Diamond Colour Scale: Complete Guide
Introduction: Diamond Colour scale:
A diamond’s colour scale is the second most important characteristic taken into consideration while purchasing diamonds or diamond jewellery. Even a small tint in a diamond can make a difference to your jewellery while making diamond jewellery. Like with the cut, the colour of the diamond is also an important factor while selecting the metal. For example, if you select any ring in white gold or platinum, you should go for these graded diamonds, i.e. D to H in the colour scale.
There are more demands for diamonds of near-colourless, light yellowish, and brownish. That is one of the reasons that different diamond testing laboratories have their system for grading the diamond colours. The more the colour of the diamond, the lower its price will be.
Diamond Colour Chart
The diamond colour chart explains the different colours of the diamond, which range from colourless to the shade. So, starting with the highest quality of diamonds that is colourless to near-colourless, till the darkest shades, i.e. yellow or brown. Many institutes have their own way of measuring the colour grades. Like the GIA, the colour scale starts from D, it goes all the way to Z.
There are numerous diamond colour grades in between D and Z. Going for the right colour diamond can certainly help you save a lot of money without affecting your choice and your budget. People who don’t have the professional knowledge about diamonds, this topic of colors will have some difficulty understanding the difference in the shades, but the difference between the D and Z grades can be detected due to their significant change in shades of colour. The diamond with the category of colourless diamonds is ranked higher on the colour grading scale than the diamond with some shades of colour.
Let’s try to understand each of the following diamond colour scale grades in an easy and simple format.
Colourless:
The colour grades that appear in the category of colourless diamonds are D, E, and F. The person with the perfect knowledge and grading experience can detect the precise differences between these 3 grades. When it comes to pricing, the value will differ greatly. The D colour diamonds are extremely rare and colourless, while E and F grades contain different types of sparkling features and appear colourless face-down as well as face-up, which only a professional or skilled person can explain.
Near Colourless:
In this category of Near colourless diamonds, the colour grades that appear are G, H, I, and J. These diamonds have a slightly warm shade, brownish or yellowish, which is difficult for any buyer to detect unless using the diamond tools. It can be greatly compared side-by-side with a diamond of a higher grade.
Faint:
The category of faint diamonds, the colour grades that appear are K, L, and M. These categories of diamonds will have proper shades of Yellow or brown colour. And it may be detected by the naked eye. However, these colour grade diamonds are not much desired or in demand. And this results in lower prices or a price drop as compared to the previous category of diamond grades.
Very Light:
In this category of very light diamonds, the colour grades that appear are N, O, P, Q, and R. These categories have a strong, notable colour that can vary from brown to yellow tint. These categories of diamonds are comparatively less in demand, and it is also known by the name of “Toplight Brown or yellow”.
Light:
The light diamonds category, where the colour grades that appear are from S to Z. These categories of diamonds come in dark to darkest shades. These are comparatively more in demand than the faint and very light category diamonds.
Explaining the Diamond colour scale grades separately:
Color |
Description |
D |
D has been given the highest colour grade, which means the D colour has no colour. When D diamond is seen under magnification, it will appear colourless. These are very expensive types of diamonds. |
E |
E colour diamonds have a similar quality to that of D colour diamonds. The proper difference is viewed under magnification and can be understood only by a person having expertise in diamonds. This type of diamond colour grade is popular and is always in demand by diamond lovers. |
F |
F colour diamonds have a similar colour to D and E grades, but with a different kind of shine or sparkle coming from them. It is difficult even under magnification to find an exact difference between a D, E, and F diamond to anyone other than a professional. |
G |
G colour diamond shows no colour, but the shine from the girdle will be less compared to the above-grade diamonds. Under the magnification, the diamond seems to show a very slight shade, which can only be seen when compared side by side with the top-grade diamonds. |
H |
H colour diamonds, when seen with the naked eye, appear to be colourless but have a faintly yellow or brown tint. The colour will be visible under some magnifications and also when compared to the higher colour-graded diamonds. |
I |
I colour diamonds show a bit of tint, which is more than grade H. In spite of its colour, this diamond is worth the money. These graded diamonds will show a yellowish and brownish tint or shade. It is also one of the highest demanded diamond shades in the industry. |
J |
J colour diamonds don’t show any colour when seen with the naked eye, but have a faint yellowish and brownish shade in the diamond, which can be easily seen under magnification and with the diamond tools.
In addition to this, some cuttings, like where the table is quite big, where there might be a chance of colour to be seen with the naked eye. From a budgetary point of view, these grade diamonds are valued for money. |
K |
K colour diamonds will show more colour than the higher grades in shades like I and J. The K colour grade diamond will have a “faint yellow or brown tint” diamond colour scale, which means they are visible even to the naked eye. |
L |
As the colour scale goes ahead or downwards in alphabets, the dark to darker shades will appear in the diamonds. The L colour diamond will have a light shade of yellow or brown colour that will be visible to the naked eye even in normal daylight. |
M |
M colour diamonds will have a more yellowish or brownish shade as compared to K & L grade diamonds. And more importantly, M colour diamonds offer fantastic value for money when compared to all higher graded diamond colours. |
N-R |
A diamond that comes from the range of N to R will show more shades or noticeable shades to the naked eye. However, these diamonds are sold at much lower prices. |
S-Z |
The colour grade diamonds from S-Z come in the darkest shades of yellow or brown. In spite of its shade, the demand for these diamonds is quite high. |
Conclusion
However, there is no exact solution for which colour grade diamond is best and which diamond to take, as it will totally depend on the buyer, like what quality, cut, and most importantly, what budget he/she has planned to spend on diamonds or diamond jewellery.
The top quality is known to be a colourless diamond, which represents the top-quality stones, and which are quite expensive. The colour grades G, H, and I are said to be the best pocket saver diamonds if there is a budget constraint. Therefore, understanding and choosing yourself, according to your needs and budget.
