Acting as a prism, a diamond can divide light into a spectrum of colors and reflect this light as colorful flashes called fire. Just as when looking through colored glass, color in a diamond will act as a filter, and will diminish the spectrum of color emitted. The less color in a diamond, the more colorful the fire, and the better the color grade.
At Blue Nile, you'll find only the finest diamonds with color graded D-J. Diamonds graded J or better are colorless or near-colorless — their color is typically undetectable to the unaided eye.
The color in diamonds graded K-Z detracts from the beauty of a diamond. It's especially noticeable set in platinum or white gold.
tips & hints
How important is color when selecting a diamond?
Color is the second most important aspect when choosing a diamond. When looking at a diamond, the human eye notices the diamond's cut first and its color second. Color becomes especially important when considering diamonds of larger size, since the additional light reflected Read more...
Which colors on the diamond color scale offer the best value?
The colors I and J have slightly detectable color, but tend to offer an excellent value - especially when considering a diamond shape such as Round or Princess. These types of shapes have more facets that reflect more light, and therefore can mask color in a diamond. Read more...
What are the differences between the "colorless diamonds" or D, E, and F?
Blue Nile offers a chart that provides a comparison of colors D through J. Diamonds with the color D are absolutely colorless and are considered the rarest and most desirable. Diamonds with the color grades of E and F are still colorless to the naked eye. Read more...
What are the differences between G and H?
Both colors G and H are considered "near-colorless" and the differences between the two are minor. Color in both may be noticeable when compared to diamonds of better grades, but both of these offer excellent value. Read more...
What are the differences between I and J?
Both colors I and J are also considered "near-colorless" and the differences between the two are also minor. Although there are a few people who can detect color in an I-colored diamond, most people can begin to perceive color in diamonds graded J or below. Read more...
Can I maximize the color of my diamond?
Diamond shapes that reflect more light, such as round brilliant or princess, can mask some color in a diamond. Therefore, you can maximize the color in a diamond by choosing a shape that has more facets.
What is fluorescence and how does it affect the color of a diamond?
Fluorescence refers to whether or not a stone produces a color reaction only when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The visible effects of fluorescence can only be detected by a trained gemologist with specific UV light. A grade of Strong or Very Strong blue Read more...
What are "fancy color diamonds" and does Blue Nile offer them?
Fancy color diamonds are rare but natural diamonds that exhibit colors such as yellow, pink, blue, or red. Blue Nile offers fancy color diamonds, all of which have natural color and have never been exposed to artificial coloring techniques such as dyeing or Read more...
Absolutely colorless. The highest color grade, which is extremely rare.
E
Colorless. Only minute traces of color can be detected by an expert gemologist. A rare diamond.
F
Colorless. Slight color detected by an expert gemologist, but still considered a "colorless" grade. A high-quality diamond.
G-H
Near-colorless. Color noticeable when compared to diamonds of better grades, but these grades offer excellent value.
I-J
Near-colorless. Color slightly detectable. An excellent value.
K-M
Noticeable color. Not carried by Blue Nile.
N-Z
Noticeable color. Not carried by Blue Nile.
Note that Blue Nile also carries fancy color diamonds. These diamonds are graded on a different color scale than white diamonds. Since the scale above ranges from the best to the worst quality in a white diamond, the colors found in fancy color diamonds are not represented on this scale. Learn more about fancy color diamonds.
Some people seek diamonds that produce this unique effect, while others avoid it. The visible effects of fluorescence grades of faint, inert, negligible, and medium, can only be detected by a trained gemologist with specific UV light. A fluorescence grade of strong or very strong can make a diamond with a near-colorless grade look even whiter. In some very rare instances a diamond with very strong fluorescence can give the diamond a slight hazy or oily appearance. Diamonds with a strong or very strong fluorescence are a better value for the end customer because the market prices them slightly lower than diamonds with faint or negligible fluorescence.
For the purist, look for a colorless diamond with a grade of D-F and a fluorescence rating of faint, inert, none, or negligible.
For an excellent value in a diamond with no noticeable color to the unaided eye, look for a near-colorless grade of G-I, and a fluorescence grade of medium or strong blue.
Or, if you'd rather not compromise on color but would like to stay on budget, choose a diamond with a good cut, SI1–SI2 clarity, and consider going with a strong fluorescence. It will still be beautiful to the unaided eye and you may prefer the unique effect of a strong fluorescence.
The table below compares the prices of diamonds with the same clarity grade (VS1) and carat weight, but varying color grades.
Learn about our collection of rare and beautiful fancy color diamonds. These diamonds are prized for their natural color and are accompanied by a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) report.
