DIAMOND COLOR CHART
UNDERSTANDING COLOR
Diamond color measures what you cannot see. The less color a diamond has, the higher its value. Most diamonds range from colorless to near-colorless with faint yellow or brown tints.
THE D-Z SCALE
The industry standard grading system. Starts at D for colorless. Ends at Z for light yellow or brown. Each grade has a defined color range.
COLORLESS (D-F)
No color visible to the trained eye. D is completely colorless. E and F show minute traces only experts can detect. Highest value range.
NEAR-COLORLESS (G-J)
Color difficult to detect unless compared to higher grades. Excellent value. Most popular choice. Color barely visible when mounted.
FAINT TO LIGHT (K-Z)
Noticeable yellow or brown tint. Visible to untrained eyes. Lower cost per carat. Some prefer warmer tones in vintage settings.
HOW GRADING WORKS
Diamonds are graded by comparing them to master stones of known color. Done under controlled lighting conditions. Viewed face-down to eliminate brilliance that can mask body color.
Many color differences are invisible to untrained eyes. These subtle distinctions create significant differences in quality and price. A one-grade difference can change value by hundreds or thousands.
WHY START AT D?
Before the D-Z scale, many systems existed. Some used A-B-C with multiple A grades for best stones. Others used numbers or terms like "gem blue" or "blue white." This created confusion and inconsistency.
The scale creators wanted a fresh start. They chose D because no previous system used it for top quality. No association with old, unreliable methods. A new standard that meant precision.
CHOOSING YOUR COLOR GRADE
Metal Color Affects Appearance
White gold and platinum show diamond color more clearly. Yellow or rose gold can mask slight tints. Lower color grades often look better in warm-toned metals.
Size Matters
Larger diamonds show color more easily. Smaller stones can hide tints better. A 0.5-carat K-color stone may appear whiter than a 2-carat K-color stone.
Shape Considerations
Round brilliants hide color better than other shapes. Step-cut diamonds like emerald and asscher show more color. Fancy shapes may need higher color grades to appear colorless.
Budget vs. Appearance
G-H grades offer the best value. Nearly colorless at lower cost than D-F. Most people cannot detect the difference when mounted. Put savings toward larger size or better cut.
NEED GUIDANCE?
We can help you choose the right color grade for your diamond. Talk through how color affects your specific setting and budget.