{"id":85,"date":"2010-03-22T01:33:53","date_gmt":"2010-03-22T05:33:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/advisor.yenmedia.ca\/2010\/03\/22\/color\/"},"modified":"2024-01-23T12:21:48","modified_gmt":"2024-01-23T16:21:48","slug":"color-grade","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/diamondadvisor.ca\/diamond-education\/color-grade\/","title":{"rendered":"Diamond Color Grade"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/span>Diamond Color Grading<\/span><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text]Diamonds come in lots of colors but are actually graded for the absence of color.\u00a0 The lesser the color, the better the color grade and the higher price a diamond can command.\u00a0 Learn about the different color grades and which grade you should buy.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Diamonds Fall into Color Categories<\/h3>\n

As diamonds can exhibit a range of color, they are divided into 5 general categories for easier classification.\u00a0 These categories range from “Colorless” to “Light Yellow”.\u00a0 Our focus is on the first two categories as those are the most popular with online retailers<\/a>.\u00a0 These categories are colorless<\/strong> and near colorless<\/strong>.\u00a0 Each category, in turn, is made up of a series of color grades represented by a lettering system from D to Z.\u00a0 The letter represents the amount of color present in each diamond when graded by a gemologist.<\/p>\n

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\"diamond<\/h3>\n

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As an example, a colorless diamond with D color grade<\/a> is the best grading value that can be obtained as the diamond is totally free from color.\u00a0 A diamond with a near colorless J color grade<\/a>, on the other hand, exhibits a small amount of color giving it a slightly warmth in tone.\u00a0 This difference in color, while almost imperceivable to the eye, translates into a very perceivable difference when it comes to price.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

How to Pick a Color Grade<\/h3>\n

When purchasing a diamond, the general rule of thumb is to buy a diamond with the least amount of color as your budget allows.\u00a0 This being said, there are several ways to save money – the first of which is buying towards the lower end of a color category.\u00a0 For example, buying this 0.80-Carat Round F color diamond ($2,843)<\/a> instead of this 0.80-Carat Round D color diamond ($3,196)<\/a> will knock a few hundred dollars off the price while still allowing you to confidently say the diamond is colorless.\u00a0 The second (and best) way to save money is to shop in the near colorless range.\u00a0 Because the difference between color categories is so small, it’s very difficult to tell a colorless diamond from a near colorless diamond.\u00a0 Here’s what we mean.\u00a0 Take a look at the two stones below.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1588644803052{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”48561″ img_size=”200×200″ alignment=”right” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/goto.bluenile.com\/RMZ5X” css=”.vc_custom_1588644775434{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”48560″ img_size=”200×200″ onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/goto.bluenile.com\/vJQN3″ css=”.vc_custom_1588644789242{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]One of these stones is an E color, Ideal Cut, VS1 Clarity, 0.80-Carat Round<\/a>\u00a0and the other is a J color, Ideal Cut, VS1 Clarity, 0.80-Carat Round<\/a>.\u00a0 The price difference between them is a little over $1000 USD.\u00a0 Can you tell which one is which?\u00a0 \u00a0In truth, most people who admire a diamond can’t tell the difference – especially given that fact that the diamond will be much much smaller than what’s on your screen (about 6.0 mm in size) AND not side by side with another diamond.\u00a0 For these two reason, buying in the near colorless range is a great choice![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row bg_type=”bg_color” bg_color_value=”rgba(0,0,0,0.04)”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

How Diamonds are Graded:<\/h3>\n

Diamonds are graded for color face down, against a white background. Graders are looking at the actual body tone (hue) of the stone and comparing it to a reference set of master stones graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The diamond is then assigned a letter grade as seen on the chart above. \u00a0The GIA grades color alphabetically from D (totally colorless) to Z (yellow). \u00a0Because the D-Z scale is continuous, the difference between grades is very small.\u00a0 Most diamonds used for jewelry purposes fall into the Near Colorless Category – G to J.\u00a0 Anything below J color should be avoided.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Colorless Diamonds (D-F)<\/h3>\n

Diamonds in the colorless range are the most valuable as they are the most rare in nature. Diamonds with D\/E color are completely colorless whereas F color diamonds show a minute trace of color, detectable only to a trained gemologist. To an average person, an F color diamond will look identical to a D color diamond.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our Recommendation<\/span><\/p>\n

