Diamonds come in a variety of colors, from colorless to light yellow, brown, or gray. The color grading scale established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the industry standard for evaluating diamond color. On this scale, diamonds are graded from D to Z, with D representing colorless and increasing presence of color as you go down the alphabet. When it comes to choosing a diamond, especially for important pieces like an engagement ring, many experts recommend prioritizing color over other characteristics like clarity or cut. This is because color has the biggest impact on a diamond’s appearance and value. But what exactly is the best color grade to look for when shopping for a diamond? Let’s take a closer look at the GIA color scale and what the different grades mean.
The GIA Color Grading Scale
The GIA color scale categorizes diamonds according to how much hue or tint is detectable when examined under controlled lighting and magnification by experienced graders. Here is a brief overview of the main color grades:
| Color Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| D, E, F | Colorless |
| G, H, I, J | Near colorless |
| K, L, M | Faint yellow |
| N to Z | Light to very light yellow or brown |
As you can see, the scale ranges from exceptional white color (D) to light yellow and brown diamonds near the end of the alphabet. Diamonds graded D-F are considered colorless to the naked eye, with increasing warmth detectable for G-J stones when compared side-by-side to better colors.
Colorless: The Best Diamonds
Diamonds graded D-F are the highest quality and rarest colors, appearing completely colorless face-up. They transmit pure white light the best, without any distracting secondary hues. Less than 2% of diamonds mined have a color grade of D and their value reflects their scarcity. While all D-F color diamonds face up white, you may be able to detect very slight differences when comparing them side-by-side, with D showing no discernible color and F having just a tiny degree of warmth. The difference is minute to the untrained eye.
For diamonds that appear 100% colorless, most jewelers recommend choosing a stone graded D-E for maximum brilliance and value.
Near Colorless: Excellent Value for Engagement Rings
Diamonds in the near colorless range of G-J represent excellent value for money. To the naked eye, G-H colored diamonds also appear colorless, unless you can closely inspect them next to diamonds of higher grades. I-J colors may show the faintest yellow but face up white when set in jewelry. Near colorless diamonds are much more common and affordable than their colorless counterparts, representing around 15% of gem-quality diamonds sourced. This makes them ideal for important jewelry like engagement rings and anniversary bands where you want excellent optics without breaking the budget.
While all near colorless grades offer great bang for buck, many jewelers recommend choosing stones graded G-H if your budget allows. These face up white and still have outstanding brilliance. I-J stones can offer very good value, but some people prefer the peace of mind that G-H diamonds will show no discernible color in any setting.
Faint and Light Yellow: Affordable Diamonds
Once you get to K color and below, diamonds begin displaying noticeable yellow tones that are visible face-up, especially against white metals like platinum or white gold. Diamonds graded K-M have faint yellow color that is obvious when compared to better colors. The more affordable N-Z grades show light to very light yellow or brownish hues.
While only making up around 5% of diamonds mined, these lower color grades can offer big savings. Some people don’t mind the warmer hues if they are getting a larger stone for their budget. The yellow tint is also less obvious in yellow gold settings. However, most industry experts recommend selecting a near colorless grade if possible, since these face-up white looking and allow the maximum light return through the stone.
Does Cut Impact Color?
The cut of a diamond can influence how apparent or masked the color is. Well-cut diamonds tend to face up whiter and better hide imperfections. Poorly cut diamonds with heavy leakage of light through the sides or dark areas under the crown can make stones appear more yellow or darker than their actual color grade.
With near colorless diamonds, choosing a very good or excellent cut can help boost the face-up color a notch compared to a fair or poor cut of the same grade. While a high quality cut can’t change a diamond’s actual color, it can make sure you get the best show of white light possible from that stone.
Matching Multiple Diamonds
When selecting diamonds for a bridal set or jewelry with multiple stones, it’s important to match the color grades closely so they appear uniform when worn. There should be no visible difference between stones when viewed face-up. Some slight variation in color is possible when inspecting the diamonds very closely side-by-side. As a rule of thumb:
- Colorless D-F diamonds should match within 1 grade (e.g. D with E)
- Near colorless G-J can match within 2 grades (e.g. G with I)
- Faint yellow K-M within 2 grades (e.g. K with M)
- Light yellow N-R within 3 grades (e.g. N with R)
Matching lighter color grades more closely gives the best uniformity. It’s more difficult to match very light yellow diamonds since small differences in tone are more obvious to the eye.
Does Fluorescence Impact Color?
Some diamonds exhibit fluorescence, which is a glowing effect when exposed to ultraviolet light like sunlight. Blue fluorescence is the most common. In very rare cases, strong or medium blue fluorescence can make near colorless diamonds face up with a slightly better apparent color. But in general, fluorescence is not considered to significantly alter the face-up color appearance.
Many jewelers prefer diamonds with no or faint fluorescence rather than rely on this phenomenon to make a poorer color look better. Any fluorescence is generally considered a neutral factor in diamonds graded D-J. Strong blue fluorescence could potentially dull the appearance in light yellow diamonds. Each diamond needs to be judged on its own merits when it comes to fluorescence.
How Does Color Affect Price?
There is a direct correlation between a diamond’s GIA color grade and rarity, which translates to a significant impact on price per carat. All other factors being equal, this is how color affects the value of 1 carat round diamonds:
| Color Grade | Price Per Carat |
|---|---|
| D | $12,000 |
| E | $10,000 |
| F | $8,000 |
| G | $5,000 |
| H | $4,000 |
| I | $3,000 |
| J | $2,000 |
| K | $1,500 |
| L | $1,000 |
| M | $800 |
As you can see, colorless D-F grades are significantly more expensive than near colorless or faint/light yellow diamonds. Even small improvements in color grade can mean big jumps in price. This gives you flexibility to find a diamond color within your budget. Just keep in mind that the difference between a G and H is minor, but the discount of H can be 15-20% lower than a G.
Picking the Best Color for Your Budget
Here are some recommended guidelines for choosing a diamond color grade based on your budget:
- Under $1,000: Consider J-K color as these are the most affordable diamonds that still face up white.
- $1,000-$5,000: Stick with G-I color grades for excellent value and near colorless appearance.
- $5,000-$10,000: You can move up to D-F colorless grades while still getting good diamond size.
- Over $10,000: Splurge for the top D-E color diamonds for unmatched quality and sparkle.
The GIA color scale gives you a great selection to work within your budget parameters. While naturally D-F commands the highest prices, G-I offers comparable beauty for much less. Don’t sacrifice cut or clarity to go higher in color than needed. With careful selection, you can secure an exquisite, white-looking diamond that expresses your love brilliantly.
Conclusion
Diamond color is a matter of personal preference – some prioritize only the highest D-E grades, while others find excellent value in G-H near colorless stones. Ultimately, the “best” color grade comes down to your budget, eye, and the effect you want. Sparkling colorless diamonds offer prestige and maximum light performance, while near colorless balance beauty with affordability. Compare diamonds across a range of color grades and determine where your eye finds that perfect combination of quality and price. There are gorgeous diamonds at every level if you take the time to search. Let your budget, taste, and professional guidance lead you to the ideal diamond color to celebrate your love.
