Hyde Park Blog

One topic that many customers often have questions about is diamond color. When you break it down, the topic actually refers to two different issues. First, diamond color can refer to the grade given to a traditional white diamond according to the industry standard scale set by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)/ Second, diamond color can refer to the chemical changes that produce a range of colorful hues in non-white diamonds.

How Is Color Determined in White Diamonds?

The GIA scale for evaluating the clarity, hue, and color of traditional white diamonds works as follows:

• Grade D: Completely colorless diamonds; highly rare
• Grades E-F: Slightly less perfect than grade D diamonds but almost completely colorless; rare
• Grades G-H: Likely have no discernible color to most; less rare and considered a great value for most consumer needs
• Grades I-J: Mostly colorless, though may have a slight tinge of a yellow hue; common
• Grade K: Noticeably yellow-tinged but still mostly clear; more common, budget-friendly, often paired with yellow gold to enhance the color appearance
• Grade L and above: Yellow or brown toned diamonds; highly common

When shopping for diamonds, a knowledgeable jeweler should be able to tell you the grade of any diamonds you're considering and how that might impact the appearance of the stone.

What Effects Color in Fancy Color Diamonds?

The presence of certain chemicals can also produce vividly colored diamonds, whether it be hydrogen (purple diamonds), nitrogen (yellow and brown diamonds), boron (blue diamonds), graphite (black diamonds), or another chemical. Other types of chemical changes can also affect diamond color; for example, green diamonds are often a result of radiation.

Choosing the diamond for you is easier when you have the guidance of knowledgeable professionals. We are here for you at Hyde Park Jewelers— reach out today so we can help you find the diamond of your dreams.