The Definitive Guide to D Color Diamonds

In this definitive guide, Benjamin Khordipour will walk you through everything you need to know about D color diamonds.

With so much information out there, our aim is to provide the most clear and accurate guide to D color diamonds. Benjamin is a well-respected and highly experienced diamond expert, so rest assured that by the end of this guide, you’ll have an excellent understanding of these top-quality stones.

Pros and Cons of D Color Diamonds
Should You Buy a D Color Diamond?
How Much Do D Color Diamonds Cost?
Shop D Color Diamond Rings
Speak With an Expert

What Are D Color Diamonds?

D color diamonds are the most colorless diamonds in existence. The GIA grades diamond colors from D to Z based on the body color of the actual diamond material.

Be sure to not confuse diamond color with fire, or the measure of colored light reflected by the diamond.

Pros and Cons of D Color Diamonds

Like anything in life, D color diamonds come with their own positives and negatives.

Pros

• D color diamonds are extremely rare making them more valuable and meaningful. 
• There is always a market for rare diamonds, and natural diamond prices generally increase over time, meaning that D color diamonds can be a good investment.

Cons

• Some diamonds with lower color grades may appear to be of a higher color grade. D color diamonds may not be worth the extra cost if your primary concern is optics.

• They are the most expensive diamond color available.

• You or your loved one may prefer the aesthetics of lower color grades. Especially when paired with yellow gold or rose gold settings, some people simply prefer their diamond to have a tint.

Should You Buy a D Color Diamond?

The reasons for which it will be the right time will differ from person to person, but there are some general guidelines to help navigate this question.

Purchasing a D color diamond is probably not right for you if:

• You’re pairing the diamond with yellow or rose gold.
• Money is a strong consideration.
• You care more about optics than labels.

If however you’re willing to spend the extra money and you’re not pairing the stone with yellow or rose gold, then a D color diamond may be right for you.

The best advice anybody can receive when purchasing any kind of diamond is to ensure you have a certified diamond and that the seller provides you with said certifications. The next consideration surrounds the 4 C’s; color, clarity, carat, and cut. To get the best deal you should balance the quality of these four factors as they are the biggest influencers of price. It’s a good idea to check the return policy whether buying online or in person. Finally, it is crucial that you do your research and only purchase from a trusted jeweler.

If you’re ready to buy your own D color diamond, then there’s no better place to start than with Estate Diamond Jewelry. With over 40 years of experience and an excellent team of expert jewelers, you can be confident that with EDJ you’re in good hands. Shop our collection of D color diamond rings here, or contact one of our diamond experts using the contact form.

How Much Do D Color Diamonds Cost?

D color diamonds are the most expensive diamonds available, ranging wildly depending on factors like cut, carat, and clarity. Additional factors like symmetry and fluorescence can influence the price to a lesser degree.

Assuming a similar cut, carat, and clarity, the price you’d pay for a G color diamond (the highest color grade of the near-colorless tier) would be approximately 10% to 15% less than its D color counterpart on average. To extend the comparison, a J color diamond (the lowest color grade of the near-colorless tier) may cost nearly half as much as its D color counterpart.

Reference the table below for the average prices by carat based on current prices and market trends for round diamonds with D color, VS2 clarity, and excellent cut grades.

Although the data may be messy to process and a bit difficult to find, one thing is certainly clear; the price of natural diamonds (especially rare ones) tends to increase over time.

Shop D Color Diamond Rings

For those interested in purchasing a rare D color diamond ring, check out some of the pieces from our collection below. These stunning engagement rings all feature GIA-certified D color diamonds.

D Color Diamonds Insider Tips

Leverage the years of experience and knowledge of our diamond and jewelry experts by utilizing the following tips:

• Avoid lab-grown diamonds as they become nearly valueless once purchased.
• Don’t use D color diamonds with rose or yellow gold settings.
• Compromise on the stone’s shape, clarity, cut, and carat to balance out the price.
• If you’re not concerned with prestige and rarity, consider an E or F color to save money.
• Request proof of the stone’s details including its origin as certified by the GIA.
• If other stones will accompany the D color diamond, then make sure their color grades are D, E, or F.

