Diamond color grading scales[1]
GIA Status: current AGS Status: current AGS Status: historical: pre 1995 CIBJO Status: current IDC Status: current Scan. D.N. Status: current Old World Terms Status: historical
grade and description[2] grade and electronic colorimeter scale[3] grade and electronic colorimeter scale[3] grade[4] grade and description[4] grade for .50ct and over[5] grade for under .50ct series 1 scale[4] series 2 scale[4]
D Colorless 0 0 - 0.49 0 0 - 0.75 Exceptional white + Exceptional white + Colorless River White Finest White Jager
E 0.5 0.5 - 0.99 Exceptional white Exceptional white River
1 0.76 - 1.35
F 1.0 1.0 - 1.49 Rare white + Rare white + Colorless when viewed through the crown Top Wesselton Fine White
2 1.36 - 2.00
G Near Colorless 1.5 1.5 - 1.99 Rare white Rare white Top Wesselton
H 2.0 2.0 - 2.49 3 2.01 - 2.50 White White Wesselton White Wesselton
I 2.5 2.5 - 2.99 4 2.51 - 3.0 Slightly tinted white Slightly tinted white Slightly colored Top Crystal Slightly tinted white Commercial White Top Crystal
J 3.0 3.0 - 3.49 5 3.01 - 3.75 Crystal Top silver cape Crystal
K Faint Yellow 3.5 3.5 - 3.99 Tinted white Tinted white Top cape Tinted white Top cape
6 3.76 - 4.5 Silver cape
L 4.0 4.0 - 4.49
M 4.5 4.5 - 4.99 7 4.51 - 5.50 Tinted color 1 Tinted color Slightly colored to colored Cape Tinted color Light cape Cape
N Very Light Yellow 5.0 5.0 - 5.49 Tinted color 2 Low Cape
O 5.5 5.5 - 5.99 8 5.51 - 7.0 Light yellow Cape Very light yellow
P 6.0 6.0 - 6.49 Light yellow
Q 6.5 6.5 - 6.99
R 7.0 7.0 - 7.49 9 7.01 - 8.5
Dark cape
S Light Yellow 7.5 7.5 - 7.99 Tinted color 3 Yellow
T 8.0 8.0 - 8.49
U 8.5 8.5 - 8.99 10 8.51 - 10.00
V 9.0 9.0 - 9.49
W 9.5 9.5 - 9.99
X 10.0 10 + 10+
Y
Z
  1. ^ Organizations: GIA - Gemological Institute of America, AGI - Antwerpse Gemologische Instelling, AGS - American Gem Society, CIBJO - Confédération International de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie, Orfèvrerie des Diamantes, Perles et Pierres (World Jewellery Confederation), IDC - International Diamond Council, Scan. D.N. - Scandinavian Diamond Nomenclature
  2. ^ Diamond Grading: Lab Manual Gemological Institute of America, Carlsbad, 2004
  3. ^ a b The AGS Way: Diamond Grading Standards American Gem Society, 1999
  4. ^ a b c d Pagel-Thielsen, Verena G.G., F.G.A. Diamond Grading ABC: The Manual Rubin & Son n.v., Antwerp, 9th edition, 2001, ISBN 3-9800434-6-0.
  5. ^ Engagement Diamond FAQ