Diamonds come in a wide range of colors, from colorless to yellow, brown, pink, blue, green and more. The most prized and valuable diamonds are those with little to no color, graded as D-F on the diamond color scale. As color intensity increases, diamonds are graded G-Z and become less rare and desirable. One of the least preferred diamond colors is an I color grade.
What Does Diamond Color I Mean?
The GIA diamond color scale grades diamonds on a spectrum from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow/brown). Here is what each color grade indicates:
- D-F – Colorless
- G-J – Near colorless
- K-M – Faint yellow
- N-R – Very light yellow
- S-Z – Light yellow/brown
An I color diamond falls at the high end of the near colorless range. It will show a barely detectable warm tone that is visible when compared side-by-side to higher color grades. The warm tone is usually only noticeable in larger diamond carats and may be hard to see in a smaller diamond.
How Does I Color Affect Value?
Diamond value is largely determined by the 4Cs – Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat Weight. Color has a significant impact on diamond prices. As a rule, the more colorless the diamond, the higher its value. This chart shows the average price difference between color grades for a 1 carat round diamond:
| Color Grade | Price Difference |
|---|---|
| D | $0 |
| E | -3% |
| F | -5% |
| G | -9% |
| H | -13% |
| I | -17% |
| J | -21% |
As you can see, an I color diamond is about 17% less expensive than a comparable D colorless diamond. The price difference widens as more color is present. This makes an I grade diamond significantly more affordable than higher color grades.
Does I Color Affect Beauty?
While D-F diamonds are considered the most beautiful, an I color grade is still an excellent choice. Here are some benefits of choosing an I color diamond:
- Face-up white – Well cut I color diamonds will appear bright white and luminous, even against a white background. The slight warmth is difficult to see.
- Ideal for solitaire settings – Minor color is harder to detect in solitaire settings where the diamond is not compared to others.
- Complementary tones – The faint warmth can complement warmer skin tones and pair well with yellow gold settings.
- Excellent value – Get more carat weight for your budget compared to more expensive colorless grades.
While it may not have the prestige of a D flawless diamond, an I color grade possesses outstanding brilliance and fire that make it beautiful in its own right.
What are the Best Options for I Color Diamonds?
To maximize an I diamond’s beauty, here are some tips for selecting the best option:
- Cut – Focus on Cut above all else. A well-cut I grade will have exceptional sparkle and face-up white.
- Carat – Stay under 1 carat to minimize visible warmth. Ideal carat sizes are 0.50ct or 0.75ct.
- Clarity – SI1 or VS2 are eye clean. Higher clarity is unnecessary.
- Setting – Solitaire or plain band to prevent color contrast with other diamonds.
- Metal – Stick with yellow gold or rose gold to complement the tone. Avoid white metals.
This combination will ensure your I diamond appears as white as possible and maximizes the stone’s fire and brilliance.
Does an I Grade Work for All Diamond Shapes?
I color grade diamonds can work well with round, princess, cushion, asscher, radiant and oval shapes. Here are some considerations for getting the best look in each shape:
Round
The most popular shape, a well-cut round I diamond will face up white and eye clean under 1 carat. Stick to simple settings to prevent color contrast.
Princess
Princesses can show warmth along the pointed corners. Keep it under 0.75ct to reduce visible color. Pair with small accent stones.
Cushion
A cushion cut’s large facets can emphasize color. Halo settings and rose gold pairings minimize visible warmth.
Asscher
The asscher’s stepped-facets cause a hall of mirrors effect. Warmth may be more visible, so choose smaller sizes around 0.50ct.
Radiant
Like the cushion, the radiant’s bright facets can reflect color. Solitaire settings are best to avoid contrast.
Oval
Bowtie effect in oval diamonds can intensify appearances of color. Keep under 0.75ct for the best face-up white.
Should You Avoid an I Color Diamond?
There are certain situations when it’s best to consider diamonds with higher color grades:
- Diamonds over 1 carat – More visible warmth appears in larger diamonds so stick with H color or higher.
- Side stones – Color difference will be obvious next to D-F diamonds so use H+.
- Three stone settings – The accent diamonds will emphasize the center stone’s color. Choose G-H.
- Platinum or white gold – White metalspaired with I-J can look more yellow. Use D-H diamonds.
