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Color (Third in the 4 C's)
Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Standards
Color with reference to diamond grading refers to subtle differences in the body color or hue. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) introduced their color grading scale in the late 1950's and today it's the most internationally accepted color scale in the diamond industry.
The GIA color scale begins at (D) colorless and goes to light yellow (Z). The distinctions between color grades within the normal range are quite subtle and virtually undetectable to the untrained eye. Similarly five different brands of "white" paper will appear the same when viewed separately, but if laid upon each other a definite separation of color would be detectable.
With the exception of naturally occurring rare fancy colors such as blue, pink, green, and red, colorless diamonds (D, E, F) command the highest prices. Experienced graders can distinguish the difference between diamonds graded as D & E in color on a consistent basis, and then only in diamonds that are un-mounted. Most trained graders can consistently identify diamonds of "F" color. Diamonds that are near colorless (G, H, I, J) often appear colorless when mounted and graded face up. The average consumer will not detect any color in an un-mounted G, H, I unless it is compared to a D, E, F. However, most experienced graders can see color in these diamonds when they are un-mounted. Most consumers begin to recognize a subtle presence of color around grade "J" but are usually uncertain as to how to describe it. As a rule, "J" mounts up "white" if the diamond is set in white metal.
Most consumers can identify a color difference in diamonds that grade K, L, M in mounted diamonds that weigh one-half carat or more. However, they often mistake mounted K, L, M diamonds weighing less than half a carat as being colorless when they are mounted in white metal. Beyond "M" most consumers are quick to see color regardless of how the diamond is mounted and often describe it as "dingy" or "brownish" for lack of a better explanation. Although yellows are more easily identified by consumers, brown and gray tones are also graded on the same scale.
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D, E, F |
Colorless
Only experienced graders can distinguish the difference between diamonds graded as D & E in color on a consistent basis, and then only in diamonds that are un-mounted. Most trained graders can consistently identify diamonds of "F" color. |
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G ,H, I, J |
Near Colorless
Diamonds that are near colorless (G, H, I, J) often appear colorless when mounted and graded face up. The average consumer will not detect any color in an un-mounted G, H, I unless it is compared to a D, E, F. However, most experienced graders can see color in these diamonds when they are un-mounted. |
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K, L, M |
Faint Yellow / Trace Color
Most consumers can identify a color difference in diamonds that grade K, L, M in mounted diamonds that weigh one-half carat or more. However, they often mistake mounted K, L, M diamonds weighing less than half a carat as being colorless when they are mounted in white metal. Beyond "M" most consumers are quick to see color regardless of how the diamond is mounted and often describe it as "dingy" or "brownish" for lack of a better explanation. Although yellows are more easily identified by consumers, brown and gray tones are also graded on the same scale. |
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N, O, P |
Very Light Yellow
Beyond "M" most consumers are quick to see color regardless of how the diamond is mounted and often describe it as "dingy" or "brownish" for lack of a better explanation. Although yellows are more easily identified by consumers, brown and gray tones are also graded on the same scale. |
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Q, Z |
Light Yellow to Fancy Yellow
Beyond "M" most consumers are quick to see color regardless of how the diamond is mounted and often describe it as "dingy" or "brownish" for lack of a better explanation. Although yellows are more easily identified by consumers, brown and gray tones are also graded on the same scale. |
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