Facts About Diamond Color That Can Help You Save Money?
Are you worried about getting ripped off when shopping for diamonds?
Don’t worry we are here to help you.
When buying diamonds it is important to focus on the 4Cs. However, it is important to focus mainly on the cut of your diamond. When it comes to color and clarity, you can take it a bit easy.
What does that mean?
To make things very simple, close color grades are barely distinguishable unless put under a microscope. However, they are very distinguishable when it comes to their price.
By following this blog, you can make sure that you don’t spend too much on your diamond based on it’s color grade.
Let’s get started!
Everything You Need to Know About Diamond Color Grade
The color of a diamond refers to the amount of yellow tint that is visible in it. Diamonds of the highest quality are generally white, but others have a yellowish tint.
The Gemological Institute of America, grades diamonds between D to Z color grades. With every passing alphabet after D, the color grade of your diamond falls. The color grade of your diamond does have a considerable impact on the price of the diamond.
Distinctly colored diamonds are different from the color grade of diamonds that we are referring to. Specifically colored diamonds are prized pieces and you pay for the color. In the case of white diamonds, the presence of color is looked upon as a flaw.
The presence of any kind of color in a white diamond hinders the reflection of light back to our eye from off the diamond.
Colorless diamonds are rare and expensive. It is not necessary to only buy colorless diamonds. In fact we will show you how you can actually save money on your diamonds by selecting diamonds of certain color grades.
How Important Is Your Diamond’s Color Grade?
Your diamond’s color does matter but only to a certain extent. When picking your diamond, it is important to distinguish between color & clarity and carat weight & cut.
The reason why we make such a discrepancy is because both cut and carat weight are aspects of a diamond you want to maximize on. They can be looked upon as positive traits. Choosing a diamond of excellent cut quality will be a very good choice.
Color and Clarity affect your diamond negatively. You don’t want too much color on your diamond. The best way to choose color is to check for diamonds that appear white to the naked eye.
There is no point in spending excess money on something you cannot see. When choosing diamonds, it is always preferable to pick a diamond where you cannot visibly see color. In such a scenario, the diamond would appear white even if it is not a premium color grade. This is the best way to shop for diamonds. Choosing a premium color grade might make you compromise on your diamond’s cut quality. Under no circumstances is that a good choice.
Here are certain things you should keep in mind about diamond color.
- The absence of color is a good indicator of your diamond being of higher value
- Diamonds are graded from D to Z, with jewelry ranging from D to M.
- The color of your diamond can be masked by the appropriate ring setting.
- Your diamond’s color grade should always be verified by a grading professional.
- The value and grade of your diamond differs between colored and colorless diamonds.
Diamond Color Chart
| Color Grade | Description |
| D | D is the highest possible color grade your diamond can have. D color grade signifies that your diamond is colorless to the naked eye and under a microscope. D grade diamonds are very rare and expensive. They are generally preferred with a platinum or white gold ring setting to embellish and highlight the colorless nature of the diamond |
| E | The difference between a D and E color grade is not decipherable by laymen. Only diamond experts can tell the difference under a microscope. Like D color diamonds, they are preferred in a white gold or platinum setting. |
| F | F color diamonds are almost identical to D and E color. In fact it is very difficult to tell the difference between these three color grades. Even experts find it hard to distinguish between these color grades by just looking at them |
| G | G color diamonds are nearly colorless. Although they might have slight tints of yellow. It is not decipherable to the naked eye. Like F color diamonds, they look best in a white gold or platinum setting. |
| H | H color diamonds are primarily colorless but exhibit bits of color when seen under a microscope or in bright light. Like G diamonds they can be set in platinum or white gold. G color diamonds are slightly more affordable than the higher color grades. This is the minimum color grade we recommend for diamonds with large tables, like the Cushion Cut or the Marquise Cut. |
| I | I color diamonds are nearly colorless, but exhibit a yellowish tint when placed next to diamonds of higher color grades. An I color round brilliant will look stellar in a white gold or platinum setting. A rose gold or yellow gold setting is also preferable with this color grade. This is the minimum color grade that you should consider for Princess Cut diamonds. |
| J | A faint yellow tint may be observable when J color diamonds are observed under bright light or magnification . For diamond shapes with big tables, this yellow tint may even be visible to the naked eye. If you are on a budget, J color diamonds are your best choice. For diamonds with large tables and few facets, this color grade is not recommended. In the case of round brilliant diamonds, this color grade works with white gold and platinum settings. |
| K | K colored diamonds are classified as diamonds with ‘faint tint’ , which means that a slight yellowish tint is observable when it comes to this color grade. K color diamonds look best in a yellow gold setting. In general, it is not recommended to place K color diamonds in white gold or platinum settings. |
| L | L color diamonds have a slight yellow tint which is observable under normal light. Generally L grade diamonds are more affordable than other color categories that precede it. L color diamonds go best in a yellow gold setting. |
| M | This is the lowest grade that is offered by online jewelers. M color diamonds are very affordable and can hardly be distinguished from K and L grades. M color diamonds work best in yellow gold settings. |
| N-Z | These diamonds have a clearly distinguishable yellow or brown tint to them. We would not recommend these color grades. |
Things to remember
- You do not need to be an expert on diamond color to choose your diamond.
- Close color grades are very difficult to distinguish.
- There is no point in spending a fortune on color grades. If your diamond looks clear, go for it.
- The right setting helps hide your diamond’s color.
Fancy Color Diamonds Color Scale
Fancy color diamonds are graded in a different way. While white diamonds are graded from D-Z based on the lack of color. Fancy color diamonds are graded on the basis of their color intensity.
The grading of fancy color diamonds is from Faint to Fancy Deep.
- Faint
- Very light
- Light
- Fancy light
- Fancy
- Fancy Intense
- Fancy Vivid or Fancy Deep.
Faint grades would be slightly more yellow than Z grade diamonds. Whereas Fancy Deep yellow would be vivid with a distinct almost golden hue.
The Right Setting
The right setting can help mask your diamond’s color and also embellish your diamond.
White Gold or Platinum Solitaire Ring
Round Cut – H-J grade. Choosing a higher color setting is futile as it is not going to be observable with the naked eye.
Princess, Asscher, Emerald Cut – G-I grades
All other cuts – F – H grades.
Yellow Gold Ring
Round Cut – K – M Grades
Princess, Asscher, Emerald Cut – J -K Grades
All other cuts – I – J Grades
Pave or Halo Settings
Round Cut – G – I Grades
Princess, Asscher, Emerald Cut – G – I Grades
All other cuts – F – H Grades
What Color Grade Should You Choose For Your Diamond?
As mentioned above, you do not have to choose the best color grade. It is better to pay more attention to your diamond’s cut quality and carat weight. If you are looking to save money on your diamond, keep reading.
An I color diamond will look almost identical to a G color diamond, whereas the difference in price is a good 20%.
Irrespective of their yellowish tint, A J or K diamond would appear clean when you use a rose gold or yellow gold setting.
Choosing your diamond’s color grade is entirely up to you. Sticking to nearly colorless diamonds from G- I category is generally the best option.
Buying Colored Diamonds
Buying colored diamonds has never been easier. Log in to Jewel Hero, answer a few questions and get the contact information of jewelers near you. You can choose to connect with these jewelers online or visit their stores.
We connect eager customers with jewlers to make sure you always get the best deal on your diamonds. So what are you waiting for? Visit our website today!