Diamonds come in a variety of colors, ranging from colorless to light yellow, brown, pink, blue, green, or other hues. The most popular and valuable diamonds are those that are completely colorless. However, colored diamonds can also be quite beautiful and valuable, depending on the intensity and purity of their color. The color of a diamond is graded on an alphabetical scale established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). This color scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown).
D-F Color Grades: Colorless
Diamonds graded D, E, and F are considered colorless to the naked eye. These diamonds allow maximum light to pass through them, giving off the most sparkle and fire. The differences between D, E, and F diamonds are so subtle that even a trained gemologist would have trouble detecting them without a comparison side by side.
| Color Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| D | Absolutely colorless |
| E | Colorless |
| F | Colorless |
Top color or D color diamonds are the rarest, making up only about 1-2% of all diamonds mined. Because of their exceptional beauty, colorlessness, and scarcity, D color diamonds command the highest prices per carat. The price difference between D and E grades is minimal, while F color can be 15-25% less expensive than a comparable D diamond.
G-J Color Grades: Near Colorless
Diamonds in the G-J color range are considered near colorless. To the untrained eye, G-H diamonds will face up white and show no visible color. With diamonds graded I-J, a faint tinge of color may be detectable when unmounted, but usually face up colorless once set in white gold or platinum.
| Color Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| G | Near colorless |
| H | Near colorless |
| I | Near colorless |
| J | Near colorless |
Near colorless diamonds offer excellent value compared to higher color grades. The difference in price between G-H and I-J can be 20% or more. When selecting a near colorless diamond, look for those with better clarity and cut quality to maximize their brilliance.
K-M Color Grades: Faint Yellow
Diamonds graded K through M will show a faint yellow tint. While not colorless, many K-L diamonds can pass as near colorless when mounted. M diamonds will usually appear slightly tinted yellow, especially in platinum or white gold settings.
| Color Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| K | Faint yellow |
| L | Faint yellow |
| M | Faint yellow |
Yellow tinted diamonds tend to be more affordable than colorless stones. However, they also appear smaller visually. Focus on cut quality with faint yellow diamonds to maximize their brilliance. Compared to near colorless grades, K-L diamonds can be 25-30% less, while M is around 40% less.
N-R Color Grades: Very Light Yellow
Moving down the color scale, diamonds graded N through R will show increasingly noticeable amounts of yellow or brownish hue. While R grade diamonds still face up fairly white, they will look tinted compared to higher color grades.
| Color Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| N | Very light yellow |
| O | Very light yellow |
| P | Very light yellow |
| Q | Very light yellow |
| R | Very light yellow |
Diamonds graded N through R can offer huge savings over colorless diamonds. However, lower color grades also tend to appear smaller face up. Carefully review cut quality if choosing one of these color grades. Compared to K diamonds, N-R color diamonds can be priced 40-60% less.
S-Z Color Grades: Light Yellow/Brown
At the lower end of the diamond color scale are grades S through Z. These diamonds show increasingly light shades of yellow to brownish color. While fairly affordable, the yellowish tint in these diamonds is readily visible to the eye.
| Color Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| S | Light yellow |
| T-Z | Light yellow/brown |
Diamonds graded T-Z can trade at heavy discounts compared to colorless stones. However, they tend to appear quite small face up due to their color. Focus on choosing the best cut possible to maximize the diamond’s brilliance. These grades are best suited for smaller diamonds under 0.50 carats. Compared to R color, S-Z diamonds can be priced 50-70% less.
Fancy Yellow Diamonds
Beyond Z on the GIA color scale are fancy color yellow diamonds. These range from intense yellow, to fancy light yellow, fancy yellow, and fancy intense yellow. The more saturated the color, the higher the value in fancy yellow diamonds. They are graded based on the purity and intensity of their color.
