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 colour? That’s why it is essential to understand the diamond grading scale for colour.
Colour is one of the diamond 4c’s used to assess a diamond’s quality (alongside cut, clarity and carat). Knowing how colour affects the quality of a diamond can be a game-changer when shopping for diamond jewellery online, ensuring you get your money’s worth. Diamond colours are graded on a scale from D to Z. In this article, we’ll focus on the I colour diamond meaning.
Understanding The GIA Colour 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 colour, or lack thereof, using the D-Z colour grading system. It was developed to tackle the inconsistencies found in other grading systems. Starting at the top with the colourless 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 Colour Chart
What is I Colour Diamond?
An I colour diamond falls into the ‘near colourless’ range of the diamond colour scale. It has a hint of yellow but appears colourless to the naked eye. The difference in colour between I grade diamonds, and those in the ‘colourless’ range is barely noticeable. That’s why ‘near colourless’ diamonds are such a hit – they offer a great balance between quality and price, given that colourless diamonds are rare and pricey.
Read About: Why Are Diamonds So Hard?
I Colour Diamonds vs. Other Colour Grades
Let’s look at the other colours on the grading scale to understand the value of I colour diamonds. Here are the five categories:
1. Colourless (D-F)
These are completely colourless diamonds, scoring the highest colour grade. While E and F diamonds fall into this category, they might also have tiny traces of colour that are invisible to the naked eye and under 10x magnification.
2. Near Colourless (G-J)
G and H diamonds have a noticeable tint of colour compared to the colourless diamonds. On the other hand, I and J colour diamonds have a faint hint of slightly detectable colour.
3. Faint (K-M)
K, L and M have a faint yellowish hue.
4. Very Light (N-R)
N to R colour diamonds have a light yellow hue that is more obvious than diamonds in the faint colour range.
5. Light (S-Z)
S to Z colour diamonds have a brown or light yellow hue.
Diamonds that don’t fit into the D-Z colour grading scale are called fancy colours. These diamonds come in all colours – yellow, orange, blue, pink, green, etc. Red diamonds are the rarest, even rarer than colourless ones!
I Colour Diamond Price
An I colour diamond is much cheaper than a colourless diamond (D-F range). The price difference between an I colour diamond and a D colour diamond is around 40%, mainly due to the slight colour differences.
On average, a 1-carat I colour diamond will cost around $4,200. Diamonds in this range are popular, especially for engagement rings, because they offer that ‘near colourless’ look without breaking the bank. But if you’re on a tighter budget, consider going for lab-grown I colour 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 Colour I
Planning to buy an I colour diamond? Here are some things you should consider:
- Shape: The shape of a diamond affects how it reflects colour. 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 colourless 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 colour of a diamond.
At the end of the day, the colour of your diamond should reflect what you love. Pick one that fits your budget and matches your style.
FAQs
1. How much do I colour diamonds cost?
A 1-carat I colour diamond costs around $4,200, and prices vary based on other attributes like cut and clarity.
2. Should I buy an I colour 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 colour grade exhibit sparkle?
I-colour diamonds are ‘near colourless,’ but that doesn’t hinder light from passing through them, making them sparkle beautifully.
4. Is an I colour diamond good?
An I colour diamond is the perfect balance of quality and cost, which is why it’s so popular.
5. How rare are I diamonds?
I colour diamonds are not rare. They fall in the ‘near colourless’ range which is the go-to for most people, especially those shopping for engagement rings.
