Diamond Color – Why G Color Gives the Best Value?

In a nutshell…

In colorless white diamonds, diamond color is one of the 4Cs in assessing the quality of the diamond (carat, cut, color, clarity). It is one of the most noticeable and therefore important factors in determining the overall brilliance of a diamond.

Since D-F colors are considered colorless, G is right at the boundary of the colorless range and cannot be distinguished from F color diamonds to the naked-eye.

Because G color barely has any hue or yellow tint, it is still regarded as an investment grade.

If you go for a G color diamond, make sure you buy an eye-clean stone, preferably in the SI1/VS2 range at a minimum to maximize the brilliance of a diamond.

Diamond certification is important. Always go for a GIA or AGS graded diamond.

Fluorescence is an important factor. We recommend that you either go for a none or faint blue fluorescence in G color diamonds.

 Overview….

The first thing most people notice about a diamond is its color. Is it pink? Blue? Or colorless? The color of a diamond is key factor in assessing the diamonds quality. Colors range from the rare pink, red, black, and blue to stones that are completely colorless to those with hints of yellow. For white diamonds, clarity is a huge determinant to its rating where clear pieces are rated as top in value.

Clear stones reflect much light, making them more lustrous, a quality appreciated by many jewelry lovers. In order to rank them in quality according to color from good to best, the Gemology Institute of America (GIA) has introduced a grading system.

The grading system is based on letters. The letters are from D to Z, with D being the best in quality being very clear with no color hues. Z ranks lowest in clarity with a noticeable tint.

History Of Diamond Grading…

Diamond grading has been present for a long time and can be traced back to the times of the Roman Empire where it was used to sort out the stones. With the increase in popularity of diamonds, several regions worldwide came up with their own grading system. However, the systems differed and led to some discrepancies especially during inter-regional trade.

In the late 1800s grading models started using letters such as A, B, C, A the A, AA, AAA and I, II, II. Upon the formation of the Gemology Institute of America, a new grading structure took charge, also using letters. To prevent confusion arising from the previous grading system, the new order used letters starting from D to Z.

The Grading Process…

The color grading process comes after establishing carat weight and proportions and also checking on its clarity and finish of the diamond piece. The diamond is then compared on a set of master stones. The master stones are laid from D to Z to represent the varying levels of clarity. The jewel is moved against each stone in the set to get the one matching its profile in color.

Then it is then observed keenly under ultraviolet light to check for its reflective capability. The grading environment utilizes a grey or white environment for the best results.

Also, in order to improve accuracy on the results, other graders will repeat the whole procedure and a consensus held to determine the grade of the gem.

The Diamond’s Grades…

D, E, F

The grades D, E and F are on the higher side when it comes to clarity and are of the best quality. Ranking highest is grade D with no color blemish at all under proper scrutiny. Pieces under these grades are very lustrous and rare to come across. Due to their rarity, they are very expensive on purchase. Under GIA standards, the pieces under grades D, E, F are under the colorless category.

G, H, I, J

The G, H, I, J grade comes second in terms of clarity. Jewels under this grade have the description of near colorless. They have a slight color which is not easily noticeable unless under immense inspection. Additionally, they offer the best value as they are almost like the D, E, F grade in quality but slightly cheaper. Acquiring them is an effortless affair as they are not as rare as the preceding grades. Under an untrained eye, the stones are very brilliant and a slight difference is only noticed when compared to a master stone of the higher grade class.

K, L, M

The next grade class is the K, L, M grade which has a slightly faint yellow hue in them. The faint coloration in them is noticeable by an untrained eye and this grade has a wider distinction from the former two grade classes. You can get a good cut diamond under this grade class at a better bargain.

N To R

The N, O, P, Q, R category is noted for the pronounced yellow hue and termed as very light yellow to slightly light brown. These diamonds are considered to be of a lower quality owing to the strong coloration that is distinguishable. A yellow gold mount is a good option for such diamonds so that the yellow coloration can be slightly toned down. They are way cheaper and easily accessible.

S To Z

On the lower side of the grading system, we have the S to Z category. In terms of clarity, the diamonds have a light yellow hue to a light brown coloration. They are also easily accessible and affordable as their quality is not considered to be of much prestige. The S graded diamonds are yellowish under the naked eye with the Z category seemingly taking a light brown color.

Having a lower grade does not mean that they do not offer value. With a clear cut and the right weight proportions in carats, these diamonds do offer a great value. If it ranks higher in polish, symmetry, and finishes then the better, get a high-grade gold mount and you are good to go.

Grading Of Colored Diamonds…

Diamonds that have a slightly higher coloration past the Z grade are no longer considered clear diamonds. They are referred to as fancy diamonds and have their own grading system. The grading system uses colors to describe the diamonds. The colors start from red, orange-red, yellowish-orange and so forth. Adjectives are also used to describe their saturation in color with terms such as faint, fancy, light and deep used in their description.

Why G Color Gives The Best Value…

The G to J grade in colorless diamond grading offers the best value in purchase more so the G color. This is so due to the thin distinction line between it and the best quality diamonds which are in the preceding D to F grade. The jewels are almost similar in clarity with a slight hue of color only detectable by grading experts in the right conditions.

The great value comes in pricing as the D to F grade is rare and highly priced as such. The G grade is not that rare hence it is affordable. As the clarity is not easily distinguishable, you can opt for the G color and get a gem that is among the best in clarity with a manageable price tag. A clear cut and a great polish and finish on the G color diamond and you have the best bargain on your hands with a clear sparkle.

Bottom-line

When getting a colorless diamond, focus on its coloration for you to get the best piece in terms of clarity. Having a professional grader check it for you does the trick and you get the accurate grade after analysis. For the best value in quality and pricing, look at G diamonds for a balance on price and utter clarity. Always go for a GIA certified loose diamond.

Credit: Sharif Khan on 5th Jun 2019