COLOR

The most important thing to remember about color in diamonds is that the less color a diamond has, the more valuable it is, all other circumstances being equal. Diamonds appear in nature in a variety of colors, ranging from entirely colorless (the most desirable attribute) to somewhat yellow. Diamond color grading is based on the alphabet letters D through Z.

Diamond Color Grade


The right diamond can be chosen by understanding what the various diamond colors symbolize. It's worth noting that the bulk of gem-quality diamond color ratings are based on a lack of hue. A diamond with the colorlessness of a drop of colorless water and the structural perfection of a diamond is more valuable.

The D to Z diamond color-grading technique compares a stone to master stones with established color values while subjecting it to certain lighting and viewing conditions in order to determine its level of colorlessness.

Diamond Color Grade Chart

Diamond clarity is a qualitative metric that grades the visual appearance of each diamond. Diamond clarity is a measure of the purity and rarity of the stone, graded by the visibility of these characteristics under 10-power magnification.

How Does Diamond Color Affect Price?

The more colorless the diamond, the more uncommon and expensive it is. However, this is nearly impossible to accomplish with the naked eye. Gemologists grade white diamonds using the Diamond Color Scale. This is a scale from D to Z, implying that white diamonds have 17 potential color grades.


Diamonds in the D category are the most pure and colorless. These are the most difficult to find in nature, making them the rarest and hence most desirable. This indicates that they are the most valuable gems. Diamonds of the Z group have a yellow tinge.

Diamond Color Affecting Price: Differences in color dramatically af­fect diamond value. Even slightest hint of color can make a dramatic difference in value.