What Is The Diamond Color Scale?

What Is Diamond Color?

Diamond color actually refers to the absence of color. It is one of the factors that determines a diamond’s beauty, quality, and value. Gemologists grade a diamond on the absence or presence of color, then record their grade in a diamond certificate.

Diamonds can come in a variety of colors, such as gray, white, yellow, green, and pink. But these colors are not what is listed on a diamond certificate — fancy colors, like pink, will have their own color grades.

A gemologist gives each diamond a letter grade that corresponds with the color scale — from D, a truly colorless diamond, to Z, which is brown. The closer to colorless a diamond is, the rarer and more valuable it becomes. Most diamonds have slight hints of yellow.

How much yellow is acceptable is usually a matter of personal taste. And depending on the setting and other factors, such as diamond shape, color may not be a consumer’s number-one priority. But moving up and down the color scale will always affect a diamond’s price.

What Is The Diamond Color Scale?

A diamond color scale measures color grade. Starting from D, meaning colorless, the scale goes the alphabet all the way to Z. D through J diamonds are considered colorless or near colorless, and will appear clear on the scale. But anything beyond J will have slight hints of pale color begin to appear. The diamond color scale starts with D because of the nearly universally accepted standards set by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Before the GIA set these standards, some gemologists would give diamonds the color grades A, B, and C or the numbers 1-10. When the GIA began to enforce stricter standards of diamond grading, they started their scale at D to eradicate any confusion.

Diamond Color Grading And The Diamond Color Chart

Most gemologists grade a diamond’s color by comparing it to other diamonds with an established color value. They inspect the stones under controlled lighting and viewing conditions. Because most diamond color variations are invisible to the naked eye, gemologists might also use specific tools, like a dichroscope, to complete their evaluation.

A diamond is inspected both face-up and table-down for traces of color. Even the faintest hint in one of these areas will affect its color grade.

Colorless Diamonds

Colorless diamonds have a color grade of D, E, or F — the highest color quality available. D-F diamonds do not have any color that's visible to the eye. They are ideal for any white gold and platinum engagement ring or jewelry design that won’t further imbue them with color.

D Color Grade Diamonds

D is the highest color grade. A D diamond has nearly no color and is colorless both when viewed with the naked eye and inspected under magnification.

E Color Grade Diamonds

E is the second highest color grade and is considered colorless. The difference between D and E might be a tiny trace of color that is only visible under magnification.

F Color Grade Diamonds

F color diamonds are at the bottom of the colorless range of diamonds, but still appear colorless to the naked eye. What differentiates them from D and E is that they have a slight tint only visible under magnification.

Near Colorless Diamonds

Near colorless diamonds are of the colors G, H, I, and J. Near colorless diamonds are diamonds that, when face up, still appear "colorless.” Most cannot tell the difference between the two categories without comparing them side by side against a white background.

G Color Grade Diamonds

G is the top color grade in the near-colorless range. Most consumers do not see their slight traces of color, but trained gemologists can see their tint. G diamonds are an excellent choice for those wanting a diamond that appears colorless, but at a slightly lower price.

H Color Grade Diamonds

H is a near-colorless diamond, with only a few differences that set it apart from a G. As most consumers cannot see the hints of color in an H color grade diamond, they are an excellent choice for those wanting to save money while still investing in what appears to be a colorless diamond.

I Color Grade Diamonds

I is nearing the bottom of the near-colorless range. Like G and H, I color diamonds will appear virtually colorless to most, but gemologists can see its traces of color during testing. I is ideal for those wanting a diamond close to colorless but at a much more accessible price point.

J Color Grade Diamonds

J is at the very bottom of the near-colorless range and is the last grade before color becomes visible to the naked eye. J color diamonds are likely the most affordable diamonds that still appear virtually colorless to most consumers.

Faintly Colored Diamonds

Faintly colored diamonds are diamonds whose trace amounts of yellow are visible to the naked eye. Most jewelry brands will only sell K color grade diamonds from the faintly colored range. They have a yellow tint that can be masked in a solid yellow gold setting.

