Search
Close this search box.
Certified Diamond Network

Colour

Colour refers to the degree to which a loose diamond appears colourless

ESC

The Technical

A chemically pure and structurally perfect stone is perfectly transparent with no hue, or colour. However, in reality most gem-sized natural diamonds are imperfect. Our diamond buying guide explains how these imperfections are manifested in wholesale diamonds and diamond jewellery in Sydney.

Colour refers to the degree to which a loose diamond appears colourless. Stones are graded on a colour scale established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) which ranges from D (colourless) to Z (strong yellow or brown).

The finest quality as per colour grading is totally colourless, which is graded as “D” colour across the globe, meaning it is absolutely free from any colour. The next grade has a very slight trace of colour, which can be observed by any expert valuer/grading laboratory. However when set in handcrafted jewellerythese very light coloured stones do not show any colour or it is not possible to make out colour shades. These are graded as E colour or F colour stones.

Wholesale diamonds which show very little traces of colour are graded as G or H. Slightly coloured stones are graded as I, J or K colour. A stone can be found in any colour in addition to colourless. Some of the coloured stones such as pink argyle diamonds are extremely rare and valuable.

GIA Colour Scale

The Real

Wholesale diamonds with higher colour grades are rarer, in higher demand, and therefore more expensive, than lower colour grades. Oddly enough, wholesale diamonds graded Z are also rare, and the bright yellow colour is also highly valued.

A stone’s body colour is a very subjective and personal choice. A perfectly proportioned K colour will appear far more bright and beautiful than a poorly cut D colour diamond, which looks dull and lifeless.