Diamond Color Chart: GIA D-to-Z Scale Guide for Buyers

Though the diamond cut is what reveals the full beauty of a diamond, its color also affects its character and value. Using a diamond color chart can help you understand the color of a diamond and where it ranks in valuation.

Many consumers think that all diamonds are colorless; however, in reality, they come in a wide range of colors. But in white diamonds, the differences are very subtle.

Diamond color is influenced by minute amounts of trace elements other than carbon that were present when the stone was being formed over thousands of years, deep in the earth. It’s also influenced by the tone and saturation of color, and the intensity of a diamond’s brilliance, which results in the depth of color.

In this guide, we’ll make the diamond color chart easy to understand so you can make an informed purchase.

What Is Diamond Color?

Diamond color describes how much unwanted color is visible in a white diamond. In a white diamond, the color grade should be as close to ‘colorless’ as possible to prevent yellow or brown coloration that ruins the perfect clarity.

There are also ‘fancy’ color diamonds, such as red and purple. However, these are graded differently.

Color is one of the 4 C’s (color, clarity, cut, and carat) that are used to determine diamond quality and value.

Understanding the GIA Diamond Color Scale

The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) color scale is widely recognised as the go-to industry scale to determine color quality.

In white diamonds, the scale ranges from D to Z, with five subcategories: colorless, near colorless, faint, very light, and light. If the color is more intense than Z, then it is classified as a ‘fancy color’, which has a different grading system.

Here's a breakdown of the GIA diamond color scale:

Colorless: D, E, F
Near Colorless: G, H, I, J
Faint: K, L, M
Very Light: N, O, P, Q, R
Light: S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

Visualizing the Differences in Diamond Color Grades

To determine the color grading, trained graders will use a set of diamonds with known colors (called ‘master stones’) to compare the difference. In many cases, the difference in color between close grades can be very hard to tell with the untrained eye, but it can still significantly affect the price.

Many people wonder if you can actually see the difference. The answer is yes, but only if you stop to study it, and there is a significant gap between each color grade. For example, you may notice the slight difference between an E graded diamond here and an N diamond here (which is slightly more yellow, yet still very impressive).

Within the same color range, diamonds can differ slightly. As diamonds become larger, their color becomes more noticeable. Small diamonds, commonly known as melee, are harder to color grade and are often represented within a color range, e.g., D-F. To know what color grade you are comfortable with, go and look at some diamonds side by side.

Remember to compare GIA or AGS-graded diamonds so that you can be sure of the color you are seeing. Diamonds that have been color graded by other diamond laboratories may not have been as accurately graded. Another factor that can influence perceived color is fluorescence. Fluorescence is the emission of visible light by the diamond when it is exposed to ultraviolet radiation. This is an innate property of the rough diamond before it has been cut and polished.

Colorless Diamonds (D-F)

‘Colorless’ diamonds are the most sought-after grades, with a pure, white color. D, in particular, is prized by luxury buyers, with E and F only displaying microscopic color traces. To the naked eye, you won’t see any color at all.

Colorless diamonds command a pricing premium due to their rarity and beauty when combined with platinum or white gold settings.

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Near Colorless Diamonds (G-J)

‘Near Colorless’ diamonds appear white to the naked eye, but cost less than the higher colorless grade. G and H are very popular choices for engagement rings, offering excellent value in platinum or white gold.

As you move towards I and J, warmer tones may start to be present, which suits yellow or rose gold settings too. In many cases, there is no need to spend more on colorless diamonds instead of those in this grade.

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Faint to Light Color Diamonds (K-Z)

In the color grading scales of ‘Faint’ to ‘Light’, color begins to become noticeable to the naked eye on an increasing scale. For most buyers, faint and very light coloring is more than good enough. But, further down is where sacrifices are made for the budget. However, warmer coloration can blend wonderfully with yellow or rose gold settings, and the range is a go-to for collectors who prefer that characterful warmth.

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Fancy Colored Diamonds (Beyond Z)

Fancy color diamonds are those where color becomes a genuine quality, rather than something you’d ideally like to avoid - such as red, green, pink, yellow, and blue.

