Diamond Education — Color
The Best Color: Colorless!
Color for white diamonds can vary from colorless (“D” grade and exceedingly rare) to light yellow (“Z” ). Most diamonds possess some degree of yellow or brown. Small, nearly undetectable, differences in color can make a substantial difference in a diamond’s cost. Generally, the more colorless the diamond the greater its value. If a diamond is well cut, and this is especially true with the round brilliant cut, the diamond’s refraction and dispersion often will disguise certain degrees of coloration.
Making Color Count
A stone with a color rating near the bottom of the alphabet may benefit from a yellow gold setting instead of a platinum or a white gold setting. Stones that possess more color than a “Z” rating may be prized as a Fancy — Yellow or Brown or Red or Blue, etc.
