Complete Guide to G Color Diamond

While colored gemstones must be saturated to be of any value, with diamonds, it’s all about the absence of color. The less color a diamond displays, the more it’s worth. Even though a D color diamond takes first place on the color grading scale, a G color diamond offers an excellent value for less money.

If you’re interested in buying a G color diamond, this article will tell you everything you need to know.

• What is a G Color Diamond?
• Are G Color Diamonds Good or Bad?
• How Much Do They Cost?
• G Color and Diamond Shapes
• Seven Insider Tips for Purchasing
• Setting a G Color Diamond
• Talk to an Expert

What Is a G Color Diamond?

A G color diamond is the highest letter of the near colorless category of diamonds (G, H, I, and J). Color is one of the most important quality-determining factors of a diamond, next to clarity, cut, and carat weight, or the “Four Cs.” To understand what a G color diamond is, we’ll have to first go over the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)’s color grading scheme.

Gemologists use GIA’s color grading scale to determine how clear and colorless a diamond is. The scale starts with the letter D and ends with the letter Z. Keep in mind that this color grading scheme only works with colorless diamonds. Fancy diamonds, which come in a variety of colors, are an exception.

The scale consists of five categories: colorless, near colorless, faint, very light, and light. The rarest and most valuable diamonds belong in the colorless category (D, E, and F). A diamond that is graded as G color means it is in the first of the near colorless category (G, H, I, and J). Most reputable jewelry stores only offer diamonds ranging from D to J color grades.

But what does near colorless mean exactly? A G color diamond may have traces of yellow or brown due to the presence of nitrogen in its atomic structure. Chemical impurities absorb blue and purple light, causing the diamond to display a slight yellow tint and dramatically decrease the diamond’s value.

The yellow undertone in near colorless diamonds isn’t visible to the naked eye, but gemologists can use special magnifying equipment to determine subtle differences.

Top Tip: A G color diamond represents that sweet spot between expensive colorless diamonds and diamonds with a visible yellow tint. It offers the perfect balance between quality and value.

Are G Color Diamonds Good or Bad?

If you’re considering purchasing a G color diamond, here are a few factors you should know.

Pros of G Color Diamonds

• G color diamonds are less expensive than D, E, and F color diamonds, despite looking nearly identical to the naked eye.
• They come in various settings, such as solitaire, halo, and side stone.
• G graded diamonds are more available than colorless diamonds, which are extremely rare compared to the total diamond quantity in the world.
• Various cuts work well with G graded diamonds, and some can even make the diamond appear less colored.

Cons of G Color Diamonds

• If you want the perfect value, it’s better to go with colorless diamonds. Even though it’s hard to tell the difference between colorless and near colorless diamonds, it still exists.
• Although a G graded diamond doesn’t belong in the colorless category, it can still be expensive compared to H, I, and J diamonds.
• If you want a yellow gold or rose gold setting, a G color diamond might not be the best idea, as it may increase the visibility of the yellow tint within the diamond.
• The other “4 Cs” can make a difference in the diamond’s overall visual appeal. Even if a diamond has a G color, it needs to be in good shape to minimize the yellow tint.

How Much Do G Color Diamonds Cost?

In terms of color grade, G color diamonds are the most popular. That’s because even though an untrained eye couldn’t distinguish between a G color and an H color diamond, the minimal difference in color causes a major price shift.

Here’s what you can expect to pay for a G color diamond on average. For this chart, we’ll use G color diamonds with a round cut and VS2 clarity. 

Carat Weight	Price
0.50 carats	$1,200
1.00 carats	$6,000
1.50 carats	$11,000
2.00 carats	$22,000
2.50 carats	$38,000
3.00 carats	$50,000
3.50 carats	$80,000
4.00 carats	$107,000
4.50 carats	$150,000
5.00 carats	$175,000

Keep in mind that these prices vary depending on the diamond’s quality and how well it was cut. It’s also the average price for a loose G color diamond. If you want to buy a G graded diamond with settings, it will cost more. Prices for diamond engagement rings are different in every jewelry store, so your decision shouldn’t only depend on this table.

