What Is The Best Diamond Color Rating

Interestingly the diamond color evaluation of most gem quality diamonds is based on the absence of color.
What is the best diamond color rating. The d color grade is the highest quality color grade a diamond can receive and can reasonably be called the best color for a diamond. However it s a little more complicated than that. The most valuable diamonds are colorless with a color grade rating of d. For people who are in a time crunch here s a summary of the diamond rating scales and charts for your convenience.
Keep reading to learn the smart rules to shop by. Understanding what diamond color means helps in choosing the right diamond. A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond has no hue like a drop of pure water and consequently a higher value. For the best value in what would appear to the naked eye as a colorless diamond look for g j diamonds.
Low grade diamonds with a color rating of s z appear obviously yellow to the naked eye. D through f are the most valuable ratings but i which is in the near colorless range is still considered a good color rating. While a d color diamond is undoubtedly the best in terms of color the difference in price between a d color diamond and a diamond with a lower color. Setting and style matter too colorless diamonds need a white gold or platinum band to enhance their icy appeal while yellow gold complements to g j grade ones.
What is the best color for a diamond. Best can be very subjective especially when it comes to diamonds. Because color is easier to detect in larger diamonds opt for g h in diamonds over 1 carat and i j for those under 1 carat. Diamond color ranges from d colorless to z light yellow in color.
The naked eye can t tell between colorless d f diamonds and the slight yellow tint of grades g j. Cut is what really makes or breaks a diamond s appearance. But these ratings are determined by expert gemologists comparing against a set of master stones. Colorless diamonds allow more light and so show more sparkle and fire than other diamonds.
A well cut diamond has better light return which results in better sparkle and brilliance. In the rating i2 i3 the i stands for inclusions or imperfections within the diamond. Diamonds with an ij rating fall into the second best color tier. However one of the mistakes that beginners make is the assumption that a higher color rating will make a diamond more beautiful.
Diamond quality charts and rating scales illustrated.