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Diamond Color
Explore our most sought-after women's wedding rings that showcase stunning, exclusive designs.
What Is Diamond Color?
As one of the 4 C’s used to describe and determine diamond quality, cut references how well a diamond’s facets interact with light. Though it’s often confused with shape, which refers to the external outline of a diamond (such as round, oval, or pear), cut is actually responsible for a diamond’s ability to transmit light and sparkle. Precise artistry and craftsmanship are required to cut a diamond so that its proportions, symmetry, and polish deliver maximum light return and stunning shine. The better a diamond is cut, the more sparkly it will be.
J
The flat surface at the top of the diamond.
H
The top portion of a diamond, from the girdle to the table.
I
The flat surface at the top of the diamond.
G
The top portion of a diamond, from the girdle to the table.
F
The flat surface at the top of the diamond.
E
The flat surface at the top of the diamond.
D
The flat surface at the top of the diamond.
Diamond Color Scale
As one of the 4 C’s used to describe and determine diamond quality, cut references how well a diamond’s facets interact with light. Though it’s often confused with shape, which refers to the external outline of a diamond (such as round, oval, or pear), cut is actually responsible for a diamond’s ability to transmit light and sparkle. Precise artistry and craftsmanship are required to cut a diamond so that its proportions, symmetry, and polish deliver maximum light return and stunning shine. The better a diamond is cut, the more sparkly it will be.
Colorless Diamond Grades
D, E, and F are colorless grades. D and E-colored diamonds have virtually no color, and F diamonds have a nearly undetectable amount of color that shows only in the face-down position (when the diamond is viewed from the bottom). These icy-white diamonds are the rarest and the highest quality in color.
D Color
D is the highest color grade awarded only to completely colorless diamonds. To the naked eye, D color diamonds feature an icy whiteness that contains no color at all.
E Color
E-color diamonds are colorless and appear almost identical to D-color diamonds. The majority of the time, the difference between these two grades is only visible to an expert gemologist.
F Color
F-color diamonds are also colorless and appear almost identical to D and E-color diamonds. Generally, only an expert gemologist or trained professional can distinguish between a D, E, and F-color diamond when viewing them from a top-down position.
Colorless Diamond Value
Colorless diamonds are the rarest and most expensive white diamonds, as they are considered the highest quality on the GIA color scale. Since only an expert can easily tell the difference between a D, E, or F-colored diamond, they all make for top-notch, premium options when considering which color is best for you.
Near Colorless Diamond Grades
G, H, I, and J are near colorless grades. They can feature a warmth but mostly look colorless face-up and nearly colorless face-down. When mounted in a yellow or rose gold setting, they may appear to have slight traces of color that are generally not noticeable without a professional eye.
G Color
G is the highest color grade in the near-colorless range. It displays nearly no color, appearing mostly colorless to the naked eye.
H Color
H-color diamonds also appear mostly colorless to the naked eye but can have a faint yellow tint against white backgrounds or in bright lighting. This very slight tint may be noticeable when compared to diamonds of a higher color grade but is generally not apparent to the untrained, unaided eye.
I Color
I-color diamonds have a slight tint that’s apparent against white backgrounds or in bright lighting. Like H-color diamonds, their slight tint may be noticeable when compared to diamonds of a higher color grade but is generally not apparent to the untrained, unaided eye.
J Color
J-color diamonds have a slight tint when viewed against white backgrounds or in bright lighting. Like H and I-color diamonds, their tint may be noticeable when compared to diamonds of a higher color grade, but it’s generally not apparent to the untrained, unaided eye.
Near Colorless Diamond Value
Near-colorless diamonds are normally more affordable than colorless diamonds. As they are typically difficult to distinguish without an expert eye, G, H, I, and J-color diamonds make for a stunning and often more affordable option in comparison with colorless diamonds. The difference between each near-colorless grade appears so slight that they all make for stunning, sparkling options.
Faint Color Diamond Grades
K, L, and M are considered faint color grades. They exhibit a warm tint visible to the naked eye that is increasingly sought after, especially for those whose hearts are set on yellow or rose gold designs with a vintage feel. Please note that Brilliant Earth does not carry K, L, or M-color diamonds.
K Color
K-color diamonds have a tint that can be visible to the naked eye in normal lighting conditions.
L Color
L-color diamonds, like K-color diamonds, have a faint tint that can be visible to the naked eye in normal lighting conditions.
M Color
M-color diamonds, like K and L-color diamonds, have a faint tint that can be visible to the naked eye in normal lighting conditions.
Faint Color Diamond Value
Compared to colorless and near-colorless diamonds, faint color diamonds can be much more affordable options. However, as the tint of these stones is visible to the naked eye, we do not recommend them to anyone looking for a bright white diamond. However, if a slight tint is beautiful to you, these stones make for a unique, more accessible choice.
Very Light and Light Color Grades
Diamonds graded between N-Z are considered very light or light color diamonds. They exhibit a yellow, brown, or grey tint that is very noticeable even to the untrained eye. Considered to be low color grade stones, these diamonds are generally the least desired and most affordable. Brilliant Earth does not carry N-Z color diamonds, though we offer an assortment of fancy-colored diamonds in various colors.
Diamond Color Chart
Diamond Color Grading Process
To grade a diamond’s color on the GIA scale, experts compare it to stones of known color, called master stones, under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions on pure white paper. This comparative process allows for a precise and accurate description of the diamond’s color on a scale between D and Z. Once the color grade is determined, it’s added to the diamond’s certified grading report alongside cut, clarity, carat, and other identifying details.
How Important is a Diamond's Color?
Color can be a very important factor when picking your perfect diamond. Not only does the quality of color grading affect a diamond’s price, but it can also significantly affect its appearance. Though icy, colorless diamonds are traditionally the most coveted, contemporary couples often opt for a diamond with a warmer tint, as it can display a unique and timeless look.
As always, finding the right diamond for you will involve discovering the right balance of the 4 C’s and your budget. If color is the most important factor for you, you may need to sacrifice on carat weight, cut, or clarity. Or vice versa, if carat weight, cut, or clarity is the most important, opting for a near-colorless diamond can be a better option than a colorless one.
Should You Match Your Center Diamond Color with the Side Stones?
While your center diamond and side stone diamonds don’t need to match exactly, it’s important to remember that they can affect one another. For example, if your center stone is a warmer J-color and your side stones are an icy D-color, your center stone may appear to have more of an intense tint than it does in contrast with the more colorless side stones. The opposite is also true: if you have a colorless E-color center stone and G-color accent stones, your center stone may appear even more icy white.
Tips for Choosing Diamond Color
Color can be a very important factor when picking your perfect diamond. Not only does the quality of color grading affect a diamond’s price, but it can also significantly affect its appearance. Though icy, colorless diamonds are traditionally the most coveted, contemporary couples often opt for a diamond with a warmer tint, as it can display a unique and timeless look.
As always, finding the right diamond for you will involve discovering the right balance of the 4 C’s and your budget. If color is the most important factor for you, you may need to sacrifice on carat weight, cut, or clarity. Or vice versa, if carat weight, cut, or clarity is the most important, opting for a near-colorless diamond can be a better option than a colorless one.
Fancy Colored Diamonds
While your center diamond and side stone diamonds don’t need to match exactly, it’s important to remember that they can affect one another. For example, if your center stone is a warmer J-color and your side stones are an icy D-color, your center stone may appear to have more of an intense tint than it does in contrast with the more colorless side stones. The opposite is also true: if you have a colorless E-color center stone and G-color accent stones, your center stone may appear even more icy white.
