Diamonds - Color

The diamond color grading scale varies from totally colorless to light yellow. The differences between one diamond color grade and another are very subtle and difficult to distinguish.

D-F : Colorless: perfect or almost perfect color.

G-J : Near colorless: good to very good color, and this diamond may "face up" colorless when mounted, especially in white gold or platinum.

K-M : Light but noticeable yellow or brown tint. Not recommended for larger diamond stone purchases, especially in engagement rings.

Out of the 4 C's of diamonds, diamond color and diamond cut are the two most important characteristics of a diamond.

Do not compromise on color

An "H" color or better is usually best. When jewelers speak of a diamond's color, they are usually referring to the absence of color in the diamond. Color is a result of the composition of the diamond, and it never changes over time.

To grade colorlessness, most jewelers refer to GIA's professional color scale that begins with the highest rating of D for colorless, and travels down the alphabet to grade stones with traces of very faint or light yellowish or brownish color. The color scale continues all the way to Z.