Color - the less color in a diamond, the more rare it is.

Diamonds are graded by color, starting at D and moving through the alphabet to Z.

Most diamonds possess various degrees of yellow or brown tinting.

Small, subtle differences in color can make a substantial difference in value. Although increasing shades of yellow reduce the value of a diamond, they do not necessarily reduce its beauty.

If a diamond is well cut, refraction and dispersion will often disguise certain degrees of coloration.

While most diamonds appear white/clear, virtually all diamonds display barely perceptible tints of color.

Evaluating a diamond's color for grading purposes is done by measuring the degree to which a diamond approaches colorlessness. Although it is difficult to see these minor variations, when shown side by side they become apparent.

Diamonds graded "colorless" as D, E, and F are more expensive, due to rarerity. Diamonds graded G, H & I are classified "near colorless". J starts a slight tint.
Diamonds graded from K through M show visibly more marked color, and are classified as colored. A stone of this range set into a warm 18Kt yellow gold ring looks stunning, while placed into platinum or white gold it looks just miscolored. From N on towards Z colors are increasingly more dramatic. Any colored diamond past the grade of Z is considered a Fancy Colored Diamond, and these due to rarity also commands high prices.

However, a well cut diamond with good clarity of all color grades can be uniquely dazzling, as it is the interplay of the 4Cs that determines each diamonds special beauty.