While they offer great value, I-J grades won’t be the ideal choice in these settings. However, they can still work beautifully in the right ring.
Does Cut Impact I Diamond Color?
Cut quality plays a critical role in maximizing the appearance of I diamonds. Well-cut facets refract and reflect light to create more sparkle and brightness throughout the stone. Here’s how different cuts impact color visibility:
Ideal Cut
An ideal cut hides color extremely well. Precise faceting creates abundant fire and brilliance for exceptional face-up white.
Very Good
May show slightly more color than ideal but still faces up bright white. A great value option.
Good/Fair
Face-up color is more detectable in diamonds with fair to good cuts. Not recommended for I color.
While excellent cut diamonds cost more, it’s a worthwhile investment for I-J grades. Better light performance conceals color and allows the diamond to achieve its full beauty potential.
Does Clarity Impact I Diamond Color?
Diamond clarity has less impact on concealing body color than cut. However, lower clarity diamonds with prominent inclusions in the middle or top can make the yellow tone more obvious. Here’s how different clarity ranges affect the look of an I grade diamond:
Flawless or Internally Flawless (IF)
While the highest clarity, it’s overkill for Near Colorless grades. The extra cost is unnecessary.
Very Very Slightly Included (VVS)
Excellent clarity but still not mandatory. VS clarity offers the best balance.
Very Slightly Included (VS)
VS diamonds face up eye clean. An ideal level of clarity for I color without overspending.
Slightly Included (SI)
SI1 or better will be clean to the naked eye but don’t hide color as well as VS.
VS clarity is the recommended sweet spot for getting an eye clean I diamond that doesn’t emphasize the subtle warmth.
Does Fluorescence Impact I Diamond Color?
Some I diamonds exhibit fluorescence, which is a blue glow under UV light. In near colorless diamonds, fluorescence can make the stone appear whiter. Here’s an overview of how different fluorescence intensities affect I color:
None
No special effect on color. The diamond will display its natural level of warmth.
Faint
A faint blue glow has little effect on concealing I color. Still faces up slightly warm.
Medium
Medium fluorescence starts to whiten I color more noticeably. The warmth is less obvious.
Strong/Very Strong
Higher levels of fluorescence can make an I diamond appear almost colorless. The blue cancelling out yellow tones.
If selecting an I diamond, medium to strong fluorescence may offer a better color appearance. The effect is most pronounced in natural light.
How to Spot Treatments that Alter Diamond Color
Some diamonds are artificially treated to change their color. This provides lower cost options but does affect value. Here are some treatment methods and how to identify them:
HPHT Annealing
High pressure, high temperature treatment alters a diamond’s structure to remove some color. Signs are laser inscriptions, a milky or hazy look, and unnaturally bright fluorescence.
Coatings
External coatings like rhodium can mask yellow tones. Coatings wear off over time. Refractometer testing can detect coatings.
Irradiation
Exposure to radiation turns some diamonds green, blue, black, or pink. Loupe inspection reveals radiation stains around inclusions.
Bleaching
Acid leaching the diamond removes color but damages the crystal structure. Orange fluorescence and internal graining indicate bleaching.
Always ask for lab certification like a GIA report to confirm no treatments. Buying from a reputable retailer ensures you get honest information about any enhancements.
Should You Ever Pick an I Color Over a D-F?
While D-F diamonds are considered the most desirable, there are certain situations where an I can be preferable:
- Budget – Get more size for your money. Ideal for maximizing carat weight.
- Warm Skin Tone – The faint warmth complements and flatters warmer complexions.
- Yellow Gold Setting – I grade matches beautifully with yellow or rose gold mountings.
- Unique Style – Adds personal flair over popular colorless diamonds.
The best color grade comes down to personal preference and priority. An I diamond gives you more freedom to get the ring you love most!
The Takeaway – Don’t Overlook I Diamonds!
While it sits at the cusp of Near Colorless, an I grade diamond is far from being a poor choice. With proper selection criteria to maximize cut, carat and clarity, an I color diamond can be remarkably bright and white, especially in solitaire settings under 1 carat. The barely detectable warmth gives it personality without heavily impacting its brilliance or diminishing its beauty. With an I diamond offering such tremendous value compared to premium colorless grades, this grade deserves serious consideration!