G Color vs. H Color

As we mentioned, it would be hard to distinguish between a G color diamond and an H color diamond with the naked eye. Still, these two color grades are not the same. Here are the basic three differences between G and H color diamonds:

The absence of color

Even though both G and H color diamonds belong in the near colorless category, they still contain traces of yellow in their structure. Since the G color grade precedes the H color grade, it shows less color, making it more valuable. You definitively wouldn’t be able to pair an H color diamond with rose gold or yellow gold settings.

G color diamonds are more expensive

Since G color diamonds are more colorless than H color diamonds, they’re worth more. Whereas round-cut 1-carat G color diamonds cost $5,000 to $7,000, H color diamonds with the same carat weight and cut can go from $4,000 to $6,000. Of course, the total price depends on a number of other factors. If you want a cheaper diamond engagement ring, you should go with an H color diamond.

G color diamonds are more popular

Another major difference is their demand. G color diamonds are far more sought after because they offer a better value for the money. They’re also less expensive than D, F, and E color diamonds.

Understanding GH Color Diamond

Distinguishing a G color diamond and an H color diamond can be challenging, even for gemologists. That’s why we have GH color diamonds. Although it’s not an official part of the GIA color grading scale, a GH color simply represents the color between G and H. Others refer to this color as a G/H color, a G-H color, or a G H color.

You won’t find many diamonds with the GH color grade simply because not a lot of jewelers use it. If you do stumble upon it on an online jewelry store or a website, you’ll know what it means.

Are G Color Diamonds Expensive?

G color diamonds are on average more affordable than diamonds classified as colorless.

Let’s compare the average price of a G color diamond and that of colorless diamonds. While it’s possible to find round-cut 1-carat F or E color diamonds for $5,000, they’re more likely to command a higher price. If we were to look at D color diamonds, we would see that the prices are drastically increased. A 1-carat round-cut D color diamond can cost between $12,500 and $15,000, more than twice as expensive as a G color diamond.

In comparison to the prices of D color diamonds, G color diamonds aren’t so expensive. To be more precise, their prices are lower by 10% to 25%.

That being said, G color diamonds are more expensive than H, I, and J color diamonds. Depending on the diamond’s other characteristics, H-J color diamonds may only cost a few thousand dollars. H color diamonds can cost 15% to 30% less than D color diamonds, while J color diamonds go for an even lower price.

G Color and Diamond Shapes

If you want a G color diamond, choosing the right shape is essential. The diamond’s cut is the most important characteristic because it can determine how the entire diamond will look. Here are some diamond shapes that go well with G color diamonds and some that you should avoid:

Round G Color Diamond

There’s a good reason the round brilliant cut is the most popular. Not only is it universally flattering on all finger shapes and sizes, but it also allows a high degree of light to travel through the diamond, making it as sparkly as possible. Since it reflects more light, a round cut can conceal any traces of yellow. That’s why the round brilliant cut is perfect for G color diamonds.

Princess G Color Diamond

The princess cut is another good option for a G color diamond. Not only are they exceptionally brilliant, but they will also conceal any traces of yellow in the diamond. The princess cut is also the most popular fancy cut.

Pear, Oval, and Marquise G Color Diamonds

With pear, oval, and marquise cuts, it’s all about the length, so they may not be the best choice for G color diamonds. Because they show more color, they would maximize the yellow tint and make it seem more saturated than it actually is. This happens because they have sharp edges, where the color is usually visible.

Emerald and Asscher G Color Diamonds

If you want a G color diamond, stay clear of step cuts, like the emerald cut and the Asscher cut. They show more color because they have large facets. Since they have a flat surface, they reflect less light than round brilliant cuts, making them less sparkly.

Seven Insider Tips When Buying G Color Diamond

If you’ve decided to buy a G color diamond, here are seven important tips to keep in mind and make your shopping experience easier:

1. Buy Antique Diamonds

For those who want to avoid all the complicated matters of shopping for a G color diamond, buying an antique diamond is the answer.

