Color: One of the 4Cs of Diamond Quality

When discussing the color of natural white diamonds, the range extends from colorless to light yellowish or brownish. As the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) reports, "a chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond has no hue" {cited}. Because chemically pure white diamonds are extremely rare, and because they naturally reflect more light, resulting in greater brilliance, fire, and scintillation, diamonds that approach colorless on the scale are considerably more valuable than those that demonstrate faint color. In order to standardize the measure of color in white diamonds, the GIA, under an artificially controlled lighting situation, established a set of master stones which range in color from Colorless to Light Yellow. Using this set of master stones, the GIA established what has now become the industry standard for measuring color in white diamonds. When a diamond is certified by the GIA, a diamond expert takes the test diamond into a room from which all color has been eliminated from the surfaces and the light sources {Lumera Diamonds}. When a diamond is face down, the fire and brightness are minimized, thereby rendering a diamond's color more noticeable. Therefore, the test diamond is compared face down with the master stones by trained experts and given a Color Grade between D and Z.

Colorless Diamonds

Diamonds which fall between D and F are classified as Colorless. Though the differences between the three Colorless grades can significantly affect the market value of the stones, these variations can rarely be detected by the untrained eye. To ensure that you are truly getting the quality you are paying for, we recommend that you insist on GIA certification for stones in this range. Colorless Diamonds are the most desirable, and as such they are the most expensive per carat. When choosing a diamond in the D-F category, experts recommend setting the stone in a white gold or platinum setting. Since the reflective nature of yellow gold will cancel out the colorless effect of your stone, the money you spent on color will be lost on the eye of the observer.

Near Colorless Diamonds

Diamonds classified between G and J are considered Near Colorless. Again, in a normal lighting situation, an untrained eye will observe no color in a G-J stone. Under certain lighting conditions and when compared side by side with a stone of a higher color grade, subtle differences between a D and a J stone might be noticeable, these types of circumstances rarely arise for the average consumer. What is relevant to the average consumer is the marked difference in price between a Near Colorless and Colorless diamond. According to some, a perfectly beautiful I-J diamond could cost as much as 50% less than a D diamond of the same size and clarity. While D-F diamonds are recommended only for white metals and K-Z stones are recommended only for yellow metals, Near Colorless diamonds can be set in either white or yellow metals.

Faint Color Diamonds

Diamonds in the K-M range have enough color to be detectable by the naked eye under normal lighting conditions. Categorized as Faint Color, these diamonds can be extremely beautiful, especially in the warmth of a yellow gold setting which will diminish the appearance of yellow in the diamond. If the slight yellow tint in the diamond is pleasing to your eye, you could mount them in white gold or platinum. However, the white metal will draw attention to the color in the stone. The color in K-M diamonds is usually still fairly subtle, and the soft fire and brilliance can be extremely romantic. Diamonds in this range can still be of high quality, especially if they have a high Cut Grade and Clarity, while at the same time remaining economical in price.

Very Light & Light Color Diamonds

Diamonds categorized N-R are labeled Very Light Color and will have a noticeable yellow or brown hue. Diamonds in this category will be considerably lower in price than even those in the K-M range. If you don't mind a more noticeable color in your stone and your Cut grade is Excellent or Very Good, diamonds in this color range can provide an economical way for you to choose a larger diamond. The final category, Light Color (S-Z) are almost always too yellow or brown for most customers, especially those choosing a stone for an engagement ring.

In a Perfect World

In a perfect world, you would walk in to your retailer and purchase a decent-sized, D-F, Flawless diamond, with an Excellent Cut grade. Unfortunately, very few average consumers will be able to afford a diamond of this quality, which means that in at least one area they will have to sacrifice. Whereas it is inadvisable to compromise in the area of Cut Grade, the Color scale offers quite a bit of flexibility for the average consumer. Depending on how large you want to go and which metals you prefer, you can often find a diamond in a lower color grade to offset the price of a higher cut or larger carat size. For example, if you desire a mid-sized stone and you plan to mount it in platinum or white gold, then you could easily choose a diamond in the I-J Color range, which would likely be as much as half the price of a D-rated diamond of the same size.

If You Must Compromise

It is important to note that the larger a diamond is, the more noticeable even trace amounts of color will become. Experts in the industry recommend that if you desire a stone larger than 1 carat that appears colorless to the casual observer, you will want to choose a diamond from the G-H range. However, if your stone is less than 1 carat, you can easily go with a diamond rated I-J. In addition, more reflective shapes will also distract the eye from a stone's color. Therefore, if you must compromise in color, consider choosing a shape that has many facets, such as a princess, round, or other brilliant cut. Different settings can also affect the way a diamond appears to the observer's eye.

The Best Decision You Can Make

Ultimately, the best decision you can make when preparing to purchase a diamond is to sit down with a diamond expert and examine multiple stones side by side, loose and mounted, in various settings of different colors. Try them on and observe the differences in price across the color scale. Watch for how diamonds of the same Color grade vary according to their Cut, Carat Weight, and Clarity. Also, observe how similar diamonds interact within different settings. The more stones you can see and touch, the more confidence you will have when you make your final decision. Purchasing a diamond is one of the most important events of a lifetime. We at EraGem want to help you make the best informed decision you can make for you and your loved one.