D Color Diamonds vs. E Color Diamonds

D and E color diamonds are indistinguishable by the naked eye. Both grades fall under the “colorless” category, but E diamonds will of course have a very slight yellow tint to them. The touch of yellow found in E color diamonds would only be visible by an expert gemologist using very sophisticated equipment.

Although their optics are quite similar, the price difference between D and E color diamonds is generally quite significant.

Care and Maintenance of D Color Diamonds

If you’re fortunate enough to have a rare D color diamond, then you’ll want to make sure you properly care for and maintain it.

Storage

You should keep these precious stones separate from other jewelry as this will prevent scratches. We advise using a fabric-lined case or jewelry box. Storing it with other stones or jewelry may not be an issue if the container has separate compartments or if you use soft pouches. You should also be sure to store the container itself somewhere safe.

Cleaning

We recommend that you clean your diamonds at least once every two weeks. You can prevent excess dirt and oil from accumulating on the diamond if you avoid touching it directly. Cleaning is a simple process; you just need to mix a bit of gentle dish soap into some warm water and allow the diamond to soak. After about half an hour you can scrub the stone with a soft-bristled brush and then rinse and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.

Famous D Color Diamonds

The Cullinan I

Also known as the Star of Africa or the Great Star of Africa, the Cullinan I is the largest of 9 major stones cut from the original 1055.89-carat Cullinan in 1908. It has an estimated value of 200 to 400 million USD. This stone happens to be the second-largest cut diamond in the world and is the largest colorless diamond in the world. This colorless diamond weighs approximately 530.2 carats and is pear-shaped with 74 facets.

It was set in the Sovereign’s Sceptre by King George V in 1910 following King Edward’s death. Currently, it is a part of the British Crown Jewels and is displayed within the Tower of London.

The Millennium Star

The original 777-carat diamond was discovered in the Mbuji-Mayi district of Zaire in 1990. The diamond was purchased by De Beers at the height of the Zaire civil war in the early to mid-1990s. The Steinmetz Diamond Group spent over 3 years perfecting the pear brilliant cut.

It is insured for £100,000,000. At 203.04 carats, D color, and flawless clarity the Millennium Star is an exceedingly rare stone. An unsuccessful attempt to steal the collection this stone is a part of was made in the year 2000, making the stone even more famous.

The Koh-I-Noor

Translating to “mountain of light” from Farsi, the oval brilliant Koh-I-Noor has 66 facets and weighs approximately 105.6 carats. Conflicting theories and legends surround the stone making some facts predating the 1740s difficult to confirm. Details such as the date it was unearthed and the original stone’s weight remain speculative. Some theories suggest that it was first discovered as early as the 14th century, which would make it the oldest known faceted diamond. What’s more, this colorless diamond was believed by many to be a gift from god containing supernatural powers.

The stone has also been the subject of diplomatic controversy as India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan have disputed ownership. The rich history and legendary status of this stone make it one of the most famous and interesting D colored diamonds in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is D the Best Diamond Color Grade?

Yes, D color diamonds possess the highest possible color grade. The color grade of a diamond will range from D to Z. D color diamonds are colorless, while lower grades imply a yellow tint with Z diamonds having the greatest tint.

2. Why Does the Diamond Color Scale Begin With D?

The scale begins at D to void conflating the current scale with any previous ones. Grading systems of the past used A, B, and C however, these were not accurate systems. What’s more, other grading systems existed making the process of identifying and correlating diamonds inconsistent and confusing.

In the 1940s and 50s, the GIA developed the Color Grading Scale we use today. In order to prevent any misunderstandings, they avoided using grading terms from the previous systems. The new scale begins with “D” because it is the first unused letter of the alphabet.

3. How Rare Are D Color Diamonds?

According to current estimates, the GIA has graded less than 1% of diamonds in circulation around the world as D. In fact, the sum of D, E, and F diamonds still amount to less than 1% of the world’s diamond supply.

4. What Are The Most Common Uses for D Color Diamonds?

The most common use for D color diamonds is in high-quality jewelry such as rings and necklaces. The fact that some types of jewelry do not suit D color diamonds well may surprise you. This includes any jewelry featuring yellow gold or rose gold around the diamonds. This type of metal conflicts with the purity of the colorless diamonds and undermines their beauty.

There are not many other common uses for D color diamonds, however, these colorless stones are very rare and always in demand, making them a stable asset.

