DIAMOND COLOR REVIEW

By Matt Ubertini Staff Gemologist Matt brings over 18 years of experience working with top diamond manufacturers and jewelers in NYC's Diamond District. With graduate gemologist degrees from both the Gemological Institute of America and the International School of Gemology, Matt breaks down complex topics using real-world insights that are easy to understand.

You’ve probably heard the terms "colorless" (D–F) and "near colorless" (G–J) before—but what do they really mean? These labels can feel vague, especially when big price differences exist between the grades. Online diamond photos often add to the confusion, since images are typically taken in controlled light boxes, making a poor diamond look great—or a great diamond look average.

In this article, I’ll help you visualize how diamond color actually appears across the GIA grading scale and share feedback I’ve received from jewelers about how clients respond to each grade. I’ll also highlight some excellent value picks in the “faint yellow” range for buyers who aren’t overly color-sensitive.

TOP VIEW

Working closely with NYC diamond wholesalers gave me the rare opportunity to view a full lineup of GIA-certified round brilliant diamonds—about 2 carats each—from D to N color under standardized daylight fluorescent lighting. All diamonds were matched for shape and size to keep the comparison fair. Below is a photo showing the full color range, with the grading light positioned directly overhead.

Top view of round diamonds compared side by side from D color through N color graded diamonds.

ANGLE VIEW

The top-down view is helpful, since that’s how a diamond is most often seen when set in a ring. However, this is not how GIA grades color. When viewed at an angle, the sparkle subsides, making it easier to detect true color. Light no longer masks the hue, and subtle variations become more noticeable.

Angle view of round diamonds compared side by side from D color through N color graded diamonds.

SIDE VIEW

Turn the diamonds fully on their side and the color differences become crystal clear. This view reveals the true body color without light interference. Around I or J color, the yellow hue starts to show—but it's still faint. Below, you’ll find detailed video and commentary on each range.

Side view of round diamonds compared side by side from D color through N color graded diamonds.

D, E, F

D Color – Completely colorless and the rarest of all grades. Customers who choose D often do so for the prestige, though the difference isn’t always visible to the naked eye. Personally, I’d put that premium toward size or clarity if I had to choose.

E Color – Nearly indistinguishable from D, even under close comparison. A great alternative when D isn’t available or is out of budget.

F Color – The last grade within the “colorless” range. Still a fantastic choice, often preferred for its balance of value and purity.

G, H, I, J

This group is classified as “near colorless.” In typical lighting conditions, these diamonds still appear white. If you compare G to J, the difference is slight. But if you place a J next to a D, you’ll begin to see some warmth.

K, L, M, N

K – Slight yellow visible from the side, but still appears white from the top to many buyers. A great value if you're not color-sensitive.

L – Slightly more warmth than K, especially from the side. Many buyers use this grade to unlock larger sizes within budget.

M – Warm tone visible from both side and top. Often used in vintage or larger carat styles where color adds character or budget is the priority.

Conclusion

Once a diamond is mounted in a setting, detecting its color grade becomes much harder—one of the reasons GIA only grades loose stones. If budget is tight, consider sliding down one color grade to free up budget for carat weight or clarity.