Diamonds are graded on a scale that goes from “colorless” to “light yellow or brown.” But colorless diamonds aren’t necessarily the best - even if “colorless” is the best grade available.

Why? Because many colored diamonds appear colorless, especially when set in rose or yellow gold. Choosing them can mean saving lots of money. The trick is knowing when to go for tinted diamonds - and when to avoid them.

What exactly is diamond color?

Diamond colors range from “strongly tinted” to “100% transparent” or colorless.

Colorless diamonds are considered best.

Nearly colorless diamonds follow close behind and are also considered high quality.

Colored diamonds have a strong tint, usually yellow, and are usually less desirable.

Color is graded on a scale from D, which is colorless, all the way down to Z, which is yellow to brown. All the grades in between cover the wide range of colors, from clear to yellowish. The closer to colorless a diamond is, the more valuable it is.

It’s clear to see; D to I for me

D color grade stones are considered the most perfect - they're the “best” diamond color for clear diamonds. But you don't necessarily need a D grade diamond for a beautiful ring. Lower color grades actually look colorless if you know how to buy them.

E and F grade diamonds are also colorless - and a lot more affordable than their D counterparts. Even diamond experts have a hard time separating D from E from F. So you'll still get a super clear, bright diamond at a more affordable price if you choose E or F.

Moving on… the first 2 “near colorless” grades (G and H) look colorless most of the time. The average person can't tell a colorless D diamond apart from an H diamond. Even professionals might need magnification to know a G or an H from a perfect D.

I and J diamonds have a little more tint to them. This tint is visible with step-cut shapes, like the Asscher and emerald. It’s also visible with elongated shapes like the oval or elongated cushion.

G diamonds are the most popular choice for engagement rings. They look colorless, even in white gold, and are a perfect substitute for pricey D diamonds.

H and I diamonds are mostly on par with G color grade stones. The difference is, you might want to get a yellow or rose gold setting for these. The colored gold will hide the coloration of the diamond, making it look colorless.

J diamonds vary. Some will look colorless set against colored gold. Others will have a visible tint at all times. Whether you’re okay with this kind of slight tint is a subjective choice. The best way to know is to use our 3D preview tool to see what a diamond looks like in real life.

Setting yourself up for success

Shopping for diamonds? Here’s how you can save money on color.

Go for a grade in the F-H range, setting it in rose or yellow gold to mask its warm tones.

Get a brilliant cut, like the round brilliant; the oval; the marquise. The sparkle these stones produce will hide slight coloration.

Invest heavily in cut. A well-cut diamond will have more sparkle than a poorly cut one, hiding some coloration.

Here’s when you should not save money on color:

You’re buying a low-sparkle, step-cut shape like the Asscher, the emerald, etc.

You’re using a white gold or platinum setting.

You’re going bigger than 2 carats.

If these apply, “G” and above-grade diamonds will look best.

So what is the best diamond color?

For low-sparkle stones like Asscher and Emerald, G and above will look colorless. H and I will look good but have some tint. For high-sparkle stones - which most stones are - H and above look about colorless, and I looks good in rose and yellow gold.

We suggest AGAINST going with D/E diamonds in most cases, as it’s better to invest in cut and size. Buying quality G or H diamonds helps you save money and have a beautiful, shining diamond on your finger.

Conclusion

From completely colorless to tinted diamonds, there are many color grades available. Different color grades, mostly G, H, and I, look great when paired with the right diamond shape and setting material.

Keyzar offers natural and lab grown diamonds in both colorless and nearly colorless grades. You can preview all our stones in 3D, which makes it easy to pick the degree of tint that works for you.

Best Diamond Color

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