Colourless and near-colourless diamonds are the most valuable.
The exception to this is fancy color diamonds, such as pinks and blues, which lie outside this colour range.
The scale begins with the letter D, representing colorless, and continues with increasing presence of yellow color to the letter Z.
Many of these color distinctions are so subtle that they can only be recognized by a professional under controlled lighting and using a master diamond sample set for comparison and accuracy.
These slight differences make a very big difference in diamond quality and price.
Depending on the stone’s size, a single increase in color grade can boost the value of a diamond by thousands of dollars per carat.
Natural diamonds also occur in shades of blue, green, yellow-orange, pink or red.
Known as ‘natural fancy colours’, these gems are extremely rare and valuable. They are graded according to the intensity of their colour.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
about
Diamond Color
Does diamond color matter?
The value of a diamond is determined (in part) by its absence of color.
Diamond color is significant: Most engagement rings use near-colorless diamonds without traces of yellow or brown. All else being equal, the more colorless a diamond is, the rarer it is, and its price reflects this rarity.
Does diamond color affect sparkle?
Many people believe that a colorless diamond is more sparkling, although color has nothing to do with brilliance (that’s cut). However, it is still an important factor since it contributes to the diamond’s overall beauty.
What diamond color has the best value?
The best value of diamonds is represented by near-colourless diamonds. Colour G is only one step below total colourlessness, so it looks completely colourless. H colour is another good ‘almost colourless’ option and is the last colour grade where yellow or brown is not evident when viewed from the top.
Which diamond color is the most expensive?
Concerning white diamonds, the most expensive diamond color grade is D.
The impact that D color makes in the look of your diamond is more subtle than the cut quality or carat weight. D color diamonds are expensive because they are rare, not because they are more attractive than other colorless diamonds.