H Color Diamonds: Near Colorless and Great Value for Money

H color diamonds are 2nd in the “near-colorless” range of the GIA color scale, meaning they appear almost colorless when viewed with the naked eye, but could show a slight yellow tint when viewed under magnification by an expert gemologist. A 1 carat H color diamond typically starts around $5,500.

H color diamonds are among our top recommendations, blending near-colorless beauty with great value. Below, we’ve explained what H color diamonds are, as well as when this diamond color grade is worth considering for an engagement ring. We’ve also compared H color diamonds side by side with diamonds of other color grades to give you a full understanding of their appearance.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:
What are H color diamonds?
H color diamonds vs. other color grades
How much do H color diamonds cost?
When to buy an H color diamond
H color diamonds for side stone and halo settings
FAQs

Why you should trust us

To help you with the diamond buying process we lean on our expertise and experience. The author of this article, our CEO, Mike Fried has over 20 years of experience in the diamond industry. Mike started from the bottom, sorting and evaluating hundreds of thousands of diamonds to learn every facet (pun intended) of diamond quality and value. Mike followed that up by spending years buying and selling diamonds on the wholesale market as well as selling tens of millions of dollars worth of diamonds to diamond retailers.

D Color Diamonds (Absolutely Colorless)

D is the highest color grade, meaning it has nearly no color. Under magnification and to the naked eye, a D color diamond will appear colorless.

D color diamonds are usually set in platinum or white gold, as yellow gold and other jewelry settings detract from the diamond’s uncolored beauty. Diamonds with a D color grade are the most rare and expensive on the market, with a significant price premium over other color grades.

See D Graded Diamonds

E Color Diamond (Colorless)

E color diamonds look almost identical to D color diamonds. Most of the time, the differences in color between a D and E diamond are only visible to an expert gemologist when the two diamonds are viewed under magnification.

Like D color diamonds, E color diamonds are usually set in platinum or white gold to avoid the color of the jewelry detracting from their near flawless color. Although these diamonds are less expensive than D color diamonds, they still command a hefty premium.

See E Graded Diamonds

F Color Diamond (Colorless)

F color diamonds are almost identical to D and E color diamonds, with nearly no visible color. Even under magnification and side by side, a D, E and F diamond will look almost identical to anyone other than an expert gemologist.

See F Graded Diamonds

G Color Diamond (Near Colorless)

G color diamonds exhibit nearly no color and appear primarily colorless to the naked eye. The G color grade is the highest, best grade in the “Near Colorless” range of the GIA’s scale, which covers diamonds graded G to J.

Although G color diamonds have some tints of color, they’re almost impossible to detect with the naked eye. Like D-F diamonds, these diamonds should be set in platinum or white gold to reduce any effects of color reflection from yellow or rose gold.

See G Graded Diamonds

H Color Diamond (Near Colorless)

H color diamonds appear primarily colorless to the naked eye but have a faint yellow hue that’s often visible under magnification in bright lighting, especially when they’re compared to diamonds of a higher color grade.

Like G color diamonds, these can be set in platinum or white gold without any issues. H color diamonds are slightly less expensive than G color diamonds and significantly more affordable than diamonds in the colorless range. This is the minimum color grade we recommend for diamond shapes with a large table, such as the radiant and cushion cuts.

See H Graded Diamonds

I Color Diamond (Near Colorless)

I color diamonds offer a great combination of near colorless looks and good value for money. These diamonds have a slight yellow tint that’s usually only visible when they’re viewed next to diamonds of a higher color grade.

An I color round brilliant cut diamond can look fantastic in a platinum or white gold setting, as well as alongside metals such as yellow or rose gold. As you’d expect, I color diamonds are less expensive than G or H color diamonds. This is the minimum color grade we recommend for princess cut diamonds.

See I Graded Diamonds

J Color Diamond (Near Colorless)

J color diamonds look mostly colorless to the naked eye, but usually have a faint yellow tint that’s easy to notice under bright lights and magnification. In diamonds with a large table, the color might also be visible with the naked eye in certain lighting conditions.

