Last Updated on 13/07/2022 by Above Diamond
You might have heard of the D Color Belgian Diamond (also known as the “top color diamond”) because it is the most beautiful diamond color grade and is highly popular.
If you are looking to get your hands on a real Belgian cut diamond, which is renowned for its beauty, surely you will want to buy one in the best diamond color grade possible, known as the “Diamond Color 100%” (in Thai diamond terminology) or the “D Color” in international terms.
When buying a diamond, its color is a factor you should not overlook. Different color grades lead to different prices and values.
You don’t need to know every detail about diamond colors, but having a basic understanding will help you make smarter purchases without overspending.
Most diamonds we see are colorless diamonds (“white” diamonds in Thai), but their clarity can vary. If a diamond has a yellowish tint, it means the color is not as good, lowering its value. The more colorless a diamond is, the brighter and more valuable it becomes.
However, this does not include diamonds with unique colors, such as blue, pink, or yellow. These are considered “Fancy Colors” and are extremely rare, making them far more valuable than colorless diamonds—sometimes fetching prices multiple times higher.
Different Diamond Color Scales
GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is the most trusted authority in the diamond industry and created the widely accepted color grading scale. The scale begins at D and ends at Z.
In Thailand, people often refer to diamonds by the term “เพชรน้ำ %” (“Petch Nam”). “เพชร” means diamond, and “น้ำ” means water. The idea is that the clearer a diamond is, the closer it resembles water. “เพชรน้ำ 100%” means the diamond is completely clear, which corresponds to the “D Color” grade on the GIA scale.
GIA Diamond Color Grading Scale
- Colorless
D Color diamonds are the highest grade, as they contain the least color and appear clear and colorless. E and F Color diamonds are nearly indistinguishable from D Color diamonds without professional equipment, as the differences are incredibly subtle. Typically, D – F Color diamonds are best suited for white gold settings to enhance their brilliance. The whiteness of these diamonds harmonizes with the white gold, whereas yellow gold settings might detract from their appeal.
- Nearly Colorless
G – J Color diamonds also appear colorless to most people but have a slight hint of yellow. These diamonds are more affordable than D – F Color diamonds, with prices typically about 10-15% lower. White gold settings work best with G – J diamonds, as they minimize the appearance of yellow tints.
- Faint Tint
K – M Color diamonds have a noticeable yellow tint. They are usually set in gold settings, as the warm color of the gold complements the diamond’s tone. However, these diamonds are valued about 50% lower than G – J diamonds due to their visible color.
- Very Light Tint
Diamonds graded N – R show even more yellow or brown tones, significantly reducing their value. We generally advise against buying diamonds in this range.
- Light Tint
Diamonds with an S – Z Color grade have strong, undesirable yellow or brown hues. We recommend avoiding these diamonds for fine jewelry.
Techniques to Buy Diamonds by Color Grade
When purchasing a diamond, paying attention to its color grade is crucial. Along with reviewing a GIA diamond report, we recommend seeing the diamond in person or consulting with an expert.
Try to spot any yellowish tints by viewing the diamond under various lighting conditions, such as both yellow and white light.
Ensure the diamond looks brilliant and clear once it’s set, as this will help the diamond shine and stand out beautifully.
Now, let’s go over some recommendations on selecting the right diamond color for different ring settings and shapes.
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White Gold Rings
For round diamonds, we recommend H – J Color (96% – 94%). Unless you are looking for the very best, you may not need to pay the extra cost for a higher color grade, as the differences may be too subtle to justify the price.
