Picture the situation where you are shopping for your engagement ring and the jeweler presents you with two different diamonds that are significantly different in price. You can’t quite put your finger on whether there is a visible difference in the diamonds and you wish that you knew more about diamonds so that you can make an educated choice. The incredible difference in prices can be due to the diamond color, or lack of color as a matter of fact.
Many times, the naked eye can not identify the color distinctions that diamonds have, but they play a major role when determining the pricing and quality of the diamond.
What is the diamond color grading scale?
The diamond color grading scale is a method used to determine the degree of colorlessness in a stone. The scale measures the stones on a letter scale from D to Z.
What does the color grading scale mean?
A diamond with a color grade of D is extremely rare. This is a type of diamond that is going to cost a premium and is essentially colorless. These diamonds are of the highest quality and resemble perfectly formed ice when you look at them. Diamonds that are graded either E or F are also of very high quality and considered to be colorless but they are not graded as high as a D diamond would be. D-F is an excellent quality range to buy from if you are looking for something very special.
Diamonds that are almost colorless are graded at either G, H, I, or J. While these diamonds are almost colorless, they are not as colorless as diamonds graded D would be. They are the perfect option for those on a budget but who are still wanting to get a high-quality piece.
Stones with a faint color in them are going to be the most affordable pieces. These are usually graded K.
What to look for when determining diamond color
We already know that diamond color will affect the pricing of your diamond, but what else will the diamond color affect? The color grading might affect the size of your diamond because the color is more visible in diamonds that are larger. For example, if you buy a 1-carat diamond that is a K grade for color, you might easily notice that it isn’t as colorless as a smaller diamond graded K for color.
Keep the sizing and color grades in mind and try to find a good balance between the two to get a good quality diamond within your budget. You might want to compromise size for a more colorless diamond.