D, E, F Colorless Diamonds Differences

In white diamonds (not diamonds that are naturally colored, referred to as “ fancy color diamonds” such as pink or canary yellow diamonds), the absence of color or yellow tint/shadow is preferred, and a stone that has no yellow color/tint/shadow at all would be considered Colorless or D color. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) considers D-F color diamonds colorless. G to J colors, on the hand, are considered Near Colorless. However, G is very close to being Colorless as opposed to, say, J. Please review our guide on diamond color and the best diamond color for more details. Below is an illustration of the different ranges.

James Allen has the perfect 3D 360 Degree Technology with 40X Magnification for comparing diamonds. Try to play with their filter to understand how diamonds look with different clarity, cut, and color scales. 

Diamond Fluorescence is a significant factor in understanding dealing with the color of a diamond. In colorless diamonds, avoiding fluorescence is generally a good idea because it can make diamonds look overly blueish. However, fluorescence can be a helpful factor in higher color ranges such as H, I, J, and above. It can make the diamond look whiter than it is because blue is a complementary color to yellow - blending the two colors. You will get the white color as a result.

Gemologists typically use what is known as the four Cs to determine the cost of a diamond. The Cs represent cut, clarity, carat, and color. The four Cs result from painstaking research completed by the Gemological Institute of America. The scale they have developed ensures that diamonds are assigned a standardized GIA rating.

It should be noted that only the GIA scale should be used, especially for diamonds being purchased as an investment. Internationally, this scale is the most respected and recognized diamond rating.

Color is among the most critical factors for assessing a diamond. Gemologists, however, often reason that the cut of the diamond determines its brilliance. The GIA scale is used to assess the color of a diamond and ranks diamonds from D to Z.

Colorless diamonds are ranked anywhere along the spectrum from D to F. These diamonds have the least possible traces or tints of color. Diamonds with the strongest tints of yellow or the most color are ranked X, Y, and Z.

As you can imagine, diamonds can be ranked anywhere along the spectrum of options available on the GIA scale. It is, however, statistically less likely to find a completely colorless diamond. Be warned that many of these colorless diamonds on the market are not real diamonds and have been artificially produced. Recent statistics indicate that less than 1% of all the diamonds mined can be categorized as D or E color grade diamonds.

The laws of supply and demand dictate that if the item is in short supply, the prices will generally be higher. Thus, if only one percent of the world’s diamond supply can be categorized as colorless, we can expect these diamonds to be significantly more expensive than most colored diamonds.

It should be noted that certain rare colored diamonds, such as those that are red, purple, or pink, can be more expensive than some colorless diamonds. That is because these are very uncommon colors for diamonds. Diamonds usually feature shades of yellow, orange, or brown.

The question, however, remains, ‘How can one save money when purchasing diamonds?’ Also, ‘Are colorless diamonds the best option for me?’ As previously mentioned, the aim is to get value for money. So let us discuss how to get more bang for your buck.

Many who have found colorless diamonds too expensive have opted to purchase near-colorless diamonds instead. Some may scuff at the idea because they believe they would get an inferior diamond. This is, however, very far from the truth. Near-colorless diamonds can be just as brilliant as colorless diamonds.

Firstly, note that it is impossible for an untrained eye to spot the difference between a colorless and near-colorless diamond. The differences are so minute that you need a ten-times magnification loupe to see them. This simply means that you must be an expert gemologist to see the flaws in a near-colorless diamond. Is it worth paying much more if you can hardly see the difference?

On the contrary, a colorless diamond would be the most highly recommended option if you have the funds. These stones can be breathtaking when cut precisely to ensure maximum brilliance. They are also a sight when set in platinum or white gold. Yellow gold tends to make colorless diamonds appear tinted.

Money is usually no object for investors. But for the average love-struck Joe seeking an engagement right, the price will be one of the biggest factors determining whether they purchase a particular diamond. Here are five simple suggestions to help you save money when searching for the perfect diamond.

Pay attention to adjacent diamonds

Most rings usually feature a center stone and two or more adjacent stones. You can save yourself a pretty penny by using a colorless center stone and less expensive near colorless adjacent stones. The center stone’s brilliance will hide any flaws in the adjacent stones. This is a much more affordable option than purchasing only colorless stones for the ring.

Get smaller stones

It would also be a good idea to get a smaller center stone. Many have used clusters of small but excellent-quality diamonds instead of one large stone. This style is trending; thus, no one can tell that you saved yourself a lot of money.

