat weight).

Follow these recommendations in pairing diamond color and clarity:

• D, E, F color grades with F (flawless), IF, VVS1, or VVS2 clarity-graded diamonds (for one-carat size or more diamonds)
• G, H, I color grades with VVS2, VS1, or VS2 clarity-graded diamonds
• J, K, L color grades with SI1 or lower clarity-graded diamonds

Compare the prices when you adjust the 4 C’s according to the style you prefer. You can choose a lower color grade with excellent clarity and notice how this impacts the price of a diamond that you choose.

Remember that the best color and clarity of a diamond is the one that best fits your personal taste and your budget.

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Visit our wholesale diamonds store in Dallas or contact us today for more information!