Why H Diamond Color is Good Enough for the Best Value

Not sure what the best color for your diamond engagement ring is? We recommend H as a safe bet.

H is the most popular color choice in the American diamond market. It offers a good balance of price while still providing the icy-white nature that a lot of people prefer in their diamonds.

On the D-K diamond color scale, H is the tipping point between colorless diamonds and diamonds with a slightly noticeable yellow tint. Most people can't really see the difference - but there is a large price jump between each color grade.

In this article, we'll show you why H diamonds offer the best value for your money.

What are H diamonds?

Diamonds come in a range of colors, from perfectly white to light yellow/brown. They're graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light color).

And the sweet spot of the diamond color grade scale? H color diamonds.

H diamonds fall in the near colorless range. To the average person, they look almost totally white. Jewelers may see a slight yellow tint, but it's hardly visible to the casual observer.

That's why an H color diamond is the best bang for your buck. Without the premium price tag, you get a stone that looks similar to a D diamond. They're the best balance between beauty and budget.

The Color Grading Scale

Diamond Color Scale © CreditDonkey

Aside from the near colorless range, GIA's color scale is divided into 4 other subcategories. Here are the 5 groupings:

• D, E, F (Colorless): These diamonds are colorless and super rare. They also come at a much higher price. If you enjoy very icy white diamonds, you may not mind paying the premium.

• G, H, I, J (Near Colorless): A slight undertone of yellow can be detected by an expert gemologist. However, the slight tint in G and H diamonds is virtually undetected by the average person. At I and J, the tint becomes a bit more apparent when compared to a diamond of higher color grade. But they offer great value, especially if you prefer a warmer look to your jewelry. For this color grouping, check out our guides for G,H, I and J.

• K, L, M (Faint): A yellow color is more noticeable at this point, even without having to compare with a higher color grade diamond. Usually, online retailers don't sell diamonds for engagement rings less than a K.

• N-R (Very Light): Very noticeable yellow tint and looks like a poor quality diamond, even to an untrained eye.

• S-Z (Light): Color at this range can start to have a brown tint. Needless to say, there is very little demand for these.

H is somewhere in the middle of the "near colorless" range, but that doesn't mean you'll see the slight yellow tint. It is VERY difficult for the human eye to tell color just a couple of grades apart. To illustrate, take a look at the examples below.

H Diamond Price Comparisons

The difference in color is tiny, but the difference in price is huge as you move up and down the color grading. D, E, and F diamonds are essentially colorless, and because of their rarity, they're priced at a premium. H diamonds look practically colorless, but the drop in price is significant.

Looking at our F, H, J trio of diamonds above, here are the price differences with all else being equal (1-carat, ideal cut, VS2 clarity).

The H-colored diamond is almost $1,000 less than the F-colored diamond. That extra grand might not be worth it just to have it labeled "colorless". Going for J will drop the price significantly, but we don't recommend it for white gold/platinum bands. You just might see the slight yellow tint.

Where is the Best Place to Buy an H Diamond Engagement Ring?

If you're considering an H-diamond engagement ring, you must check out reputable online retailers.

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Shop for diamonds at Brilliant Earth, a CreditDonkey recommended partner for socially-responsible diamonds.

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What Do H Colored Diamonds Look Like?

They are not very easily distinguishable from each other in the face-up view, even under extreme magnification. You can probably see more clearly in their respective side views.

But don't worry, because when mounted on a ring, people will only be admiring it face-up. And remember - color doesn't determine how sparkly and shiny the ring is. The cut of the diamond (proportion, symmetry, and polish) will make the biggest impact on how bright, and therefore "white," the diamond appears.

An ideal cut diamond will reflect light in such a way that it masks slight color. A diamond that is lower in color grade but is well-cut will appear more brilliant than a poorly cut, colorless diamond. So we always recommend putting your money towards a better cut than a higher color grade.

What Do H Diamonds Look Like Mounted on Ring?

So what does an H diamond look like mounted on a ring? Let's compare an H diamond to an F (colorless), which is 2 grades up, and to a J (very bottom of the near-colorless range), which is 2 grades down.

The H diamond looks a little warmer compared to the F diamond. You won't be able to tell that the H is "near colorless" unless they're placed side by side. It'll appear white face-up and will look completely fine in any metal color.

The J colored diamond is noticeably more yellow when set on a white gold ring. This is why H-colored diamonds provide a good balance-only 2 grades down from colorless (which is difficult for the human eye to detect) and 2 grades up from a yellow tint that may be more easily noticed.

How To Make H Diamonds Appear Whiter

Chances are, your H diamond looks white as it is. But we can't avoid a fleck of yellow tint here and there.

Luckily, you can always try these tricks to make your H diamond appear whiter:

• Always go for ideal cut
  The key to a sparkly stone is the right cut grade, so you should never compromise on this. An ideal cut stone will look so sparkly that it hides most flaws in the other C's. As long as you choose ideal cut, you can always pick a lower color or clarity stone.

• Choose a round cut
  Round diamonds are the sparkliest of all diamond shapes. Having the most intense sparkle means that they do the best job at hiding color. If you want a timeless, white, and brilliant ring, go for round.

• Pick a white gold or platinum band
  Diamonds reflect the color of their metal. With a white gold or platinum band, your H color diamond may take after some of the metal's whiteness.

• Try diamonds with fluorescence
  Fluorescence doesn't just make your diamond cheaper. It also makes it look whiter, especially in sunlight. If you can find fluorescent H diamonds in your jeweler, they can give you an unmatched deal.

Final Tips for H Colored Diamonds

Whatever metal or diamond spec you choose, you can hardly go wrong with an H color diamond. Just follow the rule of thumb: pick an ideal cut to make sure your ring is white and sparkly.

Even for step cuts (emerald and asscher), H color diamonds still look white. And if you're choosing a yellow or rose gold band, you can even drop to K color diamonds. Your stone will take on the metal's yellow tint, anyway.

If you still have doubts, it might be best to buy your ring in-store to see it personally first. Inspect it in different lighting conditions to make sure the sparkle is consistent.

But as long as you're buying from a reputable retailer, you shouldn't have problems buying an H diamond online.

Bottom Line

H diamonds offer great value in terms of its price and beauty. It's a safe choice if you're concerned about a yellow tint or if you're purchasing from a site without photos. We hate to make guarantees, but we're pretty sure that the average person won't be able to detect a hint of color.