When shopping for a diamond, one of the 4Cs (Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat) to consider is color. Diamond color refers to the presence or absence of color in white diamonds. The less color a diamond has, the more rare and valuable it is. So when it comes to diamond colors, D, E, and F color diamonds (colorless) are the most expensive.
Diamond Color Scale
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamond color on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Here is an overview of the GIA diamond color scale:
| Color Grade | Color Description |
| D, E, F | Colorless |
| G, H, I, J | Near colorless |
| K, L, M | Faint yellow |
| N to Z | Light yellow to light brown |
As you can see, diamonds graded D, E, and F are completely colorless to the naked eye. They contain little to no traces of color and are the most rare and prized diamond colors.
Why D, E, F Diamonds Are Most Expensive
There are several reasons why D, E and F color diamonds command the highest prices:
– Rarity – Diamonds rated D color are extremely rare – they make up less than 1% of all diamonds mined. E and F colors are also quite uncommon, making up just a few percent each. As some of the rarest natural diamonds, their scarcity drives up the value.
– Appearance – D, E and F diamonds are 100% colorless. Even when compared side by side with a G or H diamond, they will face up completely white with no hints of color. This exceptional beauty and brilliance commands a premium.
– Demand – Colorless diamonds are always in high demand and short supply. Many jewelry buyers specifically look for D to F color when choosing a high quality diamond. This leads to fierce competition and higher prices at the top color range.
– Resale Value – Investor diamonds and important jewelry tend to hold their value best when they possess elite color grades. Colorless D-F diamonds have extremely strong resale and trade-in value down the road.
Price Differences by Diamond Color
To give an idea of how much more expensive D-F color diamonds are, here are some average pricing examples. Assuming similar diamond cut, clarity and carat weight:
| Color | Price Per Carat |
| D | $12,000 |
| E | $9,500 |
| F | $8,200 |
| G | $5,500 |
| H | $4,400 |
| I | $3,700 |
As you can see, D color commands nearly a 100% price premium over G color, and 50-60% over F color. The difference is most pronounced when comparing D to G or lower colors. While every diamond is unique, this gives an idea of the premium for top color grades.
Does This Mean You Should Only Buy D-F Diamonds?
While D-F diamonds are the most prized and hold their value exceptionally well, that doesn’t mean you should limit yourself to only the top color grades. Here are some points to consider:
– Budget – D-F diamonds demand a significant price premium. For many buyers, choosing a G or H color can allow maximizing carat size while staying within budget.
– Visible Difference – Unless compared side by side, G and H colors often face up nearly as white as D-F diamonds. The difference is difficult to see with the naked eye in most settings. For many buyers, G or H provides excellent value.
– Cut Quality – A well cut I or J color diamond can give more sparkle and visual appeal than a poorly cut D-F diamond. Cut is also a defining factor of diamond beauty.
– Size Priorities – If choosing a larger diamond is a priority, lower color grades may be the best option within budget constraints. A 1 carat H color often costs less than a 0.75 carat D color.
The takeaway is that while D-F diamonds are the most prized, excellent value and beauty can be found with G-J color diamonds for many buyers. It comes down to personal priorities and budget considerations. An H or I diamond maximizes size and sparkle for the money. But for investment value or important jewelry, D-F is hard to beat.
How Jewelry Settings Impact Diamond Color
The diamond color you choose also depends on the type of setting it will be placed in. Certain settings can minimize or mask the appearance of faint yellow in a diamond. Here are some examples:
Yellow Gold Settings
Yellow gold settings pair very well with diamonds of I color and below. The warm tone of the gold is very forgiving and masks hints of lower diamond color. An I or J color diamond can appear very white in a yellow gold solitaire or halo setting. This allows excellent value for buyers open to yellow gold settings.
Rose or White Gold
Rose gold and white gold settings offer less color masking. These metals have less warmth than yellow gold and will showcase more visible color in K-M diamonds. They pair best with G-I color diamonds that face up nearly colorless.
