Diamond Color- All You Need to Know
It may sound ironic to you but it’s true that a diamond’s color refers to its lack of color. In other words, it’s evaluated and graded on the absence of color. According to GIA, a diamond that is chemically pure and perfect structurally has no hue, like a pure droplet of water.
Diamond color basically focuses on the natural color of the diamond not the reflection of spectral colors that occurs when a diamond moves or is subjected to UV light. When the diamond is formed under the surface of the earth it often contains traces of nitrogen which impacts the color of the diamond. Diamonds that exhibit less color are not just rare but high in value as well. They allow more light to pass through which releases more fire and brilliance.
- GIA Color Grade Scale
As aforementioned, that colorless diamonds are rare to find, GIA the world’s leading diamond research institute has developed a proper diamond color grading scale that helps measure the degree of colorlessness of the diamond to determine their worth. This scale is widely and readily used by diamond dealers to establish the color value of the diamonds they have in store.
GIA’s color grading scale starts from D which represents colorless and continues further with increasing color presence to Z. Here’s a closer look at different color grades and what do they mean:
| Grade | Diamond Color |
| D | This is the highest diamond color grade and means that the diamond is absolutely colorless. Such as diamond is almost very rare to find. And if you do find a D grade diamond it will be priced unbelievably. |
| E to F | This grade shows that the diamond has minute color traces which cannot be seen by an untrained eye but can be detected by an expert. It is colorless but not absolutely colorless. |
| H to G | Near colorless- Diamonds that fall under G and H grade are excellent in value. The color of these diamonds is hard to detect. In fact, it can only be identified when compared to diamonds with better grades. |
| I to J | Though these grades are also defined as near colorless but they do have slight warmth and color tone which is detectable. |
| K to M | Color is noticeable |
| N to R | Slight or obvious color |
| S to Z | Color is quite obvious in diamonds that fall under these grades |
