Unless you’re extremely familiar with diamonds, not every luxurious gem comes with a colorless hue. In fact, there are several diamond colors that range from the typical colorless sparkle to a darker, yellowish-gold hue. 

Colorless diamonds are often the most sought-after because of their purity and how valuable this hue is deemed. But, with this value comes the usual high prices. Unless you know the secret hack to diamond grading (that sometimes gems with color actually appear colorless), you can’t expect to buy an exquisite piece of jewelry for less. 

Wondering what color diamond you should buy? In this guide, we’re going over how diamond color affects value and pricing so you can find the perfect hue for your bedazzling collection. 

Understanding the Diamond Color Scale

Before you can select the best diamond color, you need to understand how each diamond is graded on the color scale. 

Color one part of the 4Cs that each diamond is assessed with to determine the value of the gemstone. Other than color, each diamond is observed by its carat weight, clarity, and cut.

The GIA Color Grading System

Diamond grading is vitally important for each piece of jewelry since it relates to the appearance and value of the gemstone. The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) created a diamond color chart that breaks down the different hues diamond may have. 

From Colorless to Light: What Each Grade Means

In the GIA diamond color scale, you’ll notice that the grades are measured from letters D to Z. Here’s a breakdown of the color chart that determines how colorful a diamond is:

Using this scale, you will be able to indicate where a diamond falls in terms of color when viewed under controlled lighting. The naked eye sometimes can’t distinguish how colorful or clear a diamond truly is, which is why some diamonds lower on the color chart can pass visually as a clearer gem.

How Diamond Color Affects Brilliance and Value

Diamond clarity greatly affects the value of each gem since the clearer a diamond is, the purer and rare it’s deemed. That’s why you’ll notice diamonds which fall in the letters of D-F on the color chart are higher in price than those in zones N-R or S-Z. 

Colorless diamonds have a brilliance that are amplified when light reflects on the surface, which is where they get their exuberant sparkle and shine. Diamonds with darker color have a harder time reflecting light or sparkle because of the tint, so they aren’t seen as valuable as their colorless counterparts. 

How Diamonds Are Graded

Each diamond is graded with the use of professional equipment to determine its exact value and quality. The color scale is used in the grading system along with the other 3Cs: cut, carat, and clarity by a gemologist. 

The Professional Grading Process

Most gemologists start with weighing the diamond to find the carats before observing the cut of the diamond. A diamond’s cut indicates how well the facets allow light to filter through. Similar to colors, there is a cut scale a gemologist will refer to to determine how excellent or poor the cut is. 

Next gemologists will study the color before coming to clarity. Diamond clarity refers to how pure the diamond is by how little or abundance of internal flaws the gemstone has. A diamond’s clarity is checked with a chart that follows a 10-point scale to determine how flawed or flawless a diamond is. 

Controlled Lighting and Expert Assessment

In order for a diamond to have a true assessment, experts need to observe each gem under controlled lighting. Certain lightning conditions, like the ones professionals use to grade diamonds, provide more accurate details than standard, everyday light. 

Most jewelers use fluorescent lighting with their diamond lying on a neutral background to get a true sense of the gem’s color and clarity. This helps jewelers immensely for seeing how the gemstone will react in certain environments in terms of light performance.  

Color Grading Tools and Techniques

There are several tools gemologists use to measure and grade each diamond. One of those is called a loupe (magnifying glass) to observe the diamond's features and colors. Specialized color sources are also used to identify where a diamond truly falls on the color scale, but some gemologists may also use master stones (established diamonds) to refer to for color. To find the diamond’s carat weight, a device called a diamond gauge is predominantly used to measure the gem in millimeters. 

Understanding Diamond Certificates

Want to know how valuable your diamond is? If you didn’t get a certificate from your jeweler, you can request one or send your diamond off to a specialized laboratory. Diamond certificates break down all the information we’ve covered in this guide after a gemologist inspects your gem. 

You will receive a personalized report stating detailed information on your diamond’s 4Cs, the inclusions of any flaws, the measurements of the diamond, the diamond’s symmetry, and fluorescence. 

What Color and Clarity Diamond Should I Buy?

