Not all diamonds are completely white—and that’s perfectly normal. Most have a slight hint of color, and understanding how that color is graded can make a big difference when it comes to choosing the right stone.
Color is one of the 4Cs used to evaluate a diamond’s quality, and even though the differences can be subtle, they can still affect how a diamond looks—especially when paired with certain shapes, sizes, or metals. Some stones will appear brighter or warmer depending on these factors, so knowing what to look for helps when comparing side by side.
In this guide, we’ll break down what diamond color really means, how the grading scale works, and what to keep in mind while shopping. Whether you’re drawn to a crisp, colorless look or something with a bit of warmth, having a basic understanding of color will help you make a choice you feel good about.
What Is Diamond Color?
Diamond color refers to how much color a diamond has—or ideally, doesn’t have. Most diamonds used in fine jewelry are graded on their lack of color, with the most valuable ones appearing crisp and colorless. These diamonds let light pass through cleanly, which helps maximize sparkle and brightness.
That said, trace amounts of elements like nitrogen can give a diamond a slight yellow or brown tint. These natural tints are what color grading aims to measure. The less color a diamond has, the higher it generally ranks on the GIA’s grading scale.
The GIA Color Scale: D to Z
The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has devised a color grading scale for which diamond color grades can be judged upon. This scale serves as a universal standard by which jewelers, gem dealers, and consumers across the globe can use.
The scale ranges from D to Z, with D being the starting point of diamonds that are completely colorless, to Z being the end point where diamonds have a noticeable hue of brown or yellow. Know that the steps between each grade are pretty small - so much so that most differences can only be seen when the stones are compared side to side.
The scale is as follows:
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D–F (Colorless): Bright, clean, and very rare. These diamonds have no visible color and are often chosen for their classic, icy appearance.
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G–J (Near Colorless): Any color is faint and usually only noticeable when compared directly with higher-grade stones. In most cases, they still look plenty white—especially in yellow or rose gold settings.
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K–M (Faint Color): Slight warmth or tint becomes more noticeable, especially in larger diamonds. These stones can still look great, particularly in vintage styles or yellow gold.
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N–R (Very Light Color): The color is more apparent to the eye. These diamonds are less common in modern engagement rings unless chosen for a specific look.
- S–Z (Light Color): Deeper yellow or brown tones are clearly visible. These are typically not used in traditional white diamond jewelry.
You may be wondering - why does the color scale start at D instead of A? Before the GIA created its system, there were all kinds of grading methods out there, many of which used A, B, and C to describe diamond quality.
To avoid any confusion and give their system a clean start, the GIA decided to begin at D. It was a simple way to set their standard apart from everything that came before.
A Note on Fancy Colored Diamonds
Not all diamonds are graded on how colorless they are. There are a subset of diamonds known as “fancy colored diamonds” that go beyond the D to Z scale. These stones are a category all their own, and come in shades like pink, blue, green, brown, black, and even red.
Fancy color diamonds are super rare, and because of this often come at very high prices.
What Gives a Diamond Its Color?
Most often, diamond color comes from trace elements that became part of the diamond’s atomic structure during its formation. The most common of these is nitrogen, which can give a diamond a yellow tint. The more nitrogen present, the more noticeable the warmth in the stone.
Other elements or internal conditions can create different hues. For example, boron can give diamonds a bluish tint, while hydrogen has been linked to rare gray or violet tones. These typically fall under the category of fancy color diamonds, but in traditional white diamonds, it’s mostly nitrogen that affects the color grade.
These slight variations are completely natural and don’t affect a diamond’s strength or structure—they’re simply part of what makes each diamond one of a kind.
How Color Works with Other Diamond Features
As important as diamond color is, how noticeable it is often depends on other things like shape, cut, setting metal, and size.
Some shapes highlight color more than others. Shapes with large front facing facets, like the emerald or Asscher styles, can make any tint more visible . On the other hand, brilliant styles like round, oval, or radiant shapes reflect more light, which helps play down subtle color differences.
Cut quality really makes a difference in color perception, too. A well-cut diamond reflects light more radiantly, and this in turn helps downplay any faint color present and makes the stone look more lively overall. That’s why a lot of people choose to prioritize cut when they’re weighing all the 4Cs.
The setting metal can also change how color comes across. The warm hues of yellow and rose gold tends to contrast against diamonds, and can make stones with subtle color look whiter. White gold or platinum, though, can highlight any color that’s there—so in those cases, you might want to aim a little higher on the color scale.
Size plays a part, too. The bigger the diamond, the easier it is to spot color. In stones over 1.5 carats, even small shifts in color grade can be easier to notice.
At the end of the day, though, it’s about balance and what you prefer. You don’t need a perfect grade to get a great-looking diamond, especially if the cut is strong and the setting works with the stone. Furthermore, you might appreciate a little warmth in your stone, and err on the side of getting a diamond that has more of a hue. Choosing a diamond is a personal journey, and requires one to see stones in person to determine which one is the best choice.
How We Can Help
At Paul’s Jewelers, we’re here to help you make sense of all these details—not just color grades on a chart, but how the diamond will actually look once it’s in a ring or necklace you’ll wear every day.
We have been helping clients in Milwaukee and beyond create their diamond jewelry masterpieces for over 50 years. Our experienced staff and GIA-certified gemologists can walk you through options side by side and help you find a diamond that looks great to your eye, not just on paper.
Come by our showroom, and let’s talk diamonds. We’ll help you find something you love—and that you’ll love for years to come.
