Contrary to popular belief, diamonds come in many colors, but when it comes to fine jewelry, diamond color is described in terms of “whiteness”. Usually, precious pieces such as engagement rings are adorned with white diamonds, yet their perceived color can be affected by the diamond’s shape and setting metal.
DIAMOND COLOR
For most diamonds, color is described in terms of “whiteness”. Unlike fancy-colored diamonds, which are valued for their color intensity, white diamonds are valued for their lack of color. Lower value diamonds are usually more yellowish in color.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed a diamond color grading scale which is widely used by the diamond industry and assigns diamond color grade on a scale ranging from D to Z. Most retailers do not carry diamonds below L grade, which begin to show faint color of yellow or brown tinges.
Differences between diamond color grades can be very subtle and often cant be detected by the naked eye. Diamonds that are J grade and above generally appear “colorless” to the untrained eye. However, color becomes easier to detect as diamond size increases. The larger the diamond, the more important color grades become.
Diamond shape and setting metal should also be taken into consideration, as they can affect the perceived color.
Diamond Color Chart
Color tends to be less noticeable in brilliant cuts, due to the high number of facets. Step cuts, such as emerald, radiant, and asscher, are also more revealing of color.
Colorless Diamonds
The most valuable of all color grades, the difference between D, E, and F diamonds can only be distinguished by experts.
D to F diamonds should be set in white metals. A warm or dark metal setting would affect the diamond’s perceived color, undermining its value.
Near Colorless
Near colorless diamonds have a very slight trace of color, but are still suitable for white gold settings.
I and J colors are excellent value choices for diamonds under one carat, while G color or H grading is recommended for diamonds over one carat.
Faint Color
Faint color becomes visible to the naked eye from K color grade down. For those who don’t mind the hue, K to M color diamonds offers unbeatable value.
Warm metals work best with diamonds of this grade, which tend to have a yellow or brown tinge.
Very Light Color
N to R grade diamonds are rarely used by jewelers due to their noticeable color.
Light Color
Sometimes mistaken for fancy-colored diamonds, N to R grade diamonds have clearly visible color.
Setting Metal
Once a diamond is set in jewelry, it becomes more difficult to see its true color. For lower color grade diamonds, yellow and rose gold can help make traces of color less apparent. White metals on the other hand, make hints of color more visible, and are therefore perfect for showcasing a colorless diamond.
A pure diamond will be completely transparent and colourless. However, it is possible to get coloured diamonds in a variety of different shades with some of the most common being grey, blue, red, green and even black. Any coloured diamond will contain interstitial impurities or structural defects. Generally, fancy colored diamonds are less valuable than pure versions.
Pure diamond natural color range is completely transparent and colourless. However, due to interstitial impurities, and in some cases, structural defects they can come in a variety of different colours. Some of the most common are white, steel grey, blue, yellow, red, pink, green and even black.
A 2-carat diamond ring is a substantial size and will cost anything from $5,000 to over $60,000. The substantial difference in price can be attributed to the clarity of the diamond, its cut and the cut’s quality, as well as the colour of stone.
According to color grading, its best to stay in the colorless (absence of color) or near colorless range . Colorless includes D, E color and F color. Colorless is from G color onwards until J.
Yes, I color sits in the near colorless range on the diamond color scale and offers great value and quality.
According to color grading, its best to stay in the colorless (absence of color) or near colorless range . Colorless includes D, E color and F color. Colorless is from G color onwards until J.
G through to J color are known as near colorless but still offer good quality and value. Like G color diamonds, although these have a slight tint, they can be set in platinum or white gold without any issues. H color diamonds are slightly less expensive than G color diamonds and significantly more affordable than diamonds in the colorless range.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed a diamond color grading scale which is widely used by the diamond industry which refers to how clear or yellow it is. It assigns diamond color grade on a scale ranging from D to Z.
D is the best diamond color within the highest grade of colorless in the diamond grading system.
Red, pink and blue are considered the rarest and most valuable.
Red Diamonds are the rarest and most expensive diamond color.
D,E color and F color are known as colorless on the diamond color chart, which is the highest grade and therefore the most valuable. G through to J color are known as near colorless but still offer good quality and value. Aim for something in these ranges if your budget allows.
A diamond’s color refers to how clear or yellow it is and its grading is determined by experts using a GIA diamond color scale. The absence of color is generally one of several indicators of good value when it comes to diamond quality.
White, blue, yellow, orange, red, green, pink to purple, brown, grey and black.
Diamond colors are graded from D to Z, with most diamonds used in jewelry falling somewhere into the D to M color grade range. When buying a diamond, its best to aim for a gem that has the least visible color tint to your eyes. Keep in mind that the prong setting of the ring can play a role in the perception and view of the color.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed a diamond color grading scale which is widely used by the diamond industry and assigns diamond color grade on a scale ranging from D to Z.
Diamond color grade is a grade diamond experts assign from a color chart scale ranging from D to Z. D,E color and F color are known as colorless and therefore the most valuable. G through to J color are known as near colorless but still offer good quality and value. Below J color, there is K color, which is classified as having a faint yellow tint that is viable to the naked eye. Diamonds in this price range can be found for significantly less than those in the G to J range. Diamonds in the N-R range or S-Z diamonds have a viable yellow tint and even brown tone and therefore are available at much lower price points.
Colorless diamonds are considered the most desirable within the diamond color grading system.
Near colorless diamonds appear primarily colorless to the naked eye. These diamonds offer good value and less costly than colourless type and should be set in platinum or white gold to reduce any effects of color reflection from yellow.
Yes, colorless diamonds are considered to be the highest quality and therefore the most costly compared to other diamonds in the color range.
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