The diamonds that people tend to have in wedding and engagement rings are white or colorless. It is the absence of color that makes them more valuable. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA)has devised a diamond color chart to help people pick out the best stone for their purpose.
Grades D, E and F represent the highest grade, or colorless diamonds. It takes an expert gemologist to distinguish between these three grades. Once they are mounted into a setting, it becomes much more difficult to distinguish between a D grade stone and an E or F grade.
The highest grade is "D". These stones are absolutely colorless. Grades "E" and "F", while still considered colorless, they contain minute traces of coloration that can detected by an expert gemologist. The next tier, near colorless, encompass grades "G" through "J".
Gemstones in the "I" to "J" grade are less rare than higher grades, and are much better value for money, roughly half the price of a "D" stone. Generally, within the "G" to "J" range, price decreases 10 to 20 percent between each grade.
Faintly colored stones, "K", "L" and "M", have enough yellow tint that it is obvious to the naked eye. These are best set in yellow gold for a "warm" effect. A "K" graded stone will be only half as expensive as a "G" graded stone. Those in the "N" to "R" grade are obviously yellow or even brown.
Don't waste your time on the lowest grades, "S" to "Z". These have far too much coloration for anybody. While the diamond color chart is a handy guide to price, when it comes to what you like, your own judgement is best.
Grades D, E and F represent the highest grade, or colorless diamonds. It takes an expert gemologist to distinguish between these three grades. Once they are mounted into a setting, it becomes much more difficult to distinguish between a D grade stone and an E or F grade.
The highest grade is "D". These stones are absolutely colorless. Grades "E" and "F", while still considered colorless, they contain minute traces of coloration that can detected by an expert gemologist. The next tier, near colorless, encompass grades "G" through "J".
Gemstones in the "I" to "J" grade are less rare than higher grades, and are much better value for money, roughly half the price of a "D" stone. Generally, within the "G" to "J" range, price decreases 10 to 20 percent between each grade.
Faintly colored stones, "K", "L" and "M", have enough yellow tint that it is obvious to the naked eye. These are best set in yellow gold for a "warm" effect. A "K" graded stone will be only half as expensive as a "G" graded stone. Those in the "N" to "R" grade are obviously yellow or even brown.
Don't waste your time on the lowest grades, "S" to "Z". These have far too much coloration for anybody. While the diamond color chart is a handy guide to price, when it comes to what you like, your own judgement is best.
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To view a diamond clarity scale, and to see additional diamond quality chart educational material, simply visit the Investment Diamond Exchange (IDX) website.
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