Fancy Shape Diamonds (Princess, Emerald, Asscher): G – I Color (97% – 95%) Other Diamond Shapes: F – H Color (98% – 96%)
Gold Rings
For round diamonds set in gold, K – M Color (93% – 91%) is a good choice, as the gold color complements the yellow tones in the diamond. Even if you choose a higher color grade, the diamond will still appear yellow due to the gold setting. Fancy Shape Diamonds (Princess, Emerald, Asscher): J – K Color (94% – 93%) Other Diamond Shapes: I – J Color (95% – 94%)
Eternity Ring or Infinity Ring
Round Diamonds and Fancy Shape Diamonds (Princess, Emerald, Asscher): G – I Color (97% – 95%) Other Diamond Shapes: F – H Color (98% – 96%)
Halo Rings
All Diamond Shapes: F – H Color (98% – 96%)
Understanding the Color Grades of Diamonds
You might have heard that the color grade is one of the most important factors when buying a diamond, but that’s not always the case.
While color certainly impacts a diamond’s appearance, diamonds that are just one or two grades apart often look the same to the average person. For instance, most people wouldn’t notice the difference between G and J Color diamonds (97% – 94%).
In fact, we recommend focusing more on the quality of the diamond’s cut rather than its color.
The Difference Between Neighboring Color Grades
Take a look at the image below, where 9 diamonds have been arranged in random order on the left and in color order on the right. Can you match them up?
Answer: 1 = G, 2 = L, 3 = E, 4 = F, 5 = J, 6 = D, 7 = H, 8 = K, 9 = I
Most people struggle to differentiate between diamonds just one grade apart, even though the price difference can be significant.
Your Eyes and the Principles of 4C
The beauty of a diamond depends on a combination of factors.
The 4C’s (Color, Cut, Clarity, Carat) work together to determine a diamond’s overall appearance. Therefore, a professional gemologist’s trained eye is essential in judging the color or clarity of a diamond.
Instead of focusing solely on color, it’s best to consider how all aspects of the diamond interact.
Base the Importance of the Diamond Color Grade by the Diamond’s Shape
When selecting a diamond, it helps to consider both the color grade and the diamond’s shape.
Each diamond shape reflects light differently, meaning the color grade’s importance will vary. Here’s a quick guide to how important color grade is for each shape, with 1 being the least important and 10 being the most important:
- Round: 3
- Princess: 5
- Emerald, Asscher: 6
- Oval, Marquise, Pear, Heart: 7
- Radiant, Cushion: 8
Diamond Buyers Beware
Round diamonds are the most popular shape, making up about two-thirds of all diamonds sold.
When buying a round diamond, color is not the most critical factor. For example, most people would mistake an I – J Color diamond (95% – 94%) for a D Color diamond unless they’re experts.
Read more: Buying engagement rings from department stores, online stores, or private jewelers
The Setting Can Camouflage the Yellowness of the Diamond
The right setting can make a diamond appear clearer or more yellow, depending on the material. For instance, white gold helps enhance the colorless appearance of a diamond.
In fact, you wouldn’t be able to tell if an I Color diamond was of a lower grade unless you compared it directly with a higher-grade diamond.
Select a Center Diamond That Matches the Surrounding Diamonds
When choosing diamonds for halo or eternity rings, we recommend matching the color of the surrounding diamonds to the center stone. If that’s not possible, select surrounding diamonds of a slightly lower color grade to make the center diamond stand out.
If you’re opting for a single-stone ring, we suggest focusing more on Clarity or Cut rather than Color to make the most of your budget.
Read more: 4 Tips in Choosing ‘Women’s Diamond Rings’ That Will Make You Look Elegant and Beautiful!
How Does Fluorescence Affect Diamond Color?
Another factor to consider is fluorescence. This can also impact the diamond’s value.
Fluorescence occurs when the diamond reacts to UV light, which can make diamonds with lower color grades appear clearer. However, strong fluorescence may cause a cloudy appearance in higher-grade diamonds.
Conclusion: Many Other Factors Are More Important Than Color
The best way to select the right diamond is to consider all of its qualities, not just the color grade.
Once you’ve decided on the diamond’s shape and cut, then you can think about color. But as we’ve mentioned, color shouldn’t be the deciding factor.
If you’d like help selecting a diamond that fits your style and budget, you can contact us anytime. We’ll guide you through the process and help you find the most brilliant diamond possible within your price range. Just tell us what you need, and we’ll take care of the rest.
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