Fancy yellow diamonds offer a bold, beautiful alternative to colorless diamonds at a more affordable price point for large carat sizes. Cut quality is especially important to allow light to reflect off the facets and show the vibrant color. Yellow is one of the more common fancy colors, but intensly saturated yellow diamonds are still quite rare.
How Color Affects Diamond Value
Diamond color has a direct impact on value and price per carat. All else being equal, a higher color grade diamond will trade at a premium over a lower color grade. The differences in price between adjacent color grades tend to be most significant within the colorless to near colorless range.
As a general guideline, with each step down the color scale, diamonds decrease in value by about 5-20% per grade. However, determining the exact price differences between color grades depends on the specific diamond’s other attributes like carat, clarity, and cut proportions. Working with an experienced jeweler or gemologist is the best way to understand how color affects any particular diamond’s price.
While D-F color diamonds carry the highest values, they only make up about 10-15% of gem quality diamonds on the market. Near colorless grades G-J represent the best balance of beauty, rarity, and affordability for most diamond buyers. These grades face up white, show excellent brilliance, and offer savings over top color diamonds.
Selecting a Diamond Color Grade
When selecting a diamond color grade, consider these tips:
- Focus on colorless to near colorless diamonds if selecting a solitaire or simple setting – Grades D-I will face up white and maximize brilliance.
- Faint yellow diamonds provide an excellent value in larger carat sizes – Grades K-M can be 30-50% less expensive than colorless for 1 carat or more.
- Prioritize cut quality for very light yellow to light yellow diamonds – Grades N-Z tend to appear smaller, so ideal cut proportions help maximize their face up size.
- Yellow and brown diamonds complement warm settings like yellow or rose gold – Their tinted color is less obvious when paired with similar metal hues.
- Consider a fancy yellow diamond for a unique, bold statement look – Pricing is comparable to K color and above for 1 carat and larger sizes.
Working within your budget, choose the highest color grade that fits your preferences and style. Be sure to weigh color against the other Cs of clarity and cut when selecting your ideal diamond. An eye-clean SI1 with ideal cut can offer better sparkle than a higher color diamond with visible inclusions or poor proportions.
How Setting Affects Diamond Color Appearance
The setting you choose can influence how white or tinted a diamond appears. Certain setting styles and metals can enhance or mask subtle yellow tints. Keep these considerations in mind when choosing a setting for different color diamonds:
- Prong settings allow more light into the diamond, showcasing color more – Best for D-J colorless to near colorless diamonds.
- Bezel settings can minimize the appearance of color – A good option for K-M faint yellow diamonds.
- Yellow gold settings complement yellow tinted diamonds – Makes N-Z colors harder to detect.
- Rose or white metals pair best with colorless to near colorless diamonds – Provides contrast that maximizes white appearance.
- Halos and pavé accents draw the eye away from slight body color in center diamond.
How your diamond is mounted can influence its beauty and overall color perception. The right setting design can enhance or downplay certain color grades. Your jeweler can advise you on the most flattering options.
Caring for Yellow Diamonds
Diamonds with yellow or brown hues require special care. Over time, exposure to harsh chemicals, heat, and ultraviolet light can cause yellow diamonds to further darken. To prevent discoloration and fading, avoid excessive heat and cleaning chemicals. Use a designated jewelry cleaner or mild soap with warm water and a soft brush. For extra protection, have your jeweler apply an advanced ultrasonic coating to seal the surface of your colored diamond jewelry. With proper care, your yellow diamond can maintain its natural color for generations.
Conclusion
From the rare beauty of D color stones to the bold hues of fancy yellows, diamonds come in an array of colors. While colorless grades demand the highest prices, yellow tinted diamonds trade at significant discounts while still offering plenty of sparkle and style. Focus on maximizing cut quality and choosing a flattering setting for lower color grades. With the right balance of color, clarity, cut, and carat weight, you can find beautiful diamond jewelry to fit your preference and budget needs. Trust an expert jeweler to walk you through all the nuances of diamond color grading so you can select your ideal shade.
