Diamond Color Chart: A Complete Guide to Lab Grown Diamond Color
If you're shopping for a lab grown diamond, the color chart is one of the first things you'll encounter. It can look complicated at first, but once you understand what the grades mean, you'll know exactly what to look for. This guide breaks down the diamond color chart, explains how it relates to cut and clarity, and helps you choose a stone that fits your budget and your taste.
What Is the Diamond Color Chart?
The diamond color chart is a scale that grades how colorless a diamond is. It runs from D (completely colorless) to Z (noticeably yellow or brown). The less color a diamond has, the higher its grade and, generally, the higher its price.
For lab grown diamonds, the same scale applies. Lab grown stones are graded by the same standards as natural ones, so a D-color lab grown diamond is just as colorless as a D-color natural diamond.
Diamond Color Grades Explained
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| D-F | Colorless. No visible color to the naked eye, even under magnification. |
| G-J | Near colorless. Slight color may be visible under magnification, but not to the eye. |
| K-M | Faint color. A slight yellow tint may be visible to the eye. |
| N-Z | Noticeable color. The yellow or brown tint is visible without magnification. |
For most buyers, G-J offers the best balance of value and appearance. The color difference between D and G is invisible to the naked eye in a set ring, so you can put the savings toward a larger carat or better cut.
How Color Relates to Cut and Clarity
The diamond color chart doesn't exist in isolation. Color, cut, and clarity work together to determine how a diamond looks.
Cutย affects how light moves through the stone. A well-cut diamond with a slightly lower color grade can look brighter than a poorly cut diamond with a higher color grade.
Clarityย measures internal inclusions and surface blemishes. Most lab grown diamonds are eye-clean, meaning any inclusions are invisible without magnification. At Ecglosty, every stone is IGI certified, so you know exactly what you're getting.
Diamond Shapes and Color
Different diamond shapes show color differently. Some shapes hide color better than others.
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Round brilliant: The most forgiving shape for color. The brilliant cut masks slight yellow tints well.
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Princess, cushion, radiant: These cuts also hide color effectively due to their facet patterns.
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Emerald and Asscher: Step cuts have large, open facets that make color more visible. If you choose these shapes, consider a higher color grade.
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Oval, pear, marquise: Elongated shapes can show more color at the pointed ends. A near-colorless grade usually works well.
At Ecglosty, we offer lab grown diamonds in a full range of shapes, including marquise, emerald cut, radiant cut, princess cut, and cushion cut, all available in 14K or 18K white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum.
Is a Lab Grown Diamond a Real Diamond?
Yes. A lab grown diamond is a real diamond. It has the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as a mined diamond. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) officially classifies lab-created diamonds as real diamonds.
The only difference is origin. Lab grown diamonds are created in controlled environments using advanced technology, while mined diamonds form underground over billions of years. Both are 100% carbon crystals and rank 10/10 on the Mohs hardness scale.
Diamond Cuts and Shapes: A Quick Reference
When shopping for a lab grown diamond, you'll also encounter terms like cut and shape. They mean different things.
Shapeย refers to the outline of the diamond, such as round, oval, emerald, or pear.
Cutย refers to how well the diamond is faceted and proportioned. A well-cut diamond reflects light better and appears more brilliant.
Popular shapes include:
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Marquise diamond: An elongated shape with pointed ends
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Emerald cut diamond: A step cut with long, rectangular facets
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Radiant cut diamond: A hybrid of emerald and round cuts
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Princess cut diamond: A square cut with sharp corners
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Cushion cut diamond: A pillow-shaped cut with rounded corners
How to Choose the Right Color Grade
Here's a simple rule of thumb:
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If you want the best value: Choose G-J color. The difference from D-F is invisible to the naked eye in a set ring.
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If you're buying an emerald or Asscher cut: Choose G or higher, since step cuts show color more easily.
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If you're buying a yellow gold setting: You can go slightly lower on the color scale, since the warm metal blends with any faint tint.
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If you're buying platinum or white gold: Stick with G or higher for a crisp, icy look.
Every Ecglosty piece is available in 14K or 18K white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum, so you can match the metal to your color grade and style.
Why IGI Certification Matters
When you buy a lab grown diamond, the certificate tells you exactly what you're getting. IGI (International Gemological Institute) is one of the leading authorities in diamond grading. An IGI certificate verifies the diamond's 4Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.
At Ecglosty, every stone is IGI certified. That means you can compare grades across different stones with confidence, knowing the assessment was done by an independent lab.
Final Thoughts
The diamond color chart is a tool, not a rulebook. For most buyers, a near-colorless grade (G-J) offers the best combination of beauty and value. The shape you choose, the metal you set it in, and the cut quality all affect how the final piece looks.
If you're ready to explore lab grown diamonds, browse our collection of lab grown diamond engagement rings, earrings, and jewelry. Every piece is IGI certified and available in your choice of 14K or 18K gold or platinum.
Information current as of September 2026.