D vs. F Color Diamond

The color of a diamond can make or break its appearance. Diamonds with a lower color grade exhibit a visible yellow tint and fail to deliver a gorgeous sparkle. Whereas diamonds with a superior color grade exhibit greater transparency and light absorption and hence, deliver a stunning sparkle and scintillation.

Just so you know, there are 23 color grades on the GIA color scale (industrial standard for diamond grading). These grades are divided into five categories ranging from ‘colorless’ to ‘light yellow’ colored diamonds. Here’s how the scale looks:

Most of the time, it is hard to discern between the color grades that stand adjacent to each other or belong to the same category. Yet there are features that set them apart from each other. But these distinguishing features are not always of great value.

And we’ll see that in the case of D vs. F diamonds too. So let’s start by learning a bit about both of them!

What is a D Color Diamond?

The D color grade of a diamond belongs to the most prestigious category of the color scale, i.e., the colorless range. The D grade secures the first position in this category.

This means that a D color is the highest and the best color grade any diamond out there can ever receive. A diamond with a D color grade indicates that it will show no color to either an unaided eye or under magnification.

A D color diamond delivers a phenomenal sparkle that makes it noticeable from across the room. It gives off a bright, icy white appearance that can catch anyone’s heart.

But hold on, and be careful with your heart because this magnificent beauty comes at a hefty price. D color diamonds are the rarest of all, and so they are considered more valuable.

Only a few diamonds in the world have what it takes to be awarded a D color grade. Since they are so rare, they fetch a sky-high price. And if you ask me, I don’t think they’re worth the premium price, especially for the ones seeking good value for money.

However, for people who are not concerned about money, a D color diamond can prove to be an impeccable choice for an engagement ring.

What is an F Color Diamond?

The F color grade of a diamond also belongs to the top tier category of the GIA color scale. An F color is yet another grade that ensures a colorless diamond.

The F grade stands at #3 in the ‘colorless’ category, just one step ahead of the G grade that belongs to the ‘near colorless category.

You can expect a similar performance from an F color diamond as that of a D color diamond. Since it is colorless, it shows excellent light absorption and transparency. That, in turn, accounts for the wonderful sparkle and scintillation of an F color diamond.

Simply put, an F-grade diamond will look flawless in terms of color. It is considered an ideal grade for a diamond, for it shows absolutely no color even under magnification.

And just like the D color diamonds, buying an F color diamond in decent cut, clarity, and caratage will almost break your bank.

Since the F color grade is also assigned for colorless diamonds, it means they’re a lot rarer than the rest of the diamonds. And rarity equals value, so F-color diamonds are considered quite valuable.

In short, F-color diamonds can be an excellent option for people wanting an unrivaled scintillation in their diamond without the price tag of a D-colored diamond.

What is the difference between a D and F Color Diamond?

Well, to a naked, untrained eye, the difference between a D and F color diamond will never be noticeable. Both of these color grades belong to the same category, i.e., colorless. Therefore, you’ll be hard-pressed to find any striking difference between the two.

Take a look at the images below:

Can you spot which one is D or F? I’m 100% sure you cannot unless I tell you that the first one is a D-grade diamond while the second is an F-grade diamond.

So one thing is clear here. An untrained eye cannot discern between a D and F color diamond even when provided with magnified images. Only an expert diamond grader can do that job, that too, with adequate lighting and tools.

They’re at different places on the GIA color scale for a reason. So let’s find out the slight differences that do exist between them.

D color diamond is totally colorless.

A diamond that receives a D color grade is absolutely colorless. It doesn’t even have the slightest hint of any color.

This means that a D color diamond is at the top of the game in terms of performance. It delivers an icy white and super bright sparkle.

On an electronic colorimeter, a D color diamond receives a score of 0.00, which indicates that it is completely colorless and shows unprecedented transparency.

Let’s look at a D color diamond in comparison with a G (1^st in near colorless) diamond:

In these images, you can clearly see what makes the D color diamond fetch a premium price.

