The Complete Guide to Diamond Colour and Carat

Searching for a diamond engagement ring? You’ve probably heard the words ‘carat’ and ‘colour.’ But what do they mean? And what kind does your partner want? Our guide will talk you through the diamond carat, diamond colour, and will bring you closer to finding the perfect diamond ring.

10 FEBRUARY 2023 | AMY BORLAND-MARTIN - GUEST JEWELLERY WRITER

Out of the four C’s, the actual meaning of colour and carat remain unknown to most. Whilst their famous siblings the dynamic ‘cut’ and scintillating ‘clarity’ take centre stage, we are still waiting with roses for their mysterious counterparts (and what they actually mean).

This guide will shed light on what these terms mean for diamond rings, what to look for and will answer the age-old question, ‘Does diamond size really matter?’.

What is diamond colour?

Strangely, diamond colour means an absence of colour in a diamond. A chemically pure, structurally perfect diamond is clear. It has no yellow hue and is therefore of a higher value. So generally speaking, the clearer the diamond, the better the diamond.

Think of how much you pay to see the glimmering crystal waters of the Mediterranean, compared to the cloudy waters of the British seaside. We all know which one you’d prefer to swim in.

To quantify the colour of a diamond, a Diamond Grader needs to examine it. Diamond graders compare the diamond to a master set of diamonds – specifically chosen on range of colour. By comparing the loose diamond (in their special diamond tweezers) to the diamonds in the master set, they’re able to see how white or yellow the diamond is. This is based purely on how transparent or yellow the diamond is. The gemmologists will then give the diamond an official grade.

Gemmologists go through years of extensive training to be able to grade diamonds. Thus, the process is thorough and rigorous.

Which diamond colour should I buy?

The diamond colour you purchase for an engagement ring is entirely up to you, your budget and your partners' preferences.

With that in mind, D colour diamonds are the highest grade. They are the most transparent, or white and of course, these are the most valuable. However, D colour diamonds are rare and incredibly expensive. In terms of quality, the (D-F) range is ideal.

If you are considering budget, you can forgo some colour purity to stay within this and still get the bright, sparkling diamond or diamonds you desire. We recommend diamonds from the G-M range, which look lovely paired with white gold or platinum settings for a striking finish.

To show our commitment to quality, all of our diamond engagement rings at Ernest Jones contain diamonds above the M colour grade. Because we care.

What if I want diamonds with a splash of colour?

People often think the term diamond colour means coloured diamonds. While diamond colour refers to the natural tint innate in diamonds, it is not uncommon to want a coloured diamond.

If this is something that takes your fancy, Le Vian are known for its coloured diamonds. Their Sunny Diamond ® collection jewels are distinguished by vivid yellow diamonds. Whilst their iconic Chocolate Diamonds ® are brown, with a delicious golden hue. Tempted?

What does carat weight mean?

Carat refers to the physical weight of a diamond – not its size. Jewellers use this unit of measurement all around the world. You will often see it listed as 'ct' instead of carat.

How much should a diamond weigh on an engagement ring?

There are no rules when it comes to carat weight. However, it is acknowledged that 1ct is often seen as a good option. This is known as a ‘magic size.’ Magic sizes typically increase in increments of 0.50ct and 1ct. And this, in turn, will drastically increase the price of a stone. A diamond with a total carat weight of 0.99ct can be priced much less than one weighing 1ct.

Think of it like this: there is truly not a lot of difference in value between 99p and £1. Yet, we’d all rather have a pound because of its rounded total and therefore higher spending power.

A cluster ring and solitaire ring can have the same total carat weight but will vary in price. This is because a solitaire diamond contains most of its carat weight within a single diamond. A cluster ring has most of its weight spread out between multiple, smaller diamonds.

Is diamond cut or diamond carat more important?

This is subjective but experts tend to agree that cut is more important. Carat weight will appear differently across varying cuts and shapes. If your budget only allows for less than one carat, we advise purchasing a ring with a round or oval-shaped centre stone.

If your main diamond is under 1ct, a halo can add ‘heels’ to really give it that boost and make it seem larger in size.

We know the perfect proposal starts with the perfect ring. At Ernest Jones, we’re proud to build on our legacy of responsibly sourced, expertly crafted diamond rings that celebrate every kind of love story. We’re here to help you in the first step of starting your forever. Book an engagement ring appointment with our experts in-store or online.