From a value for money perspective, J color diamonds can be fantastic choices. We recommend this color for round brilliant cut diamonds set in platinum or white gold (solitaire setting), as the cut of the round diamond is great at concealing color. However, the J color grade is not recommended for diamond shapes with a larger table and fewer facets.

See J Graded Diamonds

K Color Diamond (Faint)

K color diamonds are classed as “faint tint” on the GIA’s diamond color scale, meaning they have a slight yellow tint that’s visible even to the naked eye.

Diamonds in this price range can be found for significantly less than those in the G to J range. Set in a beautiful yellow gold setting, a K color round brilliant cut diamond can look gorgeous. However, diamonds of this color grade should generally not be set in platinum or white gold.

See K Graded Diamonds

L Color Diamonds (Faint to Light Color)

L color diamonds have a yellow tint that’s visible to the naked eye in normal lighting conditions. Diamonds with this color grade are much more affordable than those in the G to J range, making them a good value for money option.

Because of the yellow tint, we don’t recommend the L color grade for non-round diamond shapes. We also don’t recommend it for diamonds set in platinum or white gold. However, L color round brilliant cut diamonds can still look great in yellow gold solitaire rings due to the warm, yellow tone of the metal.

See L Graded Diamonds

M Color Diamonds (Faint to Light Color)

M color diamonds have a definite yellow tint that’s visible to the naked eye. Like K and L diamonds, M color diamonds offer fantastic value for money when compared to near colorless or colorless diamonds.

The M color grade is typically the lowest color grade offered by online diamond vendors. Although M color diamonds can look warm and beautiful in antique yellow gold settings, their color is quite easy to notice even with the naked eye.

See M Graded Diamonds

N-Z Color Diamonds (Faint to Light Color)

Diamonds in the N to Z range have noticeable yellow or brown tinting. These diamonds are available at a much lower price point than faintly tinted or near colorless diamonds. We do not recommend diamonds of an N-Z grade.

What Are H Color Diamonds?

If you are considering an H color diamond, you are right in the wheelhouse of our favorite color to recommend. After all, who wouldn’t want a stunning diamond like this one from Blue Nile? Can you really tell the difference between that diamond and this D color diamond? Even if you notice a slight difference, is it worth spending 40% more?

Diamonds can range a great deal in color, from totally colorless to quite strongly yellow tinted. In some cases, diamonds can even come in fancy colors such as pink and champagne.

GIA, the worlds leading diamond certification laboratory, grades as such: “A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond has no hue, like a drop of pure water, and consequently, a higher value. GIA’s D-to-Z diamond color-grading system measures the degree of colorlessness by comparing a stone under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions to masterstones of established color value.”

The stronger a diamond’s natural yellow tint, the lower its grade, resulting in a letter further into the alphabet.

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A diamond that’s as close to perfectly free of color as possible will receive a grade of D. These diamonds are extremely rare and make up a tiny percentage of all diamonds sold. They tend to cost a significant amount more than diamonds with lower color grades.

H color diamonds are part of the “near-colorless” area of the GIA’s color scale. This means that they appear almost totally colorless when they’re viewed with the naked eye, but could show a slight yellow tint when they’re viewed under magnification by an expert gemologist.

If you’ve read our guide to diamond color, you might have seen that we recommend the H color grade quite a lot — in fact, it’s our recommendation for many diamond shapes set in metals like white gold and platinum.

This is because, contrary to what many diamond jewelers will tell you, the difference between a D color diamond and an H color diamond is often surprisingly difficult to spot, particularly for a non-expert without a jeweler’s loupe handy.

However, the difference in the diamond price is very easy to see — something we’ll cover a little further down the page.

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Comparison: H Color Diamonds vs. Other Color Grades

As we mentioned above, the H color grade is part of the “near-colorless” range of the diamond color scale developed by the GIA. In fact, the H color is actually the second-highest color grade in this category (G is the highest, with D, E and F part of the “colorless” range).