Antique diamonds are handcrafted because modern diamond cutting equipment wasn’t developed until the 1950s. For this reason, antique cuts reflect light differently. For example, the old European cut, the antique version of the round brilliant cut, allows more light to travel through the stone. That’s why antique diamonds appear much whiter than modern, lab-grown diamonds.

Not to mention that an antique ring is unique, so you will have an engagement ring like no other.

2. Shop in Person

You need to be extra careful when shopping for a G color diamond. It’s easy to Photoshop the diamond’s color, making it appear whiter than it truly is. That’s why shopping for the diamond in person is always a better idea. If you find a G color diamond engagement ring that you really like online, you can always ask to see the ring in person before making the purchase.

3. Set the Diamond in Platinum or White Gold

One crafty way to minimize any hints of yellow within the diamonds is with a white setting. Setting the ring in platinum or white gold will make the yellow color less obvious. On the other hand, yellow and rose gold settings will make the stone look darker because the gold color will reflect on the stone.

4. Get the Round Brilliant Cut

As we already explained, how a diamond is cut greatly affects the diamond’s true color. If you want to buy a G color diamond, the best way to hide any traces of yellow is with a round brilliant cut. That’s because this cut is excellent at concealing yellow or brown coloration. If a diamond has a high-quality cut, it can look as colorless as a D color diamond.

5. Ask for a GIA Certification

Many jewelers say that a diamond certification makes the fifth “C.” Only professional gemologists are authorized to grade diamond color. If you see that a diamond has a “G-J” color range instead of a specific color grade, you’ll know that the diamond isn’t verified by GIA. Also, if you can see the yellow tint without magnification, it’s not a G color diamond.

6. Don’t Go Overboard With the Size

No matter what kind of diamond engagement ring you want to buy, remember that the bigger the diamond, the more obvious its inclusions will be. This also applies to diamonds with a yellow tint. The more carat weight increases, the more detectable the color will be. To stay safe, you can’t go wrong with a 1-carat or a 1.50-carat diamond.

7. Choose the Right Settings

Finally, as with any diamond, choosing the right settings that flatter the diamond is key.

Advice for Setting a G Color Diamond Into an Engagement Ring

The great thing about G color diamonds is that their slight yellow tints aren’t visible to the naked eye. This allows you to choose from a variety of settings.

G color diamonds would look wonderful in halo-style settings, especially if the halo is set with smaller diamonds.

For example, take a look at the Marino ring. It features a G color diamond with an antique cushion cut, 1.10 carats, and SI1 clarity. The diamond is GIA-certified, and it’s set in platinum. This ring looks absolutely stunning from every angle.

Halo settings are another good choice because the halo will mask any yellow impurities. Simply put, you can’t see any traces of color when you view the diamond from the top. That’s why brilliance is so essential. It masks tiny hints of color.

If you were to view the stone from the side, you might be able to see some color. However, the yellow tint will be completely hidden if there is a halo around the diamond.

Solitaire settings are another great choice, putting the diamond at the center of attention. Depending on the size of the diamond, you can choose between 4-prong or 6-prong settings. Even pave-set and channel-set rings would look fabulous with a G color diamond.

Do G Color Diamonds Look Yellow?

People planning to buy diamonds outside the colorless category always worry about their diamonds being yellow in person. However, you won’t have to worry about this with G color diamonds. As we already explained, if there is a slight yellow undertone in the diamond, it can only be detected in a gemological lab. Any presence of color wouldn’t be noticeable in a normal environment.

Moreover, even the faintest hint of yellow only becomes detectable when you place the diamond upside down or on the side. The diamond will look perfectly colorless from the top, so there’s no need to worry.

Talk to a Diamond Expert

There are many reasons why you should buy a G graded diamond instead of a diamond from the D-E category. They offer nearly identical quality colorless diamonds and are much more inexpensive.

If you’re interested in buying a G color diamond but you’re not sure where to start, you can always talk to one of the diamond experts at Diamond Estate Jewelry. Just fill out the form below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.