Platinum Settings
Platinum is the whitest metal and will emphasize even faint yellow tints in a diamond. Diamonds below H color will likely show visible yellow in platinum settings. Platinum pairs optimally with D-F colorless diamonds.
Pave and Halo Settings
Even if a center diamond has some faint yellow, pave or halo settings surrounding it will camouflage color very well. The small accent diamonds reflect light in all directions to neutralize color. This allows center diamonds as low as J color to face up very white.
So jewelry setting is an important factor when deciding the ideal diamond color range. The right setting can minimize the appearance of lower diamond color.
Does Diamond Color Impact Sparkle?
Diamond color specifically refers to the presence or absence of yellow and brown hues. It does not directly impact sparkle or brilliance. However, the highest color grades often coincide with better cut qualities. Here is some insight on diamond color and sparkle:
– Cut Quality – Well cut diamonds exhibit maximum sparkle and life. Many buyers who can afford D-F color also demand higher cut grades, resulting in excellent light performance.
– Brown Tint – Diamonds graded in the N-Z range can develop noticeable brown alongside yellow. Brown tinting does reduce diamond brilliance somewhat. But faint to medium yellow tinting does not.
– Light Performance – While all diamond colors refract and reflect light similarly, 100% colorless diamonds (D-F) tend to show the most even, white brilliance in all lighting conditions.
So while color alone does not influence sparkle, it often aligns with other factors that do impact light performance and brilliance. An exceptional D color diamond will often outshine a poorly cut K color diamond, for example. When possible, prioritizing both color and cut maximizes the sparkle factor.
How Fluorescence Impacts Diamond Color
Around 30% of diamonds exhibit fluorescence, which is a blue glow when exposed to ultraviolet light. In some cases, strong or very strong fluorescence can make faint yellow diamonds appear whiter. Here is how it impacts color:
– Masking Effect – Strong blue fluorescence combined with faint yellow fluorescence can give a whiter appearance by canceling out yellow. This allows some lower color diamonds to face up like near colorless grades.
– Overgrading Risk – Diamonds graded in fluorescent lighting may be given a higher color grade than they would face up in normal lighting. This risk of overgrading is highest for very strong fluorescence with lower color diamonds.
– Preference – Some buyers prefer little or no fluorescence. Since it is perceptible under direct sunlight, high fluorescence is thought to give an unnatural glowing effect in some diamonds.
While fluorescence can help cancel yellow in some cases, the potential for overgrading poses risks. Buyers should be aware of the interaction between diamond fluorescence and color. When fluorescence may impact perception of color, diamond certificates will list the grading conditions.
Impacts on Value
For buyers who prioritize investment value in a diamond purchase, D-F color diamonds offer advantages:
– Better Retail Value – Jewelry stores use higher retail markups for D-F diamonds which drive up appraisal values.
– Stronger Resale Market – Colorless diamonds see strong demand in resale markets, ensuring competitive buyback offers.
– Reduced Restocking Risk – Retailers face lower inventory risk with rare D-F diamonds compared to oversupplied colors like J or below.
However, G-H diamonds are often the “sweet spot” offering much better value than D-F with minimal visible difference:
– Better Price per Carat – Buyers may purchase up to 30% larger diamonds for the same budget by selecting G-H over D-E.
– Lower Premium over Wholesale – Retailers apply lower markups and margins on G-H colors, offering better value to buyers.
– Near Colorless Appeal – G-H grades remain very white in most settings but with significantly lower prices.
While D-F offers prestige and maximum return value, excellent bang for the buck is found in G-H diamonds for buyers open to near colorless grades.
Conclusion
In the diamond industry, D, E and F color diamonds demand the steepest premiums and offer strong value retention due to their prestige and rarity. They face up 100% colorless even under close inspection. While lower in cost, G-I diamonds provide excellent savings and face up nearly as white in most settings. Diamond buyers should weigh the aesthetic, practical and economic considerations based on their individual priorities when choosing color. But in all cases, diamond cut and clarity must also be evaluated – a top rated G may outperform a poorly graded D. As one important factor among the 4Cs, finding the right color match for needs and budget is key.