Color
Like cut, color is another of the “Cs” of choosing quality gemstones. The color of the gemstone makes a large impact on the value and demand of the stone or the jewelry it is set in.
When speaking of diamonds in particular, color is described by a letter from D to Z. The letters D, E and F describe a colorless (or white) diamond, D being the most colorless pure white diamond available.
The letters G through J describe near colorless diamonds. These diamonds are still white, but may have a slight tint to them.
Next, K through M are used to describe a faint yellow colored diamond, while the letters N through R describe very light yellow diamonds.
The last color range is letters S through Z which describe light yellow diamonds, obviously becoming more and more yellow as the alphabet comes to an end. The diamonds in this range are clearly yellow to the naked eye.
Generally speaking, the whiter the diamond the more expensive and valuable it is. However, diamonds also come in rare fancy colors (black, gray, red, green, etc.) and because of their rarity these are also very valuable diamonds. Always keep color in mind when shopping for diamond jewelry.
