Color: How Color-less It Is

Color is another important factor to consider when selecting a diamond for an engagement ring. Diamond color actually refers to the absence of color, with the most valuable diamonds being colorless.

The Diamond Color Grading Scale

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamond color on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). This scale is divided into five main categories:

• Colorless (D, E, F): These diamonds are the most rare and valuable, with no visible color even under magnification.
• Near Colorless (G, H, I, J): These diamonds appear colorless to the naked eye, but may have slight hints of color when viewed under magnification.
• Faint (K, L, M): These diamonds have a slightly visible yellow or brown tint.
• Very Light (N, O, P, Q, R): These diamonds have a more noticeable yellow or brown tint.
• Light (S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z): These diamonds have an obvious yellow or brown tint and are less desirable for engagement rings.

My Personal Opinion

Much like my opinion on clarity, I don't understand why anyone buys the highest color ratings. My eyes aren't good enough to tell the difference between anything above the "I" rating. I recommend going to a jewelry store to see the different color ratings yourself so you can determine what rating you're comfortable with.

Also Worth Mentioning:

• Carat Impact: Color differences are more noticeable in higher-carat stones. So when you check out different color stones in-person, make sure you're looking at stones about the same size as what you're after.
• Setting Impact: The diamond's setting can impact the perception of color. Yellow gold and rose gold settings can make a diamond with a lower color grade appear more colorless, while white gold and platinum settings may make color more noticeable.

Lastly: Fancy Colored Diamonds

There are also diamonds available in other fancy colors (though confusingly, this is not what people usually mean when talking about diamond color). Colorless diamonds are by far the most popular, but you can also buy diamonds in other fancy colors including yellow, blue, pink, and red. These diamonds are graded on a different scale than colorless diamonds. They are rare and can be significantly more expensive than colorless diamonds.