When shopping for a diamond engagement ring, understanding diamond color is extremely important. Many people choose diamonds in the colorless to near colorless range – D, E, and F colors on the GIA diamond grading scale. These diamonds allow maximum light to pass through them, creating the most sparkle and brilliance. But what about diamonds further down the color scale, like an I color diamond? Will an I color diamond still have the fire and sparkle you want in an engagement ring? Let’s take a look at how diamond color affects sparkle and whether an I color can make a stunning engagement ring.
What is diamond color?
Diamond color refers to the presence or absence of color in a white diamond. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamond color on a scale from D to Z, with D being the highest colorless grade. As you move down the alphabet towards Z, the diamonds begin to take on a yellow or brownish tint. The difference between grades is subtle and it takes a trained eye to detect the changes.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the GIA diamond color scale:
- D, E, F – Colorless
- G, H, I, J – Near colorless
- K, L, M – Faint yellow
- N to Z – Very light to light yellow/brown
An I color diamond is at the high end of the near colorless range. To the untrained eye, an I color will look just as colorless as a D, E or F. But side by side, a jeweler may detect a very faint yellowish tint in an I color stone.
How does diamond color affect sparkle?
Diamond sparkle and brilliance come from the interplay of light inside the stone. When white light enters the top of a diamond, it refracts and reflects off the different facets and comes back out the top as colorful flashes of light. This bursting mix of rainbow colors is what gives diamonds their incredible sparkle.
For light to refract and reflect most beautifully, it needs to pass through the diamond cleanly and not be absorbed by color. The more colorless a diamond is, the less light absorption it will have. So D-F color diamonds, with their lack of color, allow the maximum amount of light to reflect inside and produce the most sparkle.
As you move down the color scale towards Z, the yellow and brown tints in the diamonds will begin absorbing more blue light waves. This reduces the rainbow sparkle somewhat. But diamonds don’t need to be completely colorless to have impressive brilliance. As long as they are in the colorless to near colorless range, they will still reflect light beautifully and sparkle brightly.
Will an I color diamond sparkle?
The short answer is yes, an I color diamond can have exceptional sparkle. While a D or E may have a slight edge in terms of light performance, the difference is extremely subtle. To the naked eye, a well-cut I color diamond will look just as brilliant and fiery as a D color.
In certain lighting conditions or side by side comparisons, you may notice a very faint yellowish glow in an I color diamond. But when looking at the diamond on its own, the tint is nearly impossible to see. An I color diamond will face up white and dazzle with sparkle, especially if the cut and clarity are high quality.
Here are some of the key reasons an I color can make a gorgeous, sparkling engagement ring:
- Near colorless – I color is at the top end of the near colorless GIA grading scale, so it will show minimal color.
- Face-up white – When set in a ring, an I color diamond will look colorless and icy white to the naked eye.
- Reflects nearly all light – An I color grade means the diamond still reflects over 97% of light, producing outstanding brilliance.
- Maximized by good cut – A very good to excellent cut will enhance light performance in any I color stone.
- Less expensive – You can get a bigger, better I color diamond for less money compared to a smaller D-F.
While every diamond is unique, here are some real pictures of I color diamonds that demonstrate their bright white appearance and exceptional sparkle:
| I color round diamond | I color oval diamond |
|---|---|
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As you can see, both these I color diamonds are icy white with exceptional sparkle and fire. When choosing an I color stone, having reports from GIA or another reputable lab can give you added assurance of the diamond’s quality.
Ideal I color diamond proportions
The cut quality of an I color diamond has a significant impact on its brilliance. When an I color diamond is cut well, with ideal proportions, light will reflect more beautifully off the facets to maximize sparkle. These are some important measurements to look for when choosing an I color diamond:
- Table Size: 53%-63%
- Depth: 58%-62.5%
- Crown Angle: 34°
- Pavilion Angle: 40.6°- 41°
- Girdle: Slightly thick to thick
- Culet: None to small
Diamonds with measurements in these ideal ranges tend to have the best cut quality. They also have the coveted GIA Excellent and AGS Ideal/0 cut grades. Asking for an I color diamond with a triple excellent or ideal cut can help ensure maximum sparkle.
