Education
Diamond Education
- Lab Diamonds
- History Of Lab Grown Diamonds
- Lab Diamond Shapes
- Lab Diamonds
- Lab Diamond Ring Guide
- Lab Diamond Carat Guide
- Lab Diamonds Color Guide
- Lab Diamond Shape Guide
- Lab Diamond Size Guide
- Lab Diamond Cut Guide
- Lab Diamond Jewelry Guide
- Lab Diamonds vs Moissanite
- Lab Diamonds vs. Real Diamonds
- Lab Grown Diamond vs. Cubic Zirconia
- Lab Diamonds vs. White Sapphires
- Lab Diamonds
- 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
- Diamond Clarity
- 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
- VS Diamonds
- VVS Diamonds
- Diamond Color
- Diamond Cut
- Diamond Cut Types
- Ideal Cut Diamonds
- Hearts and Arrows Diamonds
- What is Diamond Depth
- Diamond Table
- Lab Diamond Cut
- Antique Cut Diamonds
- Brilliant Cut Diamonds
- Rose Cut Diamonds
- What Is The Most Expensive Diamond Cut?
- What Are Step Cut Diamonds?
- Diamond Bow Ties
- How Are Diamonds Cut
- Diamond Brilliance
- Spread Diamonds
- Diamond Fire
- Crushed Ice Diamonds
- Diamond Shape
- Lab Diamond Shape
- Asscher
- Cushion
- Emerald
- Marquise
- Oval
- Pear
- Princess
- Radiant
- Round
- 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
- Diamond Girdle
- Diamond Culet
- Engraved Rings
- Fancy Colored Diamonds
- Loose Diamonds
- History Of Lab Grown Diamonds
- Natural vs Synthetic Diamonds
- Diamond Sourcing
- NY Diamond District
- Diamond Certification
- A Guide to Accent Diamonds
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
- Best Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Dainty Engagement Rings
- Best Unique Engagement Rings
- Best Traditional Diamond Engagement Rings
- Best Split Shank Diamond Engagement Rings
- Top 10 Square Halo Engagement Rings
- Top 10 Unusual Engagement Rings
- Black Diamond Engagement Rings
- Edwardian Engagement Rings
- Antique Style Engagement Rings
- 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
- Minimalistic Engagement Rings
- Big Style Engagement Rings
- Cute Style Engagement Rings
- Modern Style Engagement Rings
- Past Present and Future Rings
- Thin Engagement Rings
- Pretty Style Engagement Rings
- Double Band Engagement Rings
- 1 Carat Diamond Ring
- Top Princess Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Women's Rose Gold Engagement Rings
- Top Round Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Rings
- Top East West Engagement Rings
- Top Pave Engagement Rings
- Top Split Shank Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Unique Halo Engagement Rings
- 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


Which Diamond Color Is Best? It's Not As Simple As D Color Diamonds
What diamond color is best? If you're going for a traditional "white" diamond, the answer's easy, right? After all, white is white is white, no? Not exactly. Diamond color isn't the same as colored diamonds, and even "white" diamonds are graded on a scale. Color is one of the "four C's" (along with cut, clarity and carat), and knowing how the color scale works will help you choose a diamond that perfectly fits your personal taste and priorities — and maybe save some money in the process.
How diamond color is graded
Diamonds are graded on a spectrum: D through F diamonds are considered colorless; G through L diamonds are "near colorless;" and diamonds classed M through Z have traces of color.
With Clarity wants you to shop with confidence. That’s why we only carry diamonds graded D through L. We just can’t stand behind lower color grades because we feel that you don’t get an amount of sparkle that will make you smile each and every time you slide the ring on your finger.
Best diamond color based on GIA standards
That color spectrum was standardized by the Gemological Institute of America. Each diamond comes with a GIA certificate that includes its color grade and other important information like carat size and measurements.
According to that GIA standard, the "best" diamond color is D. (Read more about D color diamonds here.) D color diamonds are the equivalent of IF or FL grade diamonds on the clarity scale — they're very rare, and their price definitely reflects that.

