Education
Diamond Education
- Diamond 4 C's
- Diamond Buying Guide
- Answers to 1 Carat Diamond Questions
- Your Guide to Buying a Diamond Online
- How to Pick the Right Diamond
- Diamond Buying Mistakes
- Real vs. Fake Diamonds
- Lab Diamond Buying Guide
- 10 Most FAQ - Diamonds
- Off Size Diamonds Guide
- Popular Diamond Cuts
- Price of a 2 Carat Diamond
- Top FAQ - Lab Diamonds
- What Is the Average Diamond Size in Engagement Rings?
- Diamond Carat
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- IF Diamonds
- FL Diamonds
- Diamond Inclusions Guide
- Flawless vs Internally Flawless
- Which Diamond Clarity Is Best?
- VS2 vs VS1: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- VVS2 vs VVS1: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- SI2 vs SI1: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- SI1 vs VS2: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- VS1 vs VVS2: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- Accent Diamond Clarity
- Lab Diamond Clarity
- SI Diamonds
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- VVS Diamonds
- Diamond Color
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- Diamond Cut Types
- Ideal Cut Diamonds
- Hearts and Arrows Diamonds
- What is Diamond Depth
- Diamond Table
- Lab Diamond Cut
- Antique Cut Diamonds
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- What Is The Most Expensive Diamond Cut?
- What Are Step Cut Diamonds?
- Diamond Bow Ties
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- Crushed Ice Diamonds
- Diamond Shape
- Lab Diamond Shape
- Asscher
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- Marquise
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- Which Diamond Cut Is Best?
- Round vs Princess Diamond Cut
- Round vs Cushion Diamond Cut
- Cushion vs Princess Diamonds
- Cushion vs Oval Cut Diamonds
- Emerald vs Asscher Cut Diamond
- Princess vs Marquis Diamonds
- Princess vs Radiant Cut Diamonds
- Cushion vs Asscher Cut Diamonds
- Emerald vs Radiant Cut Diamonds
- Oval vs Marquise Cut Diamonds
- Oval vs Pear Cut Diamonds
- Pear vs Marquise Cut Diamonds
- Emerald vs Cushion Cut Diamonds
- Elongated Cushion Cut Diamonds
- Diamond Certification
- Diamond Fluorescence
- How Diamonds Are Formed
- Diamond Pricing
- Diamond Size Chart Carat & MM
- Diamond Symmetry
- Diamond Polish
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- Engraved Rings
- Fancy Colored Diamonds
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- History Of Lab Grown Diamonds
- Natural vs Synthetic Diamonds
- Diamond Sourcing
- NY Diamond District
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Engagement Ring Education
- How To Buy Engagement Rings
- Affordable Engagement Rings
- Cost of a One Carat Diamond
- How To Buy A Lab Diamond Ring
- How to Buy An Engagement Ring In a Time Crunch
- How to Choose An Engagement Ring
- How to Pick Your Engagement Ring Budget
- Engagement Rings For Second Marriage
- Best Time to Buy An Engagement Ring
- How to Buy An Engagement Ring As a Couple
- Everything You Need to Know About Dainty Engagement Rings
- Future Mother In Law's Guide to Engagement Ring Shopping
- Engagement Ring Financing
- Why You Need an Engagement Ring Appraisal
- Best Round Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Square Cut Engagement Ring
- Top Teardrop Engagement Rings
- Best Asscher Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Oval Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Radiant Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Marquise Cut Engagement Rings
- Twisting Rings
- Best Emerald Cut Engagement Rings
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- Best Dainty Engagement Rings
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- Top 10 Square Halo Engagement Rings
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- Black Diamond Engagement Rings
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- Nature Inspired Engagement Ring
- Filigree Rings
- Art Deco Rings
- Wide Band Engagement Rings
- Infinity Engagement Rings
- Best Two Tone Diamond Engagement Rings
- Victorian Style Engagement Rings
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- Past Present and Future Rings
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- 1 Carat Diamond Ring
- Top Princess Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Women's Rose Gold Engagement Rings
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- Top Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Rings
- Top East West Engagement Rings
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- Top Split Shank Halo Engagement Rings
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- Rose Gold Pear Shaped Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Pear Shaped Engagement Rings
- Top Oval Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Engagement Rings
- Top Marquise Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
- Top Emerald Cut Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Bypass Engagement Rings
- Top Rose Gold Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
- Top Rose Gold Oval Engagement Rings
- Top Emerald Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Oval Engagement Rings
- Top Rose Gold Emerald Cut Engagement Rings
- Top Oval Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Floating Diamond Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Cut Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Princess Cut Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Simple Engagement Rings
- Vintage Style Engagement Rings
- Types of Accent Diamonds
- Everything You Need to Know Before Setting Diamonds
- Engagement Ring Prong Guide
- All About Ring Resizing
- Identifying Your Ring After A Repair
- Everything You Need to Know About Milgrain
- Everything You Need to Know About Wide Band Engagement Rings
- Eternity Rings vs Infinity Rings
- When To Propose
- What Are Baguette Diamond Engagement Rings
- What to Say When You Propose
- What Are the Groom's Parents Responsible For?
Gemstone Education
Jewelry Education
- Jewelry Buying Guide
- How To Buy Jewelry Online
- Diamond: 10th Anniversary Gifts
- Ruby: 40th Anniversary Gemstone & Jewelry
- Sapphire: 5th Anniversary Gemstone & Jewelry
- Top 10 Sapphire Earrings
- Emerald: 20th Anniversary Gemstone & Jewelry
- Top 10 Push Presents
- How To Shop For Christmas Jewelry Gifts
- How To Buy An Anniversary Band
Metal Education


