How A Diamond’s Color Changes its Value, Price and Grade from D to Z

Whether your diamond is slightly yellow or brown, a bit white, or virtually clear or colorless will affect its price and value. The letter indicating the diamond's color grade is clearly listed on the diamond's certificate from the laboratory. Color reflects the gem’s rarity and also increases or decreases the value of the stone as well as ultimately, the price that can be charged for it. Among the 4 C’s (cut, color, clarity and carat weight) that together determine diamond value and pricing, color is pretty straightforward. Generally, the closer to colorless your diamond is, then the more rare and valuable the stone and also the more expensive.

Color can also matter when you are trying to select several diamonds for use together on a ring or necklace or earrings. Sometimes it is important to have the stones closely matched in color or to display a range of colors for the best overall effect.

Summary of GIA Letter Grades for Colorless Diamonds

The Gemological Institute of America or GIA instituted a color scale for diamonds using letter grades. On the GIA grading scale, stones with the best color (closest to colorless) are rated using the letters D, E, and F. (Letters A, B, and C are skipped,these first three letters of the alphabet are not used for diamond color grading.)

Stones with grades G, H and I for color appear virtually colorless when mounted face up.

Smaller diamonds (under about a half a carat) graded J, K and L will also look almost colorless when mounted face up. Color is more noticeable as the size of the diamond increases, so you would notice the coloring more easily in larger diamonds with a J, K or L color grade.

Most people can easily notice the yellow or brown coloring in diamonds with the color grades M through Z so these grades are less desirable and therefore less expensive.

Note: Certain diamonds with extremely strong yellow or brown coloring are rare enough to be considered extra valuable and would be included in the “fancy color” category of diamonds along with the very rare blue, pink and purple diamonds. More information about fancy colors such as Chocolate brown and the very rare blue, pink and purple diamonds.

Diamond Color: When a Grade of D is the Best Possible!

Although we tend to imagine gem quality diamonds as being colorless or clear, they are most often slightly yellow or slightly brown! The closer to colorless a diamond is, the rarer it is. An ideal colorless stone gets a top color grade. In the diamond industry, the ultimate best color grade for being closest to colorless is a D!

An Exception: Premium Diamonds in Fancy Colors

Besides the traditional colorless diamonds, there are also some diamonds with extreme color. These are considered fancy colors and are color graded separately.(See Fancy Color Diamonds.)

Laboratory Graded Diamonds Using Color Masterstones

Diamonds are graded for color by comparison to a special color scale. The best way to check the gradation of color of a diamond is to compare it with a set of diamond color master stones under specially controlled lighting conditions. Diamond grading procedures done in a laboratory setting will yield the most accurate and consistent color grade. The grade will be shown on the laboratory certificate or laboratory report for your diamond.

GIA Color Grades from Best to Good to Poor

In colorless diamonds, the best color -- or truly colorless grade -- is labeled “D” according to the GIA or Gemological Institute of America. (The letters A, B and C are not used for grading color.) Stones with the top color grades of D, E, or F are very rare.

Stones considered near colorless are graded G, H, I and J. Stones graded G, H and I tend to appear colorless when mounted face up (to the average person’s eye.)

Smaller diamonds under about a half a carat and graded J, K and L will also look almost colorless when face up and when mounted, especially in a yellow gold setting. If you want to make these color grades appear more clear, use a mounting of yellow gold.

Color grades M through Z are easy for most people to distinguish as being “not colorless” and so are much less desirable.

Diamond Color and Price: Paying More for Less

Less color means a higher price. Keep in mind that there will always be trade-offs in diamond pricing between the four C’s (The 4 C’s of diamond value are cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.) Some people will prefer a diamond with a superior color grade, some might prefer a stone that is larger, some might emphasize clarity or sparkle in their selection. Each of these factors will influence value and price. But if you are looking for a way to reduce price, a little leeway on the color grade might make the difference for you.

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