What Is Diamond Color?
Color refers to the natural tint inherent in white diamonds. In nature, most white diamonds have a slight tint of yellow. The closer to being “colorless” a diamond is, the rarer it is. The industry standard for grading color is to evaluate each stone against a master set and assign a letter grade from “D” (colorless) to “Z” (light yellow). Any diamonds outside of the D–Z color range are exceedingly rare and considered fancy color diamonds, which are prized for their vibrant hues.
Does Diamond Color Matter?
The color of a diamond directly affects the stone’s appearance. Diamonds with a poor color grade can appear slightly yellow instead of the desired brilliant white. Additionally, the Tiffany Gemological Laboratory will not accept stones exhibiting strong or excessive fluorescence, which, in natural lighting, can give diamonds a milky appearance.
The Tiffany Difference
Tiffany’s Color Standards
Diamond Education
Diamond Color Scale
Tiffany only accepts engagement diamonds graded as D, E, F, G, H and I on the color scale. Borderline diamond color classifications are automatically given the more conservative grade.
The gemological standards in this section refer only to individually registered engagement diamonds set in certain ring styles.
The gemological standards in this section refer only to individually registered engagement diamonds set in certain ring styles.
Speak with a Tiffany Diamond Expert
Tiffany Diamond Experts are delighted to assist you as you begin your engagement ring journey, from sharing information on the 4Cs to trying on engagement rings or customizing a design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Color refers to the natural tint inherent in white diamonds. In nature, most white diamonds have a slight tint of yellow. The closer to being “colorless” a diamond is, the rarer it is. The industry standard for grading color is to evaluate each stone against a master set and assign a letter grade from “D” (colorless) to “Z” (light yellow).
White diamonds are given a color grade of D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). Tiffany only accepts engagement diamonds in the “colorless” and “near colorless” range on a diamond color scale. For engagement diamonds, Tiffany only accepts D, E, F, G, H and I color diamonds. Fancy color diamonds such as yellow or pink diamonds have their own color grades.
Among white diamonds, D color diamonds are of the highest grade. D color diamonds are in the "colorless" range on a diamond color scale along with E color diamonds and F color diamonds. Fancy color diamonds such as yellow or pink diamonds have their own color grades.
The GIA diamond color scale for white diamonds provides the universal standard for color grading and features letter grades from “D” (colorless) to “Z” (light yellow). The closer to being “colorless” a diamond is, the rarer it is. Tiffany only accepts engagement diamonds graded as D, E, F, G, H and I on the color scale.
DEF
Colorless
GHIJ
Near Colorless
KLM
Faint Yellow
NOPQR
Very Light Yellow
STUVWXYZ
Light Yellow
DEF
Colorless
GHIJ
Near Colorless
KLM
Faint Yellow
NOPQR
Very Light Yellow
STUVWXYZ
Light Yellow