Because H color diamonds aren’t part of the “colorless” section of the scale, it’s quite common for people to assume that they must have an obvious, visible yellow color.

However, this is not the case. Even in a brightly lit room and under magnification, it’s very hard to tell the difference between an H color diamond and a diamond with a color grade that’s in the colorless range.

To illustrate this point, try for yourself. On the left side of the image below is this 1.06 carat, VS2 clarity, H color round brilliant cut diamond from James Allen. To its right is this diamond from James Allen, which is almost equal in size, clarity and cut but with a D color grade:

As you can see, even under bright lighting and at 20x magnification, it’s very difficult to see any difference in color between these two diamonds.

Now, imagine trying to spot the difference between the diamond on the left and the diamond on the right in natural light, without magnification and with the diamond set in a ring that’s worn on your fiancé-to-be’s finger.

Viewed from the side, the difference in color between the two diamonds becomes slightly more visible. However, it’s still very subtle even with bright lighting and magnification:

What isn’t subtle is the difference in price between these diamonds. The D color diamond from James Allen costs $6,260. The H color diamond costs $5,480 — slightly over 14% less.

One reason that the difference in color between these two diamonds is so subtle is the cut. Both of these diamonds use the round brilliant cut, which is excellent at reducing the visible color of a diamond because of its pattern of light-reflecting facets.

In other cuts, the yellow tint of an H color diamond is more obvious. Below, we’ve compared this 1.05 carat, VS2 clarity, H color marquise cut diamond from James Allen to another marquise diamond of a similar size with a D color grade:

As you can see, the difference in color is more visible this time, at least with the help of lighting and 20x magnification.

H Color Diamond Pricing

Just like cut quality and clarity, a diamond’s color grade can have a significant impact on how much it costs to purchase.

In the right cut, an H color diamond can offer outstanding value for money. For example, the H color round cut diamond from James Allen we featured in the comparison above costs almost $800 less than an equally large, clear and well-cut diamond with a D color grade.

By buying this diamond instead of a colorless diamond with a D, E or F color grade, you’ll have almost $800 extra that you can put towards a beautiful setting.

In shapes other than the round brilliant cut, the pricing difference between a D, E or F color diamond and an H color diamond can be even bigger.

For example, this 1.01 carat, VS2 clarity, ideal cut, D color princess cut diamond from James Allen costs $4,660. This princess cut diamond from James Allen has the same clarity, cut quality and carat weight with an H color grade. It’s available for $3,360 — a difference of $1,300, or about 28%.

In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from 15% to 30% less for an H color diamond than you would for a diamond with a D color grade.

When is it a Good Idea to Buy an H Color Diamond?

If you’ve read our full guide to diamond color, you may have noticed that we recommend the H color grade quite often.

H color diamonds offer a fantastic combination of aesthetics and value for money. Since they’re in the near-colorless range of the diamond color scale, they almost always look colorless when they’re set in a ring. At the same time, they’re significantly cheaper than D, E or F diamonds.

Overall, we think that the H color grade is an excellent choice for most diamonds. However, as with all color grades, there are situations where a diamond with a higher or lower color grade is a better choice.

Below, we’ve listed our color recommendations for round diamonds, as well as other diamonds shapes. We’ve also explained how the setting you choose can affect the look of an H diamond and the value for money it offers.

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For Round Diamonds

For round diamonds, the H color is a great choice. The round brilliant cut does a fantastic job of reflecting light, making it extremely difficult to see any difference in color between an H diamond and a colorless diamond even under heavy magnification.

In fact, we think the H color grade is the highest you should go on the color scale when buying a round diamond. If you choose a more expensive diamond with a grade higher than H, you’ll pay for a feature that you won’t ever be able to notice or appreciate.

As you may know, the metal you choose for your fiancé-to-be’s engagement ring can affect the appearance of the diamond. White metals, such as white gold and platinum, make color easier to see, while metals like yellow and rose gold can make clear diamonds look more yellow.