5. Are D Color Diamonds Collection Grade?

D diamonds are collection grade if they meet a few quality criteria. Firstly in terms of color, a stone must be D, E, or F (i.e. colorless). Then, the clarity grade must be flawless, internally flawless, VVS1, or VVS2. Finally, the stone must not contain any level of fluorescence.

In addition, many will only consider a stone to be collection grade if they have very good to excellent polish and symmetry grades. And some will only consider round brilliants to be collection grade if their polish, symmetry, and cut grades are all excellent.

6. Why Don’t D Diamonds Have Color?

Distortions in the crystal lattice as well as trace elements interacting with carbon will cause diamonds to have color; D diamonds don’t have color because they are absent of these distortions and trace elements.

These elements include nitrogen (yellow), sulfur (green), boron (blue), and hydrogen (gray). Imperfections in the diamond’s crystal lattice can cause a pinkish color. We call these types of diamonds “fancy color diamonds” and they can be quite valuable. However, they would not be nearly as valuable if the color is not naturally occurring.

7. How Do D Diamonds Get Graded?

The Gemological Institute of America (or GIA) utilizes a master set of diamonds for comparison to determine a diamond’s color grade.

It may sound simple, but the GIA must ensure precise viewing conditions and controlled lighting to render an accurate grade. Even with perfect lighting conditions, it can be a challenge to distinguish varied color diamonds if they have different cuts. The ideal fashion in which to examine diamond color is with the stone upside down and against a flat white background.

8. What Metal Setting Should I Use With My D Color Diamond?

You should pair your D color diamond with white gold or platinum. These bright and pure metals will compliment the stone perfectly and emphasize the stone’s transparency. If you set the colorless diamond in yellow gold or rose gold you will undermine the stone’s beauty as it will absorb the surrounding light. This would deoptimize the optics of your jewelry as the metal would constantly seem to impress color upon the stone, making it look like a lower color grade.

9. How Can I Ensure the D Diamond Is Conflict-Free and Ethically Sourced?

To ensure the D color diamond was ethically sourced, check the origin report on its GIA certificate and verify its Kimberley Process certification. Some diamonds can also be tracked by blockchain technology, the most reliable method.

Diamonds mined in areas under rebel control and used to fund actions against legitimate governments are commonly referred to as “blood diamonds.” These diamonds often result in the death and suffering of innocents. “Conflict-free” diamonds are those which do not fall into this category. Additionally, “ethically sourced” goes hand-in-hand with issues like safe working conditions, fair pay, omission of child labor, and environmentally friendly practices.

10. How Do E and D Color Diamonds Compare?

D, E, and F grade diamonds are all considered colorless and are nearly impossible to distinguish with the naked eye in real-world lighting conditions (even by most experts). The D vs E diamond question is a common one and for good reason. Why spend more for a higher grade when you can’t tell the difference? The obvious answer is that since D color diamonds are of the highest quality, they are the rarest and thus the most valuable. 

11. Do D Color Diamonds Have Better Sparkle?

Yes, D color diamonds will typically have the most prominent sparkle because the amount of color a diamond has an inverse relationship with the amount of sparkle it can produce. Less color means more light can pass through.

Sparkle is the measure of how much light the diamond reflects, while brilliance refers to the white light reflected and fire refers to the colored light reflected. You may have heard the term “dispersion” interchangeably used with fire. More accurately, dispersion is the scattering of light into an array of its component colors, while fire specifically refers to the perceptible dispersed light.

12. How Important Is the Color Grade?

The color grade is very important as it is part of the 4 C’s. Among the four C’s color is typically considered to be the second or third most important along with clarity, following cut, and ahead of carat weight.

It is crucial to consider all 4 C’s when choosing the perfect diamond. Exploring which C’s you want to prioritize and to what extent, will enable you to make a wise compromise between the four. Finding a good balance will reduce the cost and result in better value.

Speak With an Expert

Whether want to purchase a D color diamond or just learn more, Estate Diamond Jewelry experts are here for you. Boasting an impressive collection, EDJ has been a trusted authority on diamonds, D color or otherwise, for over 40 years.

If you want the best value when shopping D color diamonds, then feel free to reach out to our team. Simply fill out the contact form below and you’ll get a response within a single business hour.

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