K Color Grade Diamonds

K is the top of the faintly-colored scale and is known for having a hint of yellow that’s noticeable to the naked eye. A K color grade diamond should most likely be featured in yellow or even rose gold settings to mask its traces of yellow.

L Color Grade Diamonds

L color grade diamonds have a yellow tint that is visible to the naked eye. This color is usually visible from the side.

Many jewelers, including VRAI, do not sell L color grade diamonds.

M Color Grade Diamonds

M color grade diamonds are exactly in the middle of the color scale. They have a noticeable tint that is best seen from the side.

Many jewelers, including VRAI, do not sell M color grade diamonds.

Does Diamond Color Matter?

Diamond color is important when determining the quality of your diamond, and it will directly impact the price. Whether diamond color matters the most to you personally is based on preference.

Most diamonds used in engagement rings are near-colorless with hints of yellow. Decide on what color grade range works best for your budget, diamond shape, and engagement ring setting.

Diamond Color vs. Clarity

When it comes to the 4Cs, diamond color and clarity can often be confused for one another. This is because both color and clarity affect a diamond’s general appearance. But where color measures the lack of color, clarity measures the lack of inclusions and blemishes. You can use both the diamond color and clarity chart when selecting your diamond.

For those wanting to prioritize one over the other, it’s best to speak with a diamond expert who can give you personalized guidance when selecting your stone. But generally, each one gains importance depending on the diamond shapes or even engagement ring settings.

What Is The Best Diamond Color?

When deciding what is the best color for a diamond, consider personal preference, budget, and ring setting. Colorless diamonds are considered the best quality diamonds overall while D color grade diamonds are considered the rarest, or most valuable, diamond color grade.

However, even though D color grade diamonds are considered the best diamond color by industry standards, they may not be the best choice when it comes to your very own engagement ring.

If you prefer a yellow gold setting, for example, colorless diamonds would not be the best selection, as this setting would tint your diamond. Ultimately, the best diamond color is the one that suits your taste and style.

How Does Diamond Color Affect Price?

“The color of a diamond impacts price because higher colors tend to be rarer, while lower colors tend to be more abundant. The color of a diamond is impacted by what elements are present in the diamond or may be caused by the atomic structure,” says Chang.

“The higher the color grade is, the more colorless a diamond is (with D being completely colorless), while the lower the color grade is, the more color that is present in the diamond (with Z being lightly colored). Should a diamond's color be beyond the D-Z scale, it would be classified as a fancy colored diamond and would be graded differently,” Chang continues.

How Do You Choose The Best Diamond Color?

The best diamond color will depend on your budget and personal taste. While D color grade diamonds may be the highest quality diamond color, due to their rarity and high price tag, they may not be the best choice for you or the best color for certain ring settings.

To find the best diamond color for you, start by setting a budget. Note that you must purchase both the setting and the diamond for an engagement ring, so budget for both. The higher a diamond is on the color scale, particularly D-F color graded diamonds, the higher the price. So decide together if you have flexibility when it comes to color or the other Cs.

Next, select your diamond shape and setting. These choices will directly affect what color grade you should select. Diamond shapes with a larger table, like a Marquise, often show more color than a Round Brilliant, for example. White gold or platinum settings will further highlight hints of yellow and are best paired with colorless diamonds.

Diamond Color: Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the diamond color grading scale and finding the diamond color that’s right for you.

Does Diamond Color Affect Brilliance?

“The cut is actually what would determine a diamond's brilliance,” explains Queena Chang, VRAI Diamond Expert. “Just because a diamond may be a lower color grade, does not mean that it will necessarily be less brilliant. That is dependent on the cut grade of the diamond, which consists of the polish and symmetry grades, as well as the overall cut grade if the diamond is a Round Brilliant.”

Does Carat Weight Affect Diamond Color?

Carat size has a hand in how obvious a diamond’s color appears. The larger the diamond, the more evident color. If your diamond is less than 1 carat, you can get away with a lower color grade, but if you’re interested in a larger diamond, it’s recommended to invest in colorless or near colorless diamonds.

Does Shape Affect Diamond Color?