Focus on the clarity and the cut

The color of the stone should not be your only priority. Since colorless stones are so expensive, you can purchase a near-colorless stone of excellent clarity and well-cut. The aim is to find brilliant stones regardless of their color. The clarity of the stone refers to the presence and visibility of flaws or inclusions. A stone cut well is cut at just the right angles to ensure that it brilliantly reflects the light around it, even if it has tints of color.

Inclusions visible to the naked eye will detract from the stone’s overall appearance. Near colorless stones with a few inclusions cut well can be exceptionally beautiful but cost much less than colorless stones.

Shop at the right time

Many forget that jewelry stores also capitalize on sale seasons to maximize profit. You can thus save a lot of money by shopping at the right time. This will allow you to purchase the diamond you choose without wasting much of your hard-earned money. It would also be wise to shop around and compare the prices even during the peak of the sale season. There is no shame in getting a great deal on an amazing diamond.

Embrace color

When all is said and done, diamonds are diamonds. Once they are professionally cut and set, they will be beautiful. There is, thus, no real reason to avoid purchasing a colored diamond. Clever marketing strategists try to paint the idea that colorless diamonds are the most beautiful diamonds on earth since this will fuel the demand for such diamonds and drive up their prices.

Many industry experts do not agree with this notion. Even expert gemologists have often stated that colored diamonds can be equally breathtaking, especially when the right procedures are undertaken to preserve their beauty. You can purchase a diamond in the bride-to-be's favorite color.

Don’t be fooled by mainstream media. Choose the diamond you think best symbolizes your love and suits your budget. A diamond ring is only one of the expenses a new couple will have to contend with before they wed.

Purchasing a colorless diamond as an investment can be a tricky business. You must focus on the cut, clarity, carat weight, and shape to make the best choice. Focus on how the diamond compares across the entire spectrum of the GIA scale. A diamond may be colorless but not sparkling because of the visible inclusions and would therefore be a bad choice for an investment.

As you should have realized, the process is certainly a lot more tedious than buying an engagement ring. Another important key to making a wise choice is knowing current market trends. For example, research indicates that in 2016, smaller diamonds were in greater demand than larger diamonds. 1ct. diamonds have remained the most popular size diamonds. Anticipate how these kinds of trends will affect the supply and demand and, ultimately, the price of the diamond.

The shape of the diamond is not one of the four Cs, but it certainly does have a bearing on your investment. While we are all entitled to our preferences, brilliant round diamonds are the safest choice for an investor. More intricate shapes, such as square and princess-cut diamonds, tend to be more expensive since the jeweler would have cut away and essentially wasted some of the diamond to achieve that shape. Purchasing a round diamond ensures that you get more value for money.

While investors may have access to a larger pool of funds, they, too, may have concerns about the price of the diamond. After all, clever wholesalers and retailers are entitled to putting a markup on the price of the diamond. The Rapaport Price List was thus invented to help protect buyers.

The Rapaport Price List

The Rapaport Price List is an international benchmark to determine the price of any diamond. Its size and clarity determine the price of each diamond and, of course, its color. What is unique about this list is that it is updated weekly to keep up with current market fluctuations.

Before the invention of this list, a buyer was completely at the seller’s mercy. Now, armed with this list, buyers have a much clearer understanding of the actual value of the diamond and can easily determine whether the salesperson has put an exorbitant markup on the cost of the diamond.

When in doubt, feel free to walk away and consider other options. In recent times, the Rapaport Price List has been made available online. It would be wise to download this list and take it with you as you purchase. Just ensure that you download the latest version of the list.

Once you have identified the diamond that offers the best value for the right price, insist on seeing the GIA certificate. A diamond is a huge investment that should not be taken lightly. Many diamond sales representatives are dishonest and try to pass off fake diamond simulations as real diamonds. Plus, once you are ready to sell the diamond you’ve purchased, you will be asked to present the GIA certificate.

By now, it should be clear that the color of the diamond should not be the only factor that motivates your choice. If you are an investor, it is safe to say that you need to consider these three factors to make a wise choice:

1. The GIA certification

2. The cost compared to the Rapaport Price List

3. The four Cs

In summary, it should also be clear that colorless diamonds have been lauded as the ultimate choice and are far more expensive than near-colorless or most colored stones. Regardless, beautiful diamonds come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Choosing an engagement ring or another type of personal jewelry ultimately hinges on understanding the 4Cs.