Diamond Color

Grown deep within the earth under varying conditions, many diamonds contain varying amounts of other elements, each of which affects a diamond's color in a different way. For example, a white diamond that contains nitrogen may have a yellow tint.

The Gemological Institute of America grades diamonds on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light color). All diamonds that fall on this scale are considered white, even if they do show a degree of coloration. Diamonds with color that exceeds Z are called "fancy" colored diamonds, which are highly prized and graded on a separate scale.

D (Colorless)

Any traces of color in D, E, and F diamonds can only be detected by an expert gemologist.
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E (Colorless)

Any traces of color in D, E, and F diamonds can only be detected by an expert gemologist.
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F (Colorless)

Any traces of color in D, E, and F diamonds can only be detected by an expert gemologist.
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G (Near Colorless)

Color in G and H diamonds is hard to detect unless compared to a higher grade.
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H (Near Colorless)

Color in G and H diamonds is hard to detect unless compared to a higher grade.
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I (Near Colorless)

Diamonds of I and J grades contain slight traces of color that are hard to detect with the naked eye.
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J (Near Colorless)

Diamonds of I and J grades contain slight traces of color that are hard to detect with the naked eye.
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K-M (Faint Color)

Diamonds in the K-M range contain color that is easier to detect with the naked eye.
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N-R (Very Light Color)

Diamonds in the N-R range have a visible yellow or brown tint, but are much less expensive.
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S-Z (Light Color)

Diamonds in the S-Z range have obvious color that approaches that of fancy diamonds.
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