Everything You Should Know Before Buying an L Color Diamond
Just like everything else in your engagement ring shopping journey, the diamond grade you select depends on your personal preference — and how you prioritize the four C's.
Choosing a loose diamond lower on the color spectrum can be one way to save money on an engagement ring, but some of those color grades come with caveats. L color diamonds are one of those — like your future in-laws, they have their pros and cons. Yeah, we said it. We’re not afraid to go there. So if you prepare yourself for family Thanksgiving, why wouldn’t you get a little background on the diamond you’re considering? Here's what you need to know about L diamonds.
What are L color diamonds?
Diamonds are graded on a spectrum: D through F diamonds are considered colorless; G through J diamonds are "near colorless;" and K through M are considered to have "faint" color. With Clarity only carries diamonds graded D through L — we want you to shop with confidence, knowing you’ll choose a brilliant stone you'll love for years.

L color diamonds sit in the middle of the "faint color" range. So what does that mean? How much color is visible in these stones? Bottom line: L color diamonds have some apparent color — a fact that comes with some considerations.
Do L color diamonds look yellow?
L color diamonds have a slightly yellow tone. Generally, there isn't really a debate about whether Ls are or aren't slightly yellow — these diamonds have enough body color that it's fairly apparent they have a tint. The color is most noticeable when viewed from the side. Some L color diamonds can also have a brownish hue. (However, yellow is more sought after than brown and the body color is less apparent in a yellow stone than a brown one.) If you’re working with one of our expert gemologists, they’ll advise you against buying an L diamond that presents with a brown tint.

How to make L color diamonds look whiter
An easy way to make L color diamonds look whiter is to choose a metal that provides less contrast. A yellow gold band can make diamonds with a slight yellow tinge appear more white. With its warm pinkish tone, rose gold is also a good setting for this aim, but yellow gold will have the most whitening effect.

Choose specific diamond cuts
Fancy-shaped diamonds (shapes other than round cut) tend to show more color. Pear, oval and marquise cuts exhibit more color near their points and edges because they’re more shallow in these areas. The princess, emerald, Asscher, radiant cut and cushion cuts reflect more color in the body. An L color diamond will look whitest in a round brilliant cut.
Make friends with fluorescence
You could also choose a diamond with fluorescence, which can make your stone look whiter. Fluorescence is simply how a diamond responds to UV light, and has no effect on its structural integrity. (Read more about Diamond Fluorescence and Grading here.) Our gemologists generally advise that if you’re considering a diamond in the Faint color range, you opt for a stone that has Medium to Strong fluorescence. This will help your diamond look up to a full color grade whiter.
Cut is everything
However you choose to prioritize the four C's, don't compromise on cut. A quality cut stone will always look better regardless of its color — when your diamond has a fantastic sparkle, its color is less focal.
Solo is probably the way to go
But it is best to avoid a halo, three stone, or pave setting with this diamond grade — they can make your diamond look more color-infused because they contrast with any accent diamonds used in the setting. (With Clarity always uses G color diamonds as accent stones.) A solitaire setting won’t have this problem, and admirers won’t have anything with which to compare your center diamond.

Are L color diamonds worth buying?
It comes down to your personal preference, but yes — especially for people who know they want a round solitaire engagement ring in yellow gold since all these preferences will make the stone appear whiter. The potential cost savings is huge — you could save for other things or reinvest the difference in a much larger stone. If you're planning to purchase a setting that will add warmth to your stone anyway (like yellow or rose gold), you might want to give serious thought to saving some coin with an L color diamond.
That being said, most of our customers considering a diamond in the Faint color range opt for a K color diamond. Since it's just one color grade higher, the price difference isn't that great, and you'll still enjoy the money-saving benefits of this color range. You can see how loose diamonds purchased at With Clarity break down by color in the chart below:
Diamonds Sales Chart

Diamond Color |
Percentage Purchased |
---|---|
D | 12% |
E | 10% |
F | 15% |
G | 13% |
H | 14% |
I | 14% |
J | 10% |
K | 8% |
L | 4% |
Feel like this is a lot to remember? Then just get one of our expert gemologists to do the hunting for a good L diamond for you. All you need to do is fill out the form below with a little about your diamond and budget preferences. They'll go sorting through all of our loose diamonds and email you three different suggestions tailored to your preferences.
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