Diamond Colour: The Expert Guide

Diamond colour is one of the key characteristics to consider when buying diamond jewellery. The most desirable diamonds tend to be completely colourless, whereas those lower on the scale show a noticeable yellow tint.

What is the diamond colour scale?

Diamond colour is measured using a letter-based grading scale developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). This is the global industry standard, and any certified diamond will list its colour grade on its report.

The diamond colour system is categorised into the following grades:

Diamond colour grades

Colourless			Near Colourless			Faint Colour		Very Light Colour					Light Colour
D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M	N	O	P	Q	R	S	T	U	V	W	X	Y	Z
Most Expensive			Premium			Mid-range		Less expensive					Cheapest

Why does the scale start at D?

Historically, earlier diamond grading systems used letters like A, AA or AAA to indicate quality. To avoid confusion with these older systems, the modern GIA scale began fresh at D, representing the highest level of colourlessness.

The rarest and most desirable diamonds are those that are completely colourless (D–F). However, to the naked eye, the difference between colourless and near colourless is often very subtle, especially in certain diamond shapes.

Plus, some diamond shapes are more forgiving with colour, which is something to be aware of before you decide how to split your budget.

Faint Yellow- Light Yellow (K-Z)

Diamonds graded K–Z have a visible yellow or brown tint, especially when viewed from the side. To see the true colour of a loose diamond, it is best to compare each diamond face-down and then look through the pavilion (underside).

Lower-grade diamonds typically show a stronger tint of colour, you might see hues of yellow, grey or brown.

This category offers good value for buyers prioritising size or clarity over colour.

Near colourless Diamond (G-J)

Near colourless diamonds can appear colourless to the naked eye, particularly in smaller carat weights.

Any faint tint can be visible but is most obvious when the diamond is viewed from below.

This range offers excellent value, without the price tag of a D–F diamond.

For most buyers, G–H provides the perfect balance of beauty and budget.

Colourless Diamond (D-F)

Colourless diamonds are the rarest and attract the highest prices.

D–E diamonds show absolutely no colour.

F diamonds may exhibit an extremely slight hint of colour.

While stunning, the difference between a D–F diamond and a well-chosen G diamond is often hard to detect to non-specialists.

Fancy diamond colours

Diamonds don’t only come in shades of white. Fancy‑coloured diamonds exist in almost every colour, and these are not graded on the D-Z scale.

Common fancy colours include:

Bright yellow
blue
green
black
pink
red

These diamonds are graded on a separate scale based on saturation and hue, and can be significantly more expensive than white diamonds.

Diamond shapes for different coloured diamonds

Different diamond shapes show colour differently. Some shapes mask colour well, while others highlight it.

Step‑cut diamonds such as emerald and asscher cuts, have large, open facets that reveal even slight tints, while brilliant cuts scatter light and help disguise colour.

Most Forgiving					Least Forgiving
Round cut	Princess cut	Radiant cut	Cushion cut	Heart cut	Pear cut	Oval cut	Marquise cut	Emerald cut	Asscher cut

Let us help you choose

Comparing diamond colour across shapes and styles can feel overwhelming. Our experts at Diamond Heaven offer honest, transparent advice tailored to your taste and budget.

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