F-color diamond has an unnoticeable tint.

F-color diamond has an unnoticeable tint … well, then why does it matter?

It matters because that is what puts the F color grade at #3 in the ‘colorless’ range. Sure a diamond with an F grade looks colorless both under magnification and to the naked eye.

But there’s a highly slight tint that is not even noticeable yet somehow affects the overall performance of the diamond. This difference in performance can only be traced by an expert diamond grader, though.

Owing to the minimal and unnoticeable tint it has, an F color diamond receives a score of 1.49 on an electronic colorimeter.

F-color diamond gives better value for money.

An F color diamond will cost you less than a D color diamond. However, both look identical to an untrained eye, even under magnification.

So the difference between a D and F color diamond exists only on the paper. Or it can only be seen by an expert diamond grader in laboratory conditions. So why pay the premium for a D-grade diamond?

An F-grade diamond is the perfect combination of value for money and flawless appearance. It can help you save a lot of money and invest in things that matter more such as the cut or clarity grade.

Costing less than a D-grade diamond yet looking totally identical to it speaks itself for better value for money.

Price Comparison: D vs. F Color Diamond

While there may not be many discerning factors between a D and F color diamond, the price difference between them is quite high.

A D color diamond is considered the highest quality diamond out there, so it comes at a premium price. On the other hand, an F color diamond will cost you considerably less while looking the same as a D color diamond.

Anyway, we’ll be making a quick price comparison between these two top-tier diamond grades so you can judge the difference on your own.

Starting off with two diamonds from Ritani. The following features of the diamond will stay the same:

·         Carat: 2.00

·         Cut: Ideal

·         Clarity: VS1

·         Shape: Round Brilliant

This diamond with a D color grade will cost you around $29,186. On the contrary, the same diamond but with an F color grade can help you save around $5000 at a price of $24,712.

The price difference between them is quite significant; however, if you examine the 360° magnified view of these diamonds, you won’t be able to spot any difference.

Moving on, let’s take a few examples from James Allen. Starting with a diamond with the following features:

·         Carat: 2.00

·         Cut: Ideal

·         Clarity: VVS2

·         Shape: Round Brilliant

A diamond with the aforementioned features and a D color grade fetches a price up to $44,700 at James Allen. In contrast to that, the same diamond in F color grade will cost you $32,060. Now that’s a whopping difference in the price, yet the appearance of both the diamonds stays identical.

Just for a bit of perspective, the same diamond in a G color grade will cost you $28,390. So if you’re okay with an F-grade diamond, you might as well consider a G-grade diamond because it can look equally stunning to a naked, untrained eye.

D vs. F Color Diamond: Which is better?

Well, I don’t think making a choice is hard anymore. We have seen the differences between both D and F color diamonds, and they are not a lot. In fact, those differences are something that an average consumer shouldn’t even consider.

Both D and F color diamonds look identical to each other. Even a professional diamond grader won’t be able to tell them apart with the naked eye. Only in laboratory settings can a professional can spot the difference between a D and F color diamond.

Look at this side profile view of a D and F color diamond. You will hardly ever be able to spot a difference.

So if you choose a D color diamond, you’ll be overpaying for something that is not even noticeable to you or anyone else, for that matter. An F-grade diamond looks totally identical to a D color diamond without the premium price tag.

An F-color diamond offers more value for money and gives you the room to invest in other C’s of the diamond. Whereas a D color diamond will have you spend more money for features that don’t even make a difference.

So an F-color diamond is definitely the better choice for anyone who’s seeking value for their money. In fact, a G-grade diamond can prove to be an equally promising choice in the right cut and setting.

Final Verdict

If you don’t mind paying the premium price and want to lay your hands on only the first-class diamond, then sure, go ahead with a D-color diamond. However, for the fellows out there who seek value for money and do not religiously pay attention to what’s written on the diamond certificate, an F-color diamond will be an excellent choice, by all means!

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