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Color
Letters are used to grade the color of diamonds. The letter
D is used as the highest or whitest rating. As you move down
through the alphabet, the color becomes darker, moving to
yellow. RED letters indicate
the best range for engagement ring diamonds.
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D
E
F |
Colorless |
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G
H
I
J
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Near Colorless |
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K
L
M |
Faint Yellow |
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N
O
P
Q
R |
Very Light Yellow |
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S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z |
Light Yellow |
The Gemological Institute of America has provided the industry
with the most comprehensive system for evaluating the different
color grades. Those colors range from D-Z in the alphabet
and then move into the "fancy yellow" grades. They
also have a grading for diamonds that have "fancy"
colors like green, blue, pink, brown and red.
More Than Just White
This color grading system does not include the many "fancy"
colors of diamonds. The most popular are fancy yellows, pinks
and blues. Other colors include green, red and orange. These
fancy-colored diamonds are more rare and therefore more expensive
than traditional white stones.
Lately, previously industrial or commercial-grade diamonds
have found new life as champagne, burgundy and chocolate-colored
diamonds. Even black diamonds are gaining popularity in fine
jewelry.
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