Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and for good reason: these sparkling gems are full of history, romance, and mystery. But how do you know which diamond is the most beautiful for you? It all starts with color: not just the color of the stone, but also the coloration it has. If you can learn to understand this nuance, then you’ll be able to find a gorgeous diamond in any price range—and that’s something worth celebrating.
What makes us your trusted partner
With over 40 years of expertise, Diamond Registry’s CEO and owner, Nissan Perla, is your trusted guide in the diamond-buying world. Recognized by prestigious publications like The Washington Post and Chicago Tribune, Nissan’s extensive knowledge and experience in evaluating, buying, and selling diamonds are unparalleled. Our commitment to integrity, transparency, and delivering exceptional value ensures that you make an informed decision when acquiring your timeless treasure. Choose Diamond Registry for personalized guidance, education, and a curated selection of the finest quality diamonds, backed by decades of industry expertise and dedication to your satisfaction.
Diamond color has the biggest impact on price.
How does diamond color affect the beauty of your ring? The answer is simple: it doesn’t.
But that doesn’t mean you should ignore the color of a diamond when you’re buying one. In fact, because color has the biggest impact on price, it’s not only important—it’s one of the most important factors in determining how much your ring will cost (and yes, I’m talking about pricing here—not just aesthetics).
Any rare colored diamond is more pricey than a white diamond.
Because colored diamonds are rarer than white diamonds, most people expect that they’d cost more. The truth is, colored diamonds are much more expensive than their white counterparts—and you don’t have to be a diamond expert to figure out why.
Colored diamonds can command three times the price of an equivalent-sized and quality white diamond. So what makes them so special? It all comes down to the marketability of their beauty and rarity.
The GIA grades diamonds on a scale of D to Z.
- D is the lowest grade.
- Z is the highest.
- D is the most common grade, and Z is the rarest.
A diamond with an I hue is considered a fancy colored diamond.
I is the highest grade of color in a diamond. This means that it has the least amount of colorless atoms in its structure, giving it a rich, deep hue. I is also considered the most desirable and expensive color in a diamond. It’s rarest since only about 1% of all diamonds produced are I colored—so if you want to get your hands on one, you’ll have to pay more for it than any other kind!
Any hue that’s not a pure color qualifies as fancy yellow or brown, depending on the shade.
Fancy-colored diamonds are more expensive than white diamonds, and fancy yellows are even more expensive than browns. An orange diamond will cost you a lot more than an orange-brown one.
- The price of fancy colored diamonds can be affected by several factors that influence their rarity and value. These include:
- The color intensity—the deeper the hue, the higher the price
- The quality of light reflected by the stone—a diamond with a strong light return is worth more than one with poor reflection capabilities (like those found in yellow stones)
- Its cut shape—some cuts are better suited for certain colors than others
Diamonds in the D to F range are most likely to show color.
A diamond with color is more expensive because it’s rarer, so it makes sense that a diamond with a lot of color would cost even more. A medium-yellow or brownish hue in the F range can be incredibly beautiful and unique, but these diamonds will never be as popular as those with absolutely no hint of color.
Diamonds in the G-J range will show off their white beauty without hues of yellow, but you’ll pay less for stones in this range.
Diamonds in the G-J range will show off their white beauty without hues of yellow, but you’ll pay less for stones in this range.
If your budget is tight, you can still find diamonds that fall within the G-J range that are beautiful and sparkly. If you’re on a more limited budget, then I’d recommend looking for a diamond with an SI2 rating or lower. Any diamond over SI3 will increase your cost significantly and make it harder to find one at a reasonable price point.
Diamonds in the K-Z range are very affordable, but may have visible coloration and do not sparkle as much as other diamonds.
- Price is a good indicator of color. The price of a diamond is an indication of its color ranking, and most people prefer to wear diamonds with better clarity as they get more expensive.
- Colorless diamonds are more valuable than those with light or dark tints.
- You should buy the best quality diamond you can afford because it represents the most beauty and value for your money.
- You should choose the right type of center stone based on your budget, personal preferences, and any other factors that might affect how much you wear it (such as size).
You can find a gorgeous diamond ring at any price point if you’re willing to consider different colors and patterns of stones.
If you’re looking to buy a diamond, but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars, there’s no need to worry. You can find a gorgeous diamond ring at any price point if you’re willing to consider different colors and patterns of stones.
In addition to color and clarity, another factor that affects the beauty of your ring is cut: The cut refers to the proportions of a diamond, including its shape (round or square), length-to-width ratio and evenness throughout. A well-cut stone will shine more brilliantly than one with poor proportions because light reflects off each facet equally as it passes through the stone.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this guide has given you enough information to make the right choice on diamond color. You can find a gorgeous, high-quality diamond at any price point if you’re willing to consider different colors and patterns of stones. We invite you to do your research and learn more about diamond clarity and carat, too—those are equally important aspects of your ring!