D-E-F   Colorless

G-H      Near Colorless

I-J       Above Average

K-L      Average

M         Below Average

Diamonds are graded on a color scale established by the Gemological Institute (G.I.A.) which ranges from D (colorless) to Z.  Warmer colored diamonds (M-Z) are particularly desirable when set in yellow gold.  Icy winter whites (D-L) look stunning set in white gold, platinum or yellow gold.

Color differences are very subtle and it is very difficult to see the difference between, say, an E and an F.  Therefore, colors are graded under controlled lighting conditions and are compared to a master set for accuracy.

Although the majority of diamonds appear to be colorless to the untrained eye, most actually contain tinges of yellow and brown. Truly colorless diamonds, those in the D-E-F range, and particularly in the higher clarities, are truly rare, and consequently extremely valuable.  Color, however, ultimately comes down to personal taste.  Ask a jeweler to show you a variety of color grades next to one another to help you determine your color preference.  Due to the difficulty for a novice to tell subtle differences among color grades, it is important to have a GIA Report as your quality assurance for both color and clarity.  The only color grading system we use at Empire Diamond is the G.I.A. Grading System. Experience has proven that other laboratory reports are sometimes shown ( using G.I.A. terminology ) with color grades 2 or 3 levels higher than a G.I.A. report on the same diamond.  The only way one can be sure about the color grade of a diamond is with a G.I.A. report.

Nature has also created diamonds in intense shades of blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, or - rarest of all - red.  These diamonds are called "fancy colors" and are extremely rare and highly treasured.