Who doesn’t need a little sparkle in their lives? And when it comes to sparkle, diamonds are the sparkliest. But did you know a diamond’s shine can be influenced by its color? That’s why it is essential to understand the diamond grading scale for color.
Color is one of the diamond 4c’s used to assess a diamond’s quality (alongside cut, clarity and carat). Knowing how color affects the quality of a diamond can be a game-changer when shopping for diamond jewelry online, ensuring you get your money’s worth. Diamond colors are graded on a scale from D to Z. In this article, we’ll focus on the I color diamond meaning.
Understanding The GIA Color Grading for Diamonds
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is a leading geological research institute that developed the diamond grading scale for assessing diamonds.
The scale grades diamonds based on their color, or lack thereof, using the D-Z color grading system. It was developed to tackle the inconsistencies found in other grading systems. Starting at the top with the colorless D grade diamonds, the scale gradually moves through the alphabet, with Z grade diamonds showing hints of brown or light yellow.
See: Diamond Clarity and Color Chart
What is I Color Diamond?
An I color diamond falls into the ‘near colorless’ range of the diamond color scale. It has a hint of yellow but appears colorless to the naked eye. The difference in color between I grade diamonds, and those in the ‘colorless’ range is barely noticeable. That’s why ‘near colorless’ diamonds are such a hit – they offer a great balance between quality and price, given that colorless diamonds are rare and pricey.
Read About: Why Are Diamonds So Hard?
I Color Diamonds vs. Other Color Grades
Let’s look at the other colors on the grading scale to understand the value of I color diamonds. Here are the five categories:
1. Colorless (D-F)
These are completely colorless diamonds, scoring the highest color grade. While E and F diamonds fall into this category, they might also have tiny traces of color that are invisible to the naked eye and under 10x magnification.
2. Near Colorless (G-J)
G and H diamonds have a noticeable tint of color compared to the colorless diamonds. On the other hand, I and J color diamonds have a faint hint of slightly detectable color.
3. Faint (K-M)
K, L and M have a faint yellowish hue.
4. Very Light (N-R)
N to R color diamonds have a light yellow hue that is more obvious than diamonds in the faint color range.
5. Light (S-Z)
S to Z color diamonds have a brown or light yellow hue.
Diamonds that don’t fit into the D-Z color grading scale are called fancy colors. These diamonds come in all colors – yellow, orange, blue, pink, green, etc. Red diamonds are the rarest, even rarer than colorless ones!
I Color Diamond Price
An I color diamond is much cheaper than a colorless diamond (D-F range). The price difference between an I color diamond and a D color diamond is around 40%, mainly due to the slight color differences.
On average, a 1-carat I color diamond will cost around $4,200. Diamonds in this range are popular, especially for engagement rings, because they offer that ‘near colorless’ look without breaking the bank. But if you’re on a tighter budget, consider going for lab-grown I color diamonds. They’re optically, chemically and physically the same as natural diamonds but come with a friendlier price tag.
Read More: Lab Created Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds
Things To Consider When Buying Diamond Color I
Planning to buy an I color diamond? Here are some things you should consider:
- Shape: The shape of a diamond affects how it reflects color. Some cuts, like round, princess and emerald cuts, make the stone appear whiter.
- Cut: Diamonds with more facets sparkle more than those with fewer facets. Read more about types of diamond cuts here.
- Clarity: A diamond with more facets can hide impurities and inclusions, so go for a high I clarity diamond or one with more facets to mask any flaws.
- Setting: Setting a colorless diamond in yellow or rose gold will make it appear slightly yellow. On the other hand, metals like platinum or white gold will display the actual color of a diamond.
At the end of the day, the color of your diamond should reflect what you love. Pick one that fits your budget and matches your style.
FAQs
1. How much do I color diamonds cost?
A 1-carat I color diamond costs around $4,200, and prices vary based on other attributes like cut and clarity.
2. Should I buy an I color diamond?
Absolutely! Diamonds in the G-J range are super popular, especially for engagement rings. They offer a great balance of quality and value.
3. Does a diamond with I color grade exhibit sparkle?
I-color diamonds are ‘near colorless,’ but that doesn’t hinder light from passing through them, making them sparkle beautifully.
4. Is an I color diamond good?
An I color diamond is the perfect balance of quality and cost, which is why it’s so popular.
5. How rare are I diamonds?
I color diamonds are not rare. They fall in the ‘near colorless’ range which is the go-to for most people, especially those shopping for engagement rings.
