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What Is An I Color Diamond?

By:  Jane Olagunju

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What Is An I Color Diamond

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.

Different Types and Colors of Diamonds

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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