Fancy color diamonds are a genuine wonder of nature, having formed from elemental or structural conditions. So, they’re extremely rare and can have eye-watering prices. However, it’s understandable. They are huge statement pieces for collectors and jewellery lovers. Remember the blue ‘Heart of the Ocean’ diamond in Titanic? That was a fancy diamond.

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Diamond Colors

Color	Description
White Diamonds (colorless)	Value is determined by how close to truly colorless they are.
Yellow Diamonds	Coloration caused by nitrogen presence during formation.
Brown Diamonds	Shades vary from champagne to deep cognac, caused by trace elements and natural environments.
Pink Diamonds	Color is caused by unique distortions in the crystal lattice, caused by extreme pressure during formation.
Red	The rarest of all diamonds, caused by extreme crystal lattice distortions during formation.
Blue Diamonds	Trace amounts of boron within the structure absorb red light and reflect blue.
Green Diamonds	Color is gathered from natural radiation exposure over millions of years, altering the crystal lattice to reflect green. Evenly colored green diamonds are extremely rare.
Purple Diamonds	Prized for their striking hues, caused by structural irregularities and trace elements.
Orange Diamonds	Varies between soft peach tones and intense fire hues, caused by nitrogen impurities and lattice distortions.
Black Diamonds	Also referred to as 'Carbonado', they are praised for their dark, opaque appearance caused by graphite and other minerals.
Violet Diamonds	Very rare violet diamonds are caused by trace elements and structural distortions. They can be enhanced via radiation treatment.
Gray Diamonds	Considered subtle and sophisticated, their coloration is caused by structural defects and trace elements.
Chameleon Diamonds	It can change color between yellow and green when exposed to heat or light.

Matching Diamond Colors in Multi-Stone Rings

Do side stones need to match the center stone?

Ideally, yes. But it’s not always required. Fancy-colored or high contrast diamonds can be hard to find exact matches with, and sometimes, variety is great.

When does mismatched color become noticeable?

Mismatched colors become unattractive when the ring has a clear, colorless diamond (D-F range) and is placed near stones with a variation in hue or tint - such as in a halo or channel setting.

3-Ston and Halo Setting Pro Tips

3 Stone Rings:

We generally advise you to keep the side stones within one or two color grades of the center stone. This way, you’ll get a balanced look, without taking the attention away from the main diamond.

Halo Settings:

Slight variations are generally more forgiving in smaller diamonds. Near-colorless stones for the halo will enhance the brilliance.

Diamond Color FAQs:

What do the letters mean on the diamond color scale?

The letters refer to the grades given by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). D–F are colorless; G–J are near-colorless; K–M have a faint tint; N–Z show increasing visible color. After Z, the grading is separated for ‘fancy’ colors.

Is a G color diamond good enough?

Yes, G (near-colorless) diamonds offer great value. They will appear white to the naked eye and save you money compared to higher-grade diamonds.

How much difference is there between D and H color diamonds?

The visual difference with the naked eye is very minimal. While D is completely colorless, H will have a very faint warmth. Once set in a ring, most people can’t see any difference. The price difference, however, will be evident.

What color diamond looks best in yellow gold?

Yellow gold settings work best with near colorless stones (I-K), masking the tint and complementing the warmth of the setting.

How far down the diamond color scale can you go before it starts to look yellow?

You’ll start to notice a faint tint around K-M. After that, you’ll see visible hues after N.

Do I need a colorless diamond?

No. Unless you are a collector seeking the finest stones, you don’t need a colorless diamond. Near-colorless will give the same impression with the naked eye, while lower quality color grades can still look stunning even with a slight tint.

Which diamond color grade is considered the best?

D (the true colorless) is the best, technically. But, if we want to factor in the best value for money, you could argue diamonds found between grades G and H.

What's the most popular diamond color grade people choose?

Most people go for near-colorless grades (G-J) for the combination of value and beauty.

Find Your Dream Diamond from Brian Gavin Diamonds

Now that you understand the difference in diamond color grades, we welcome you to browse our store to find a diamond that fits your budget with a color quality that suits your vision. Our diamond selections include white diamonds in a wide variety of grades and also a selection of stunning fancy diamonds. All of these can be set in a custom ring design.

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in contact with us today. We will be happy to help.

Diamond Color Chart: The Guide to Diamond Color