The Second "C": COLOR

What Diamond “Color” Means And Why There’s A Difference Between a Yellow “Colorless” Diamond & a Natural “Yellow” Diamond

Diamonds occur naturally in an enormous range of colors, including blue, red, green, yellow, lavender, pink, brown, and black. These stones are called “fancy” colored diamonds and should not be confused with the most common and most popular colorless diamond.

Colorless diamonds are in the “white” family of diamonds and the most sought after (and most expensive) are the stones that show no hint of body color at all. These diamonds are graded D, E, or F on the GIA color scale and are considered the most beautiful stones. These fine white diamonds, if also of a very high Clarity (VS or better) boast a brilliance (often referred to as “fire”) that, ironically, sparkles with all the colors of the rainbow!

Colorless diamonds are the diamonds used for engagement rings, in wedding rings, in diamond earring and pendants, and as accent stones in gemstone jewelry. The following chart explains the color differences within the white category, and should be helpful when evaluating the differences between several diamonds.

Bear in mind that compromises must often be made when purchasing a diamond and in many cases, a consumer will opt for a lower color in order to be able to purchase a larger stone at a desired price.