Using the GIA scale, diamonds range in color from D-Z. There is no A, B, or C. D is the most colorless and Z the most yellow. The yellowness in diamonds is a result of more nitrogen in the rock and the more yellow a stone is, the less the value to a certain extent.

Colors D, E, and F are the colorless colors. These stones present no or very little color to most people under correct viewing conditions. They are also very translucent and allow for maximum, color dispersion. This is what happens when you "flash" the diamond under bright light and get flashes of rainbow-like color. These stones bring a premium in price but to those who might be especially sensitive to color, are worth it.

Colors G, H, I, and J represent the near-colorless diamonds. These stones will face up white for the most part (especially G and H) and will not bring the premium in price that a colorless stone will. Again, the whiter the diamond the more expensive, so in this range J is definitely going to be the price leader.

While everyone might like to have colorless diamonds they are not necessary. In fact, many people cannot distinguish between a D and H color stone once they are mounted. Keep this fact in mind when the sales clerk tries to get you into that D color stone with a great financing plan!