Diamond Color Scale Guide
Learn everything you need to know about the diamond color scale to select the perfect diamond for you.
Diamond Color Scale Guide
Learn everything you need to know about the diamond color scale to select the perfect diamond for you.
What Is Diamond Color?
Diamond color refers not to the presence of color within a diamond but to the absence or lack of it. As one of the 4 C's used to describe and determine diamond quality, it is an important factor in a diamond's appearance and value. A technically perfect diamond, like a drop of pure water, is colorless, while others may contain a slight yellowish tint or a fancy color, such as pink or blue.
Diamond Color Scale
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed the diamond color scale in the 1940s to standardize diamond color grading internationally. The scale begins with the letter D, which represents colorless, and increases in color presence to the letter Z, which represents as light yellow, grey, pink, or brown.
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 Altered Carbon 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. The Altered Carbon 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.
Diamond Color FAQs
What is the rarest diamond color?
What is the rarest diamond color?
D is the rarest color for diamonds within the normal color range (D-Z). For fancy-colored diamonds, the rarest color is an intense red or vibrant orange.
What is the most common diamond color?
What is the most common diamond color?
The most common diamonds used in engagement rings and fine jewelry are diamonds within the near-colorless range: G, H, I, and J.
Diamond clarity vs. color: which is more important?
Diamond clarity vs. color: which is more important?
Both diamond clarity and color are important. Which one is more important depends on which quality factor is more important to you. If a perfect, flawless stone is the most important to you, clarity is the most important. If an icy white, colorless diamond is the most important to you, color is the most important.
Does diamond fluorescence make a yellow diamond look whiter?
Does diamond fluorescence make a yellow diamond look whiter?
It is very rare for diamond fluorescence to impact the color appearance of your diamond under normal lighting conditions. If your diamond is fluorescent, you should only be able to tell is under direct UV lighting.
