Color

Color refers to the presence — or absence — of tint in a diamond. The highest grade, D, is comparable to a glass of pure, colorless water. As you move down the color scale, imagine adding drops of champagne or scotch to that glass. Differentiation is subtle — often a matter of hundredths of a shade — but even these slight variations can be visually distinct to the trained eye.

Color is often the first characteristic a viewer notices, especially in relation to carat size. Yet, a diamond’s final color grade isn’t fully understood until the stone is cut and polished. That’s why diamonds should always be assessed loose, and ideally face-down — viewed through the pavilion — before evaluating the face-up appearance.

It’s also worth noting that transparency, grayness, and lack of luster are color-related qualities not captured on the traditional scale. These are covered more deeply in the External Brilliance section. Finally, a diamond’s make can influence how color appears: a well-cut stone can reflect and return light in a way that minimizes any subtle tint it holds.