Refers to the degree to which a diamond is colourless. Diamonds range in colour from icy winter whites to warm summer whites.
Diamonds are most commonly (but not exclusively) graded on a colour scale established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), ranging from D (colourless) to Z. Warmer coloured diamonds (K-Z) are particularly desirable when set in yellow gold. Icy winter whites (D-J) look stunning set in white gold or platinum and due to their rarity command a higher price.
Colour differences are very subtle and it is very difficult to see the difference between, say, an E and an F. Therefore, colours are graded under controlled lighting conditions and are compared to a master set for accuracy. Truly colourless stones, graded D, are highest on the Diamond colour chart
