What Is Diamond Color?

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).

Diamond Color Chart


Tiffany only accepts engagement diamonds in the “colorless” and “near colorless” range on a diamond color scale. In other words, for engagement rings, Tiffany only accepts D color diamonds, E color diamonds, F color diamonds, G color diamonds, H color diamonds and I color diamonds. Borderline diamond color classifications are automatically given the more conservative grade.

DEF

Colorless

GHIJ

Near Colorless

KLM

Faint Yellow

NOPQR

Very Light Yellow

STUVWXYZ

Light Yellow

The gemological standards in this section refer only to individually registered engagement diamonds set in certain ring styles.

Tiffany & Co. Diamond Color Chart
Tiffany & Co. Diamond Color

Does Diamond Color Matter?

Color is the second most important of the 4Cs because the color grade 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.
“If you’re buying a piece of jewelry from Tiffany, you’re buying a piece of artwork.”

—Paul Domiciano, model maker

Tiffany & Co. Diamond Color
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 4Cs
Diamond Cut
Diamond Clarity
Diamond Carat

Learn more about Tiffany engagement rings

Shop Tiffany & Co. Diamond Engagement Rings
Tiffany & Co. Guide to Diamonds
Tiffany & Co. Diamond Experts
Tiffany & Co. Lifetime of Service