Knowing the color affects the value of a diamond, you might be asking yourself, “What color diamond should I buy?” Well, the answer isn’t a simple one! Here are a few ways you can help find the best diamond color for your jewelry box and budget. 

Balancing Color Grade with Your Budget

Let’s be honest: everyone wants a flawless diamond ring with the purest color and 0 flaws, but not everyone’s budget can accommodate this investment piece. But that doesn’t mean options aren’t available that are close to your tastes!

Since the diamond color chart ranges greatly, consider finding a shade as light or dark as you want your gem that matches your budget. While a truly colorless and flawless diamond might be unattainable at the moment, a slightly colored diamond with minimal flaws might be the more budget-friendly option. 

Ideal Color Grades for Different Jewelry Pieces

Another aspect to consider is the type of jewelry you’re wanting and the occasion for wearing it. Colorless gems are most preferred for diamond rings and diamond necklaces whereas diamond rings, earrings, and bracelets are more forgiving with darker diamonds to enhance the design.  

The Relationship Between Color and Clarity

As you’re shopping and trying on exquisite diamond pieces, it’s important to note the relationship between color and clarity of each diamond since both greatly affect the appearance. The more colorless a diamond is, the brighter and purer it will look. The less internal flaws a diamond has, the more flashy and fluorescent the gem will be to make your color sparkle. 

Diamond Color Considerations for Different Settings

The color of your diamond isn’t the only consideration for your piece of jewelry; the setting is just as important. A diamond setting is the metal portion used to secure the gemstone in place, and it can come in a variety of colors that affect the shade of your diamond. 

Solitaire Settings and Color Visibility

Solitaire settings are classic styles that help to enhance the color of your diamond by making it the only gemstone of focus. Your diamond is usually the only diamond on solitaire settings, and the color is enhanced even more if it’s secured in place with prongs, like the ones on our 14k Round Promise Ring. That’s because prongs allow more light to pass through your diamond while round solitaire settings like this bezel 14k Gold Round Solitaire Ring wraps around the entire gemstone to make it appear dimmer. 

Halo Settings: How They Influence Color Perception

Halo settings, like the one on this 1.25 ctw 14K Halo Setting Round Diamond Ring, are one of the best to enhance the beauty and color of your diamond while making it look more dramatic. These settings cushion your center diamond with smaller diamonds or other gemstones to amplify the hues and also make your diamond look larger! 

Side Stones and Color Matching

To give your diamond jewelry more opulence and color, look no further than pieces with colorful gemstones or side stones. Side stones, like the ones on our 14K Gold Classic Trio Necklace and 14K Gold Three Stone Ring enhance the overall design of your piece by making your diamonds appear larger and more radiant. 

Making the Right Diamond Color Choice

With so many diamond colors and clarity choices available, it can feel overwhelming to make the right pick. Here are a few of our expert recommendations to find the best diamond color and clarity for your collection. 

Expert Tips from Ferko's Gemologists

Common Misconceptions About Diamond Color

There are several misconceptions people have about diamond color that we’re excited to debunk. The first is that all diamonds are colorless. Some diamonds do have color and while we primarily discussed the yellow-brown tint colored diamonds have, there are other hues you can find from pink to blue and even black!

Another popular misconception is that colorless diamonds are the better pick. While it’s true that clearer diamonds are the most rare, that doesn’t mean they’re the absolute best gem on the market. All diamonds are graded with the 4Cs, which means the cut, clarity, and carat weight are just as important as the color.

Lastly, we want to debunk the myth that lab-grown diamonds can’t be made with the same color options as natural diamonds. If there's a specific color you want a custom diamond to be, most labs can make the hue that matches your preference. 

Questions to Ask When Selecting Your Diamond

Shopping for diamonds is a luxury that you should treasure by making sure you select the best diamond possible, apart from its color. There are several questions you should ask your jeweler when shopping around so you take home a gem that’s meaningful to you. 

Here are the top questions to ask your jeweler every time you shop for diamonds:

• What is the diamond’s grading report?

• What are the details on the diamond’s 4Cs?

• Can I see a selection of diamonds within the color grade to compare differences?

• Does this diamond have any blemishes? If so, can I see them under special lighting?