We feel comfortable recommending the H color grade for round brilliant cut diamonds in metals such as platinum and white gold. Set in an engagement ring setting of any style, a well-cut H color diamond can look colorless and absolutely stunning.

For colored metals such as yellow and rose gold, the H color grade is also fine. However, you’ll actually be better off choosing a lower color grade, such as a J color diamond, as the gold color of the metal will make any diamond appear slightly yellow anyway.

For Other Diamond Shapes

The H color grade is a good choice for most diamond shapes. However, there are a few shapes that show color more readily than others, meaning you may want to choose a better color grade if you’re shopping for a diamond in one of these shapes. We’ve covered all of these below.

For the Asscher, princess and emerald cuts, an H color diamond is absolutely fine. Diamonds in these shapes don’t conceal color as well as the round brilliant cut, but they still reflect more than enough light to make an H color diamond look virtually identical to a colorless one.

If you’re choosing a colored metal such as yellow or rose gold, you can even drop below the H color grade and choose an Asscher, princess or emerald cut diamond in the J grade.

For other diamond shapes set in white metal, H is the lowest color grade we feel comfortable recommending. For yellow and rose gold, the H color grade is absolutely fine, although you can safely drop down to the I to J range without much of a visual difference.

H Color Diamonds and Side Stone, Halo and Pavé Settings

As well as the metal you choose for your setting, the type of setting design you choose has an impact on whether or not a diamond color is suitable.

For example, halo, pavé and side stone engagement rings all feature small diamonds set near or beside the center stone. To avoid the center stone looking overly dark or yellow, these small diamonds need to be close in color to the diamond you choose for the center stone.

For example, this trellis halo diamond engagement ring from James Allen has small diamonds surrounding the center stone, as well as pavé diamonds. Because of the halo, it’s better to have an H or higher color center diamond to avoid any possible yellowness.

This is only an issue with halo settings. Side stone and pavé styles look amazing with an I color center. If you’re buying a solitaire setting, the center stone will be the only diamond in the ring, meaning there’s no need for you to worry about matching the color of the center diamond.

FAQs About H Color Diamonds

Is H or J better diamond color?

H is a better diamond color grade than J. An H grade is two levels higher on the diamond color grading scale, and you may be able to notice the difference when comparing side-by-side. Yet J can sometimes be the better purchase, depending on the setting and type of metal, as a J color diamond may still appear colorless when set in an engagement ring.

Should I buy an H color diamond?

H color diamonds often make a great purchase, as they fall in the sweet spot where a diamond appears colorless, yet you’re not overpaying for a grade you don’t need. Consider, however, if you can go lower still, to an I or J color diamond without compromising on quality.

Will an H color diamond sparkle?

An H color grade will not negatively affect the way a diamond reflects light. Other factors are more important – such as the diamond’s shape and cut quality. But assuming no issues with these, an H color diamond can display beautiful fire and brilliance.

Is an H color diamond good?

H color diamonds are considered near-colorless, and thus a very good place to look when you’re shopping for a diamond. They’re likely to appear “white” or colorless to the naked eye, yet are much better value than higher-graded diamonds.

Conclusion

For most diamonds, the H color grade is an excellent choice. A well-cut H color diamond looks colorless to the naked eye, all while costing anywhere from 15 to 30% less than a comparable diamond with a D color grade.

This means that you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars by picking an H color diamond over a colorless one, letting you choose a more beautiful setting or simply save money for your wedding, honeymoon or for your future together with your fiancé-to-be.

In some cases, such as with a yellow or rose gold setting and a round brilliant cut diamond, you may be able to drop down to an I or J color grade without needing to worry about the diamond’s appearance.

If you need help buying an H color diamond or choosing the right color grade, contact us. Our experts can help you choose the ideal diamond engagement ring for your tastes, preferences and budget.

Here are more specific color topics to browse:

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