What are the 4Cs color grades?
March 31, 2024The 4Cs of diamonds refer to Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat weight, which are used to assess the quality of a diamond.
Specifically for Color, which seems to be your focus, diamonds are graded based on the absence of color. A perfectly colorless diamond is the highest grade, and the presence of color signifies a lower grade. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamond color on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light color).
Here is a brief overview of the color grades:
D, E, F
Colorless. D being the highest grade, these diamonds are virtually colorless to the unaided eye.
K, L, M
Faint. A slight tint of color is visible, often a pale yellow, which can be more noticeable in larger diamonds.
S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Light. A light color is visible. These diamonds have a more pronounced color.
G, H, I, J
Near Colorless. Minor differences between these grades are difficult to detect except by a trained eye. These diamonds offer good value with a slight trace of color.
N, O, P, Q, R
Very Light. Color is easier to see. These diamonds have a noticeable color tint.