Diamond Color | The 4 C’s Buyer’s Guide
Diamond color grading refers to how colorless and transparent a diamond is. High diamond color grades are given to diamonds that are very transparent as a result of chemical purity and structural perfection. They contain no hue or color.
However, in reality, no gem-sized natural diamonds are perfect. Chemical impurities affect the color of a diamond. In addition, structural defects in the crystal lattice also affect the color grading of a diamond. Depending on the hue and intensity of a diamond’s coloration, a diamond’s color can either detract from or enhance its value.
Discounts apply to white diamonds when the more yellow hue is detectable. Compared to intense pink diamonds or blue diamonds can be dramatically more valuable. Of all colored diamonds, red diamonds are the rarest.
Click the image below to shop loose diamonds based on their color grading @ Blue Nile: 
Diamond Color Grades
Diamond color grades are on a scale from D-Z. In addition, they are divided into five broad categories (colorless, near colorless, faint, very light and light).
Colorless 1 Carat Diamond Ring (D-F)
- Most valuable diamonds valuable because they have the least amount of hue.
- D-E diamonds have virtually no color.
- F diamonds have nearly undetectable hue when faced down.
Near Colorless 1 Carat Diamond Ring (G-J)
- Near colorless diamonds appears to have no hue as the diamond faces up.
- These diamonds exhibit slight color against white background facing downward.
- Color in these diamonds is unable to be detected by the untrained eye.
Faint Color 1 Carat Diamond Ring (K)
- Faint color diamonds show slight color while facing upward.
- Predominant color hue is yellow and sometimes brown.
- Nitrogen causes these yellow and brown hues.
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