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Looking to buy the most exquisite ring to signify your love? I don’t have to tell you about the importance of color and how it can influence a diamond’s aesthetic. While not exactly absent of color, G color diamonds offer outstanding looks with a lower price tag than diamonds in the “colorless” range, which means they are certainly worth considering to fulfill your diamond desires.
A well cut G color diamond can look absolutely gorgeous, all while costing less than their colorless cousins, such as F color grade.
Below, we’ve delved deep into everything you need to know about G color diamonds, from exactly how they compare to other diamond colors to recommended shapes and when it’s worth it for your one true love and more.
What Is an F Color Diamond and How Does It Compare?
Examples of increased presence of nitrogen in a diamond
When diamonds are evaluated and graded for quality by a trusted gemological lab, such as American Gem Society Laboratories (AGS) and Gemological Institute of America (GIA), they are typically accompanied by a certificate listing their cut quality, clarity, carat weight and color. Any diamond without this isn’t worth any meaningful discussion.
Reputable labs grade diamonds for color using a scale from D to Z, this originated at the Gemological Institute of America in the 50’s.
The highest grade on the scale is a D, which indicates that a diamond is as colorless as naturally possible. Only a minuscule percentage of diamonds receive this grade, making D color stones both extremely rare and pretty costly.
Majority of diamonds have a faint yellow tint, due to the nitrogen atoms in their atomic makeup - however, the top three colors D, E, and F are considered colorless. G, on the other hand, is the highest grade in the near-colorless range, which also includes their siblings H, I and J.
Take a look at this range of diamond colors:
For those unfamiliar with grading, a diamond’s color is evaluated in comparison to other diamonds with known grades, known in the industry as a diamond master set. With such small discrepancies, it’s the only way to see the variance in color that sets aparts each of the GIA color grades.
Diamonds with higher levels of yellow and brown, as well as colors other than yellow or brown are categorized as fancy colored diamonds and graded using a different scale.
Are G Color Diamonds Worth it?
The excellent color of an G color diamond is kinder to the bank account than most. Although G color diamonds are usually less expensive than their colorless cousins, they are more than H, I and J color diamonds.
For those buying, inconsequential differences in color and clarity grades result in huge differences in price. Yet, for many, these differences have little or no effect on the diamond’s visual appearance.
Other components, particularly diamond cut quality, play a more prominent role in determining brilliance, fire and scintillation - the true indicator of sparkle and shine.
Will anybody be able to tell that your diamond is an G color when set in an engagement ring? If you’re looking to achieve as close to icy excellence as possible, I’d recommend that you set your diamonds in platinum or another white metal. This will mean that professionals will be able to see your diamond for all its near colorless beauty, but won’t quite be able to put their finger on it exactly without closer expectation.
It’s worth noting that other quality factors make up the four Cs and should always be considered too. A color G diamond will be near colorless, regardless of its shape. That’s not to say it cannot be augmented by a meticulously chosen cut.
Perhaps the biggest contrast for G color diamonds is price – this color is cheaper than any colorless grade, that much is true, and the difference can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
However, if you have worked out that your budget permits you to go no higher than the near colorless range, a diamond graded G is the closest you can get to colorless, but without the price tag.
One thing I will urge you to do is make sure all other aspects of your diamond’s quality are also investment grade. Explore your options with jewelers that provide detailed specifications and unrivaled expertise for the art, like Whiteflash, for instance. Don’t take it from me, there is simply no better way to understand the Whiteflash experience than by reading actual customer reviews.
The bottom line is that the difference that a G color makes to your diamond’s beauty is less noticeable than the difference that cut quality makes. If you want an almost colorless diamond at an accessible price point, I will say that the G color is a good choice for your diamond.
What Enhances G Color Diamonds?
Color is one of the most misunderstood aspects of buying a diamond. In my eyes, it is a pivotal factor in determining how exquisite a diamond looks when raised for a toast or in the most spectacular of showcases. Cut quality undeniably has the most weight on the overall beauty.
That’s not to say I am oblivious to the diamond enthusiasts who require the psychological assurance of buying the absolute best of the best. In these scenarios, paying a huge price premium for high color diamonds is perfectly fine. As long as you are aware of the rarity and significance of such a treasure.
If you have already set your budget for an engagement ring and find that a dreamy G color diamond is achievable, without compromising the diamond’s cut quality or carat weight, then I implore you to invest in such a timeless piece.
If you had always fancied your engagement rings with halo diamonds, the G color grade is a safe bet. Most of these settings use diamonds in the F to G range, meaning a G color center stone won’t look overly yellow or dark in comparison. That can mean substantial savings without sacrificing beauty, which is exactly why so many savvy shoppers find a G Color diamond to be of magnificent value.
One thing to remember is that any yellow or rose gold setting will create the appearance of a slightly yellow stone, so when investing in an G color grade, enhance its near-colorless hue with the right band.
For sensible shoppers, G color diamonds are almost indistinguishable to higher color diamonds. This means you can save money by making smarter buying decisions and use the leftover dollar for an extended honeymoon, or another dazzling jewel.
Stepping down to the G color grade could save you a modest amount of money. However, you need to ensure your diamonds are not just colorless but also flawless and expertly cut by a talented jeweler.