However, the "best" diamond color might not be the best one for your budget.
Best diamond color based on value for your money
At With Clarity, we believe in paying for what you can see.
The truth is, the naked eye can't see the difference between several color grades. You're never going to be looking at your engagement ring under grading condition and magnified, and even with specialized gemologist tools, the difference between some grades is barely perceptible. For example: The difference between the D, E and F colors is really quite small. On an electronic colorimeter, the difference in score between D and F would be between 0.00 and 1.49.
And even G color diamonds, the most popular choice for diamond engagement rings, are considered exceptional — they have minor traces of color that can be identified only by diamond professional. Although their technical designation is "near colorless," G color diamonds don't really have a color; they're most accurately described as having a slightly warm cast. You can't really discern a G's subtle warmth unless they're placed side by side with a diamond that is truly colorless (and significantly more expensive).

So the best diamond color for your money is the lowest color grade that looks white to your eye. Color grades such as G, H and I can be great choices. Plus, there are ways to make stones look whiter — such as pairing a warm stone with a yellow gold or rose gold setting — so it's like getting a higher diamond grade without an accompanying higher price tag.
And if you want a white stone on a budget, it’s time you got to know fluorescence. Although there’s a persistent rumor going around that fluorescence is always bad, the truth is that it very rarely affects the sparkle of the stone. In fact, diamond fluorescence can also make stones in lower color grades appear one grade whiter. Have more questions? Our expert on-staff gemologists are highly experienced at working with budgets of any size, so they can answer your queries and help you find the specific stone and setting you'll love. Contact one today.
Reach Out NowLab Diamond Color & Certification
A diamond color grade is an important factor when choosing a stone. Depending on the setting, cut, carat, shape, and metal, the color grade can be a discerning factor just as well. Just like natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds too are certified and then graded for color. With an IGI certificate that talks of the four C’s, lab grown diamonds are also assessed and graded on the same parameters as earth-mined diamonds. Because they are evaluated on the same parameters, it also means that the differences with regard to their cut, clarity, color, and carat are as good as none. While the color scale from D – Z is available to choose from in a mined as well as a natural diamond, at With Clarity we only use the best quality and the best-colored diamonds, especially for you.
With a lab grown diamond too, the lesser the color, the better the grading it will receive. So while a G color natural diamond and a G color lab grown diamond looks the same and is graded on the same parameters, the only difference lies in the way they were created. Most couples prefer to get a G, H, or I color, which are near colorless. Carefully review the IGI certificate of the lab created diamonds you are interested. Our certified gemologists can also review and share their feedback on the ideal color for your budget. Keep in mind that with brilliant cut diamonds, color is better hidden by the facets, whereas with step cut diamonds like the emerald, color is more visible.
As lab diamonds are generally about 30-40% less expensive than natural diamonds, you can always utilize your budget to get a higher color grade than what you initially anticipated getting. At the same time, you can also hold the color grade constant and get a better cut, higher carat or higher clarity. Reach out today if you need more guidance on choosing a color grade for your center diamond.
FAQ’s
According to the GIA, diamonds are graded on their color with D through F being colorless and G through L being near colorless. Diamonds graded as M all the way through to Z have some traces of color. The majority of mined and lab grown diamonds are usually white and pale yellow though most shoppers prefer buying diamonds that are white to the eye. Diamonds are also available in colors known as base colors. This spectrum ranges from red, yellow, orange, green, blue, pink, purple, brown, violet, and gray.
Since D color is the highest grade when it comes to diamond color, it goes without saying that it is the most expensive. It means that the diamond is absolutely sparkling and gorgeous! With nearly no color, it also appears colorless when looked at with the naked eye or even under magnification.
All diamonds that are near colorless are the best value when it comes to a diamond. But the best color is D color which is the highest color grade.
As beautiful as they are unique, red diamonds are the rarest of colored diamonds.