Decoding Diamond Colors: Why D Color Diamonds Aren’t Always the Best Choice

How Diamond Color Is Rated

Diamonds are assessed on a D-to-Z scale: D through F are classified as colorless; G through L as “near colorless”; and M through Z diamonds exhibit traces of color.

Artful Bracelets wants you to shop with confidence. Hence, we offer only diamonds from D to L grades. We can’t endorse lower color grades because they lack the brilliance that will make you smile every time you wear your ring.

Best Diamond Color by GIA Standards

This color range is standardized by the Gemological Institute of America. Each diamond comes with a GIA certificate detailing its color grade and other vital characteristics, such as carat size and measurements.

According to GIA standards, the “best” diamond color is D. (Learn more about D color diamonds here). D color diamonds are akin to IF or FL grade diamonds regarding clarity; they are exceptionally rare and their price reflects this.

However, the “best” diamond color might not be the best for your budget.

Best Diamond Color for Value

At Artful Bracelets, we emphasize paying for what you can visibly appreciate.

Truthfully, the naked eye cannot distinguish between several color grades. You won’t be inspecting your engagement ring under grading conditions and magnification, and even with specialized gemologist tools, differences among some grades are scarcely noticeable. For instance, the difference between D, E, and F colors is minimal. On an electronic colorimeter, the score difference between D and F would range from 0.00 to 1.49.

Even G color diamonds, the most popular choice for engagement rings, are considered excellent — they exhibit minor traces of color identifiable only by professionals. Although labeled “near colorless,” G color diamonds are best described as slightly warm. This subtle warmth is imperceptible unless placed next to a truly colorless (and significantly more expensive) diamond.

Therefore, the best diamond color for your money is the lowest grade that appears white to your eye. Colors such as G, H, and I can be ideal choices. Additionally, there are tricks to make stones appear whiter — like pairing a warm stone with a yellow gold or rose gold setting — essentially giving you a higher diamond grade without the higher price tag.

And if you’re seeking a white stone on a budget, consider understanding fluorescence. Although there’s a misconception that fluorescence is always negative, it usually doesn’t affect the stone’s sparkle. In fact, fluorescence can make stones in lower color grades appear one grade whiter. Have more questions? Our expert gemologists, experienced with any budget, can answer your queries and help you find the perfect stone and setting. Contact one today.

Lab Diamond Color & Certification

A diamond’s color grade is a crucial factor in stone selection. Depending on the setting, cut, carat, shape, and metal, the color grade can be equally important. Lab-grown diamonds, like natural ones, are certified and graded for color. With an IGI certificate detailing the four C’s, lab-grown diamonds are evaluated just as earth-mined diamonds are. Thus, the differences in terms of cut, clarity, color, and carat are negligible. While the D-to-Z color scale applies to both mined and lab-grown diamonds, Artful Bracelets uses only the highest quality, best-colored diamonds, especially for you.

For lab-grown diamonds, lower color equates to better grading. So, a G color natural and a G color lab-grown diamond appear the same and are graded on the same criteria; the only difference is their creation process. Most couples opt for G, H, or I color grades, which are near colorless. Carefully review the IGI certificate for lab-created diamonds of interest. Our certified gemologists can review and provide feedback on the best color for your budget. Note that in brilliant cut diamonds, color is better obscured by the facets, whereas in step-cut diamonds like the emerald, the color is more visible.

Since lab diamonds are generally 30-40% less expensive than natural diamonds, you can use your budget to afford a higher color grade than initially anticipated. Alternatively, you can keep the color grade constant and choose a better cut, higher carat, or higher clarity. Reach out today for more guidance on selecting a color grade for your center diamond.