The Essential 4C's
Color grading is a lack of colour in a diamond, the whitest grade being D, and this is D for the most desirable.
However, even experts sometimes can’t tell the difference between some clarity grades, so unless what the letter on the certificate says is important to you, you can often get away with lower grades.
For white or colourless diamonds (as opposed to coloured diamonds), the diamond industry has adopted an alphabetical colour scale from D to Z, with D as the highest grade. As you go down the scale, the diamond begins to develop a yellow or brown hue.
Diamond experts determine colour by comparing a diamond to a master set of diamonds of different colours. Without comparing diamonds side by side, it is very difficult to tell the difference between a D and a G.
Completely colourless diamonds (such as D and E) are much rarer than others, which is why they come with a higher price. The key question is always where to choose the colour of a diamond – how far can you compromise the colour before the diamond is too coloured? The answer to this question is relative to your budget and quality expectations.
For colourless diamonds, the differences between D and G are barely noticeable, but can provide 20 to 40% better value. D is generally more for the diamond investor or connoisseur.
Before the GIA universalized the D to Z colour grading scale, there was no clear standard that defined what a diamond colour was. A variety of other systems were freely used, from A, B and C (used without clear definition), to Arabic numerals (0, 1, 2, 3) and Roman (I, II, III), to descriptive terms such as “gem blue” or “blue white” are notorious for misinterpretation. So the creators of the GIA Color Scale wanted to start anew, without any association with previous systems. Thus, the GIA scale begins with the letter D. Very few people still cling to other grading systems, and no other system has the clarity and universal acceptance of the GIA scale.
D is the highest colour grade assigned to a diamond, indicating that the stone is completely colourless (white); as such, they are extremely rare and command the highest prices.
The colour difference between a D and an E graded stone is usually only visible to an expert gemologist using master stones as a comparison, although E graded stones are slightly cheaper.
The difference in colour between an E and an F is only visible to an expert gemologist using master stones as a comparison. F grades are the lowest and therefore least expensive of the premium colours.
Colour G
Diamonds graded G are almost colourless and a slight difference in colour becomes noticeable only when compared to diamonds graded D or E. G stones appear colourless especially once set and therefore offer excellent value for money.
H colour diamonds are close to colourless diamonds that still appear completely white or colourless unless compared side by side with higher coloured stones. H colour is generally considered the benchmark between colourless diamonds and lightly coloured diamonds.
I-coloured diamonds are very lightly coloured diamonds, however, once set in jewellery, these stones can appear colourless. If you want to maximise your budget, then an I coloured diamond offers excellent value for money.
J coloured diamonds are very lightly tinted diamonds, however, once set in jewellery, especially yellow gold, it is harder to see the slight yellow tint that the J grade produces.
K coloured diamonds are slightly tinted diamonds, however, once set in jewellery, especially yellow gold, it is harder to see the slight yellow tint that the K grade produces.
LV’57Diamonds currently only offers stones in the upper D-K range as these are the only grades we recommend, however lower clarity grades may be available on special request.
Our LV’57Diamonds tip
1. For colourless diamonds, the differences between D and G are barely noticeable, but can provide 20 to 40% better value. D colour is generally more for the diamond investor or connoisseur who wants D quality.
2. H-graded diamonds are often considered between the premium colourless and coloured diamonds, and therefore offer excellent value without any visible yellow or brown tinge unless compared side-by-side with whiter diamond.
3. The I and J colours will generally be white top art, but you will be able to detect slight yellow or brown tints when viewed from multiple angles. LV’57Diamonds recommends that you stick to GIA certificates for these colour grades only, as any other certificate in this range is likely to fall short of your colour expectations.
4. K and L are acceptable on a GIA certificate in terms of shade, if that major compromise is necessary to achieve size on a budget. We at LV’57Diamonds strongly recommend these diamonds in yellow or rose gold jewellery to make the diamond appear less nuanced.