I color looks best in certain settings
The setting you choose for an I color center diamond can also impact its appearance. Certain settings and metal colors provide more contrast that makes an I color pop whiter. Here are some of the best settings for an I color diamond:
- White gold or platinum: White metals provide the greatest contrast against an I color stone, making it look whiter.
- Solitaire: A basic solitaire setting allows maximum light into the diamond for full sparkle potential.
- Prongs: Prongs that cradle the diamond minimize metal obstruction while providing security.
- Halo: A halo of small white diamonds boosts the central stone’s brilliance.
Rose gold can also work well with an I color, but may make it appear slightly more yellow. Overall, white gold and platinum solitaires or halo settings optimize an I color diamond’s icy brilliance.
Does an I color diamond look yellow in sunlight?
Direct sunlight can sometimes make an I color diamond temporarily appear more yellow or warm-hued. The UV rays in sunlight can accentuate any faint yellow in the diamond. But in most cases, the visible color difference is very subtle. Once the diamond is moved back into indoor lighting, any yellowness disappears.
This temporary yellow effect in the sun is most noticeable in large 2 carat+ I color diamonds. With smaller diamonds under 2 carats, it’s often imperceptible. The yellow tint also tends to show up more against white gold or platinum compared to rose gold settings. But keep in mind, this temporary warmth is visible only under certain conditions and an I color will face up icy white the majority of the time.
How does fluorescence impact an I color diamond?
Many I color diamonds have some level of fluorescence, which is the glowing reaction to UV light/blacklight. In most cases, fluorescence is faint to medium and has little effect on appearance. But in rare cases, an I color diamond graded as having very strong/very high fluorescence can look hazy or oily.
Here’s a quick guide to fluorescence in I color diamonds:
| Fluorescence | Impact on I Color |
|---|---|
| None to Faint | No noticeable difference |
| Medium | Can make I color face up whiter |
| Strong/Very Strong | Potentially hazy or oily look |
In general, you’ll want to select an I color diamond with faint to medium fluorescence for the best sparkle and brilliance. But every diamond needs to be judged on its own appearance and beauty.
I color vs. higher colors on a budget
One of the top reasons people select an I color diamond is cost savings. An I color diamond offers a great intersection of beauty and affordability compared to rare D-F colorless stones. Here’s a look at how I color prices compare:
| Diamond Color | Price for 1 Carat Round Diamond (Good cut, SI1 clarity) |
|---|---|
| D | $6,300 |
| E | $5,700 |
| F | $4,600 |
| G | $3,900 |
| I | $3,400 |
As you move down just a few grades from D to I, there are huge price reductions. An I color diamond costs nearly half of a comparable D color. This allows you to get a much bigger diamond for your budget if you select an I color grade.
Should you go lower than I color?
Once you go below I color into the J-M faint yellow grades, the diamonds begin showing more obvious yellow tints. While J color can still work well, especially with yellow gold settings, the sparkle and brilliance do decrease somewhat compared to I color and above.
If staying within a limited budget, selecting an I color maximizes the diamond’s beauty. While you could go down into J-M grades to save more money, the visible warmth and dullness will start to detract from the diamond’s sparkle. An I color gives you an ideal balance of beauty, brilliance, and affordability.
Conclusion
An I color diamond can offer exceptional sparkle and light performance if the cut is well-proportioned. While D-F colors are more colorless, I color is still classified as near colorless and will face up a clean white color once set. Its faint yellow tint is barely perceptible face-up.
With proper selection – excellent cut, white metal, halo setting – an I color diamond will have outstanding brilliance and fire. If your budget is more limited, an I color gives you a significantly bigger diamond while still retaining colorless-range beauty. As long as you know how to maximize an I color diamond, it can make a stunning and affordable engagement ring with plenty of sparkle.
