Best Diamond Color
Oftentimes, when you think of diamonds whether this may be a natural diamond or a lab grown diamond, you simply think of the crystal clear diamonds you see in all the TV commercials and magazine ads. Diamonds that glitter in beautiful gold and silver settings, are worn by models and are framed to signify great wealth and opulence.
Or maybe you think of that last rap video you watched, with the guy that flashed a diamond in his teeth when he smiled. Either way, you probably don’t think of any particular color when you hear the word diamond.
However, diamonds do, in fact, come in a variety of different colors, not just the well-known and beloved clear ones. You can find diamonds in varying hues of white, pink, blue, purple, yellow, amber, and red. Diamonds even come in the color black.
What Causes a Diamond’s Color?
The color of any diamond results from other minerals present in the carbon when the diamond is formed. The minerals trap and filter the light that passes through the stone to give it its color.
It only takes a tiny amount of another material to make a tremendous difference to the diamond’s color. For example, a small amount of nitrogen makes a diamond appear yellow, while the presence of boron can make a diamond appear blue.
There are even black diamonds which you can read more about here.
How Is Diamond Color Measured
The Gemological Institute of America(GIA) formed the standard scale that is used for rating a diamond’s color. Every stone is assessed for color and given a letter diamond grading report. The color of a diamond is measured on a scale that goes from grade D (colorless) to grade Z. A diamond with a color grade of D is more valuable than a diamond with a color grade of Z.
Which Color Diamond Is the Best?
Color is an essential factor to consider when deciding on the type of diamond you want to buy. It’s also very subjective despite grading and values because you might personally prefer how a blue diamond looks, even if a pink diamond happens to be worth more.
So the short answer is that the best diamond color is the one you fall in love with! However, most people tend to gravitate to ‘white’ or ‘colorless’ diamonds for engagement rings or diamond studs, which is what we’ll discuss more in-depth below.
Understanding Diamond Color
The size of a diamond has an impact on your perception of the color in the diamond. That’s because it’s difficult to see the actual color in diamonds that are any less than half a carat. The larger the diamond, the easier it is to perceive color.
Additionally, when looking for the best color for a diamond ring or diamond studs, obtaining enough information and understanding how each color is graded and ranked is essential.
Keep in mind that a chemically pure and well-structured diamond has no hue. It’s like a drop of pure water. For diamonds that do have color, the majority of those color distinctions are so subtle that they’re invisible to the untrained eye.
To help make your decision easier when shopping, below is a breakdown of the color grading scale to refer back to before making your choice. Note that this scale is for diamonds that are considered ‘white’ or ‘colorless’ since they tend to be the most common choice and are considered one of the best colors for diamond rings.
Diamonds that are other colors like blue or pink are considered a fancy color diamond option and are graded on an entirely different scale.
Colorless Diamond: Grades D-F
Grades D color to F color are the highest of color grades, meaning the diamonds are all but entirely colorless to the naked eye. They’re a transparent color without any hint of yellow, making them the most valuable and scarce of diamond colors in the world.
The diamonds in this color category are usually mounted in white gold or platinum. That’s largely because yellow gold, and other color settings can sometimes take away from the high luminosity of these color grades.
Grades D color to F color are a great choice for your engagement ring as they offer the best diamond clarity and color. In fact, any color they may display is barely detectable, and can only be viewed face down by a gemologist. For example, it’s almost impossible to distinguish between D color, E color, and F color unless they are put directly next to each other in a face-down position.
The white color of these diamonds makes them look stunning, beautiful, and desirable. Especially when used in rings, which is why they are so popular and sought after for any wedding ring or diamond engagement ring. We’d highly recommend this diamond color range for the true perfectionists of the world.
Of course, individuals who love the most precious of diamonds, will prefer a grade D diamond. However, keep in mind that a grade D will increase a diamond’s price, and that price can be affected by specific attributes like the diamond’s carat, cut, and clarity.
Therefore, if you’re more budget-minded and you’re okay with going a step lower and choosing an E color or F color diamond, you might find a better deal. Just remember whatever grade you choose, it’s essential to maximize the diamond’s other features and not just color, to strike a good balance and find the best value.
Nearly Colorless Diamond: Grades G-J
G through J diamonds exhibit nearly no color to the naked eye. As a result, this grade is ranked as the second-most valuable color range in the market after grades D-F.
The G color is one step down from a genuinely colorless tier, despite appearing colorless. Even though it may appear to have no color, it actually does, you just can’t see it. G is followed by H color, which is another good one that’s very near the colorless grade. H color is the final color grade where brown or yellow tint is not visible when the diamond is face-up.
For diamonds with an I color grade, color can be masked easily. However, a J color grade will show a bit more body color than I, but it’s still good when paired with rose gold or yellow gold settings.
However, although some tints of color can be seen within G-J color diamonds, the shades are not easily detectable. Therefore, just like the D-F diamonds, it is advisable to set them in white gold or platinum if you want to reduce the effects of color reflection.
Remember, diamonds that are within this range usually appear colorless when placed in a face-up position. However, when you view them from a face-down position, they produce a slight amount of body color. Regardless of the slight color that may be visible, these are an excellent grade for engagement rings and similar jewelry, that are still valuable but won’t be as costly as higher grade diamonds.
Faint Diamond: Grades K-M
Grades K through M are considered faint tint diamond colors, meaning that they have some visible yellow tint. As a result, diamonds sold at this color range cost less than those in the G to J range. It is a sure win for people who want to set the diamond in a beautiful gold setting.
Diamonds belonging to this color grade probably should not be set with white gold or platinum. These colors tend to resonate with those who love the warmer look the faint color gives the diamonds. Just be careful not to overspend on color. Look for a diamond at a good, fair price, which is definitely possible within this range.
Very Light Diamond: Grades N-R
Those who are on a very tight budget might consider one of these gradings. A diamond graded between the ranges of N and R has a noticeable brown or yellow tint to it that’s very easily visible.
As a result, these diamonds are available at a lower price point than those with faint color and are much less costly than nearly colorless diamonds. However, if you do choose an N through R stone, it’s prudent to be careful when selecting your settings to keep the color from becoming too apparent.
Light Diamond: Grades S-Z
Finally, there are light yellow diamonds or grades S-Z. Also called heavily tinted, the color of stones in these grading ranges is quite apparent even when it’s mounted. Diamonds graded S-Z have a noticeable brown or yellow tint to them, are significantly less valuable, and aren’t recommended for special occasion jewelry like engagement rings or wedding bands.