Diamond Color Scale Explained: How to Choose the Perfect Shade

Diamonds have been associated with luxury, wealth, and status for the longest of time. They come in different shapes and sizes and are graded on a scale of D to Z. While we know shopping for a precious stone like this can get quite confusing as to which color grade might be the best and how it will affect the diamond. A clear diamond is most often seen in engagement rings and other fine jewelry. While we know the diamond color scale might feel overwhelming at first, we are sure once you know how the diamond scale works, selecting the right diamond for your jewelry will become fairly easy. 

In this article, we will help you understand everything you need to know about diamond color scale and how you can select the best diamond that is simply stunning. With that being said, let us dive into this article about diamond color scale.

Table of Content

• What is a Diamond Color Scale?
• Understanding the Diamond Scale
• How to Select the Right Diamond?
• FAQs

What is a Diamond Color Scale?

The diamond color scale is a chart, which helps buyers and gemologists identify the presence of color in the diamond. The scale ranges from D to Z, with diamonds graded ‘D’ being colorless and the ones that are graded ‘Z’ have a yellow or brown tint that is clearly visible to the naked eye. To simply explain, a diamond color scale is a chart that is used to grade the presence of any colored tints within the diamond. GIA has set some industry standards that are to be followed while grading the diamonds. You can refer to the chart below to understand the color chart for diamond grade. 

Understanding the Diamond Scale

Welcome to this section; let’s call it ‘Diamond Scale 101’. By now, we are sure you are aware of the fact that diamonds are graded on the scale of D to Z. In this scale, D is graded as the highest color of diamond, where you get an ice-like, pristine diamond. The diamonds that are graded as Z on this color scale are ranked as lowest in terms of color and not quality. The diamonds with a Z color grade are known to have heavy yellow or brown tints. 

At Friendly Diamonds, all our available diamonds are graded from D to M. Here is a breakdown of the color grade:

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Diamond Grade D to F

The diamonds that are graded in the range of D to F are known as colorless diamonds, or they might have tiny traces of color, which can be identified by a trained gemologist. 

Diamond Grade G to J

The diamonds that are graded in the range of G to J have minor traces of color that are not visible to the naked eye but can be identified by a trained gemologist. Even with a slight tint, these diamonds sparkle brilliantly, offering a striking balance between the other C’s of the diamond. 

Diamond Grade K to M

The diamonds that are graded in the range of K to M often have a faint but visible yellow or brown tint. The presence of this color may affect the sparkle of the diamond while slightly dulling it. 

How to Select the Right Diamond?

If you are aware of the 4 C’s of diamonds, selecting the right diamond or even diamond jewelry becomes fairly easy. For example, if you were to ask us how to select the ideal round diamond for your halo engagement ring or to create your own pendant, we would simply ask you to follow the steps mentioned below.

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Check the 4 C’s

Selecting a beautiful lab diamond for your jewelry comes down to selecting the 4 C’s of a diamond, which include cut, color, clarity, and carat. To get a thorough breakdown of the 4 C’s of a diamond, you can read our article on: The 4 C’s Of Eco-Friendly Lab Grown Diamonds.

Choose the Diamond Shape

The diamond shape that you choose for your diamond jewelry can be seen as a launching point for the design. Every diamond shape is distinct and the choice boils down to your personal preference. While round diamonds are always in style and being the most popular choice for engagement rings, every now and then we see couples going with fancy diamond shapes like oval, marquise, or even radiant cut diamonds. 

Compare with Similar Diamonds

Once you have a fair vision of which diamond shape suits the best for you and your partner, we suggest you compare different diamonds with similar specifications. To get a detailed explanation of it, we suggest you read our guide on: Different Diamond Shapes For Designing a Ring.

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FAQs

What is the best color for a diamond?

The diamonds that are graded from E to H give the best value when you are making a diamond purchase. When you select a diamond that falls under this range, you get a diamond that is of higher grade while you stay under your desired budget while not compromising on the quality. 

Which diamond color offers the most sparkle?

Colorless diamonds that are graded D on the diamond color scale offer the sparkliest diamond. These diamonds offer exceptional fire and brilliance while reflecting the light perfectly. But here is the catch: you can select any diamond ranging from D to H and you will get a similar light reflection. 

What diamond color is purchased the most?

The diamonds ranging from E to H are often seen as the most popular option for lab diamond jewelry. While they might have some color tints present in them that are not visible to the naked eye. 

Let us quickly run you down on what we have covered in this article. We started with understanding what a diamond color scale is and how diamonds are graded. After that, we helped you guys understand how you can select the right diamond that fits your style and budget. There you have it, your guide on the diamond color scale. If you need some expert advice on how you can select the right diamond based on the 4 C's, you can book an online consultation with our experts; we are sure they will be happy to guide you with your purchase. 

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