What Is the Best Color Diamond to Buy?

When searching for diamond jewelry, it’s important to consider lots of variables. One key is the “4 Cs“: Cut, Carat, Clarity and Color. In this article I’ll be discussing the color of diamonds in more detail.

We want to chat about the significance of the 4 Cs, and delve into what this means for diamond color. The experts from our leading jewelry store will give you their answers to common questions related to diamond color.

What is the Diamond Color?

When earth mined diamonds are extracted, they aren’t always clear. They usually contain hints of different colors and can come off gray, yellow, pink, green or brown in appearance.

Diamonds come in all colors, but the most expensive ones are white. In order to understand how this affects price, it’s important to know why white diamonds are so expensive.

How is Diamond Color Measured?

Pretty much anyone with some knowledge of diamonds knows that the color ranges on a scale from D-Z. The Gemological Institute of America developed the system in the 1950s and most professionals use it for grading nowadays. A lot of large, well known gem labs blend together to use the same system of color and language over a diamond.

Color grading is an important part of the diamond industry. There are a variety of grades from D – being colorless to Z which ranges from yellow to brown. Gem colors can be grouped into 5 categories: colorless (D-F), near-colorless (G-J), faint yellow (K-M), very light yellow (N-R) and light yellow (S-Z).

A Guide to Choosing the Diamond Color

When it comes to diamond color, most people find it hard to differentiate between the different grades. The reality is, unless you want to bring in a jewelry expert and/or have the right equipment, it’s not always easy to tell the difference.

This is in part because a diamond’s color determines its value. Here’s a guide on what to look for when choosing your diamond’s color.

Choose According to the Band Color

If you want to wear your ring, pendant or earrings in White, Yellow or Rose gold then consider the color grade of your diamond. You might not need such a fine stone if it is to be set in one of those two types of metal.
A J-K diamond may be hard to spot when it’s set in a yellow or rose gold setting. The rule is, if the band is yellow or rose gold and the diamond isn’t, you’ll hardly notice the difference. So invest in an expensive ring for less!

Choosing a white gold or platinum band can have an effect on color. That’s why it’s advised to go with a colorless diamond in your ring.

Choose According to the Color of Your Accent Stones

To keep your diamond as white and colorless as possible, go for side stones that are the same or lower in color as the center stone. So for example, if your center diamond is H colour, we suggest you choose side diamonds that are H-I-or J colour.

Choosing side diamonds that are significantly higher in colour could make the center diamond appear more yellow.

Don’t worry too much about the Diamond Color Grading

An easy way to tell the difference between an F and an H diamond is by looking at them when they’re loose. If you notice any color difference then we recommend getting a G or H colored diamond instead. For clarity, it’s also best to get a G or better.

If you’re looking to just wear it for a while then you don’t need to worry about the diamond color grading too much. The color grade from G to H is not that easily distinguishable. It doesn’t cost as much as a clearer-colored graded diamond but it still looks beautiful.

Consider the Ring Setting Design

One thing to note is the type of setting you are getting. A ring with a halo would usually show off the diamonds more, since there’s more gold than can be seen in a headstone setting.

Just because a diamond is more budget-friendly doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice having an all-around beautiful ring.

When it comes to solitaires, they might not show the color of the diamond as well as a setting would, but they will still allow your diamond to shine through.

But if you’re looking for an engagement ring that has a halo design or is diamond-accented, then it’s better to choose a diamond with less color.

Should I Invest in a Colorless Diamond?

If you’re looking for the perfect diamond to buy as an investment, look for a completely colorless one. This is by far the most valuable type of diamond due to its transparency. The clarity scale comes in three grades: ‘D’, ‘E’, and ‘F’.

Even for a highly trained diamond grader, determining the most accurate cut grade is pretty tough. With that being said, if you have $3000 to spend on a diamond, invest in either one of these options and still be happy with your purchase.

What are the More Affordable Diamond Color Grades?

A nice diamond engagement ring set with a G, H, or I colored diamond for people on a budget is the way to go.

It’s hard to notice these diamonds’ color because, when mounted on the wedding band, they look virtually the same as a colorless diamond. They’re cheaper than other diamonds but still have great value.

What are Fancy Colored diamonds?

You might be surprised to know that most engagement rings come in pink and brown hues. The mounting can make it challenging to see the true color, so when you’re looking for a diamond – look for the right type of mount.

Perfectly Yellow or Brown diamonds are considered fancy colored and can often be quite expensive.
You can get a similar appearance, however, if you opt for a white diamond with a low color grade. These are less expensive than fancy-colored diamonds but their appearance is the same.

Can You Grade a Diamond Yourself?

Grading a diamond’s color by looking at it face up is pretty hard. It’s usually not possible and the lighter sparkles make it difficult to spot differences in color. That’s one of the reasons why choosing a lower color grade for rings is smart – you get more diamonds!

As such, the grading is best judged from the side of the diamond. And it is usually in relation to other diamonds. It’s difficult for our eyes to judge color without having a comparison diamond handy.

Below are the same diamonds as above shown from a side view. Notice how their colors (H or H+I on the left, F on the right) are very different from each other.

What is Diamond Fluorescence?

You probably don’t need to worry if you’re trying on a diamond and it starts to glow blue. A lot of gem-quality diamonds have an effect called fluorescence – that’s why they glow in the dark!

Historically, fluorescence has been seen as a negative characteristic for diamonds. Fluorescent diamonds can get prices that are 15% lower than non-fluorescent ones.

Some people say that fluorescence could actually make your diamond look better than it really is. This is something you may want to consider and be aware of when shopping.

Diamonds with traces of yellow color (J – M) can appear much higher in color if they display medium to strong blue fluorescence. The reason for this is that fluorescence can be stimulated by UV rays present in sunlight and many artificial light sources.

Blue and yellow appear together as complementary colors, which means they’re opposite on the color wheel. If a diamond fluoresces blue, it negates this effect and makes it to be whiter compared to if there was no blue fluorescence at all.

Fluorescence diamonds are sometimes seen as whiter and more cloudy than fluorescent diamonds. It may be an advantage to have slightly fluorescent stones. But too much will make the diamond look less brilliant, which is something you would want in a stone.

Final Thoughts

When you’re looking for an engagement ring, many people are going to ask you: “What is the diamond’s color?” Follow these tips when picking out a diamond color to help your find the perfect engagement ring.

Understanding more about diamond color will not only help you make better decisions when it comes to buying diamond jewelry, but can also help you save money or make better investment decisions with your purchases.

More From Shira Diamonds

Shira Diamonds is the only TRUE diamond wholesaler open to the public. We have all types of loose diamonds, diamond studs, fancy colored diamond, and custom diamond engagement rings for sale.

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