Certain diamond shapes will hide color better than others. The symmetry of Round Brilliant diamonds can allow you to save on color with a slightly lower grade. Emerald shapes tend to hide color as well and can tolerate a lower color grade. Shapes with larger face-up size, like the Oval, are inclined to show color more and are better suited for colorless or near colorless diamonds. The more unique shapes — Cushion, Pear, Marquise, Asscher, and Trillion — are also susceptible to showing more color.

Does Metal Affect Diamond Color?

The metal in which you set your diamond will have an effect on the perception of its color. Yellow gold can offset diamonds of a more yellow hue. Rose gold’s warmth, like yellow gold, can also balance out slight yellow tones. White gold or platinum can emphasize yellow coloring within a diamond — if choosing one of these two metals, consider prioritizing a higher color graded diamond for a more balanced design.

For those wanting to highlight their colorless diamond in a yellow or rose gold ring, a Two Tone engagement ring is ideal. The platinum prongs that hold the diamond in place won’t imbue the diamond with the same color from the ring’s band.

How Many Diamond Colors Are There?

For colorless diamonds, there are 23 diamond color grades, ranging from D to Z. For colored diamonds, there are 12 base colors. These fancy colors have their own diamond color scales.

What Colors Do Diamonds Come In Naturally?

When it comes to what colors are diamonds, you may be surprised at how many options you have to choose from. Natural diamond colors include red, yellow, orange, green, blue, pink, purple, brown, violet, gray, white, and black.

Most people are familiar with and choose white diamonds. The majority of VRAI created diamonds are white, but we also offer several pink diamonds.

What Diamond Color Is The Most Valuable?

The most valuable, and therefore most expensive diamond color is a D color grade diamond. Red diamonds are the rarest and most valuable fancy diamond color, however – there are only around 30 red diamonds available worldwide.

Can Lab-Grown Diamonds Be Graded On Color?

Lab-grown diamonds can and should be certified. It is inadvisable to purchase any diamond without diamond certification.

Lab-grown diamonds occur in different colors, just as their mined counterparts do. Color is determined when a diamond is formed, either in a laboratory setting or in the ground. Therefore, diamonds should go through a color grading process and be evaluated on the other 4Cs, no matter their origin.

Do Diamonds Reflect Rainbow Colors?

Diamonds reflect light in a unique way, which makes it easy to determine if your diamond is real or fake. to determine if your diamond is real or fake. A real diamond will reflect gray and white on the inside. On the outside, however, real diamonds will reflect a color rainbow on exterior surfaces.

If a diamond is synthetic, such as Cubic Zirconia and Moissanite, the light will reflect differently. For synthetic diamonds, you’ll also see a rainbow of colors reflected on the inside of the diamond.

What Color Should A Diamond Be Under UV Light?

“Diamond color will be different under a UV light. The color of a diamond is graded with the diamond face down on a white background, where a gemologist will then compare it to a master set of diamonds to determine the color. Diamonds can come in any color of the rainbow, but the most common colors tend to be yellow, brown, and gray,” Chang says.

“Under UV light, the fluorescence color of a diamond is most commonly blue, though please note that most diamonds do not have fluorescence. Lab-grown diamonds, however, may fluoresce unique colors, but all of the sustainably-created diamonds from VRAI tend to not have fluorescence or only provide a faint fluorescence,” Chang continues.

Diamonds are considered more valuable when they have no or faint fluorescence, however, fluorescence doesn’t typically affect your diamond's overall appearance.

Speak With Our Diamond Experts

VRAI offers colorless, near colorless, and faintly colored diamonds sustainably grown in our zero-emissions foundry.

The majority of VRAI created diamonds are primarily colorless or near colorless ranging from D-J on the color scale. For diamonds with eye-visible color grades, the extent of the visibility of the faint hue can be viewed through our 360 videos for each unique diamond, based on their shape and cut, or requested from our diamond specialists during appointments.

Book a complimentary appointment with our diamond experts to find the color grade that’s right for you. Through personalized guidance and in-depth diamond education, they will help you complete your engagement ring setting with the ideal VRAI created diamond.