Near Colorless Diamonds (G-J)<\/h3>\n

Like their counterpart, Near Colorless (or “face white”) diamonds appear colorless when viewed from the table (face up position). It is only when viewed from the pavilion (face down position) do these diamonds show a slight amount of color against a white background. The slight tint of color is masked by the brilliance when viewed through the table. As diamonds are mounted face up in a setting, a near colorless diamond will appear identical to a colorless diamond (to the untrained eye). Because of this, near colorless diamonds offer superb value for your money.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

How a Diamond’s Color Grade Affects its Price<\/h3>\n

As with all diamonds, the rarer the diamonds the higher the asking price for it. The same applies for diamond color. A diamond color grade of D is only awarded to rarer, totally colorless diamonds. As such, colorless diamonds are more expensive than light yellow diamonds.\u00a0 The further you move down the spectrum of color, the lower the asking price for the diamond.\u00a0 In order to make good use of your budget, we recommend selecting a diamond in the H-I color range (or J if going with yellow gold)<\/strong>.\u00a0 This gives you a stone which appears<\/em> colorless without having to pay extra for it being truly colorless.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1587097346943{margin-top: 75px !important;margin-bottom: 75px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Now that you got the theory, let’s look at some real examples” color=”peacoc” border_width=”2″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

These photos of real diamonds from Brian Gavin’s Signature Line<\/a> illustrate each color grade. Notice that the colorless and near colorless range appears identical (even when enlarged). This insight is the key to saving money.<\/div>\n
Click on any image to bring up the actual stone with available 360 view<\/a>.<\/em><\/div>\n

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Colorless Diamond Range (D – F)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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The high end of the color scale with diamonds exhibiting a clear, sometimes icy look with no absolutely no warmth. Diamonds at this end of the color scale cost the most.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”2068″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”http:\/\/www.briangavindiamonds.com\/diamonds\/diamond-details\/1.041-d-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104063263007″ css=”.vc_custom_1587095947778{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]

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D Color<\/h4><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”2067″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”http:\/\/www.briangavindiamonds.com\/diamonds\/diamond-details\/0.901-e-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104083536034″ css=”.vc_custom_1587095995769{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]
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E Color<\/h4><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”2066″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”http:\/\/www.briangavindiamonds.com\/diamonds\/diamond-details\/1.076-f-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104087405061″ css=”.vc_custom_1587096047390{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]
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F Color<\/h4><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1587097309067{margin-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
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Near Colorless Diamond Range (G – J)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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The first thing to notice here is that the difference between colorless (above) and near colorless (below) is imperceivable to an average person.\u00a0 From a cost perspective, the difference can be substantial.\u00a0 This is why “near colorless” is the range we recommend shoppers buy<\/strong> from. Shoppers can get a colorless looking stone while saving money which can be spent on other aspects of the diamond ring.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”2065″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”http:\/\/www.briangavindiamonds.com\/diamonds\/diamond-details\/0.912-g-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104086279024″ css=”.vc_custom_1587095665725{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]

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G Color<\/h4><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”2064″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”http:\/\/www.briangavindiamonds.com\/diamonds\/diamond-details\/0.903-h-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104059065053″ css=”.vc_custom_1587095693426{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]
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H Color<\/h4><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”2063″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”http:\/\/www.briangavindiamonds.com\/diamonds\/diamond-details\/1.033-j-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104087779008″ css=”.vc_custom_1587095703701{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]
<\/div>

J Color<\/h4><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

How Lighting and Photography Affect Color<\/h3>\n
In the real diamond images above, the E and H color diamonds appear the whitest despite being several color grades apart. This distortion is due to variance in photography lighting (as seen in the darker backdrop as well). This being said, as long as you are buying in the colorless or higher end of near colorless category, your diamond will appear bright and free of color.<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Colors Grades Carried by Online Diamond Retailers<\/h3>\n

When purchasing a diamond for an engagement ring, it’s important to note that many online retailers who hold themselves to a higher standard only carry “Colorless” or “Near Colorless” diamonds.\u00a0 Anything outside of these ranges may be carried but sold as “Fancy” colored diamonds.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Color<\/span> – A Variety of Choices<\/em><\/p>\n

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From colorless to yellow, a diamonds color <\/strong>refers to the grade assigned to indicate the color spectrum the stone falls within.<\/p>\n

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