Diamonds range in color from icy winter whites to warm summer whites. Diamonds are graded on a color scale established by the Gemological Institute of America(GIA) which ranges from D (colorless) to Z.

Color differences are very subtle and it is very difficult to see the differene between, say, an E and an F. Therefore, colors are graded under controlled lighting conditions and are compared to a master set for accuracy.

Truly colorless stones (D) are extremely rare and consequently extremely valuable, yet color ultimately comes down to personal taste. Ask a jeweler to show you a variety of color grades next to one another to help you determine your color preference.

Diamonds can also be found in fancy colors. Fancy colors include, pink, blue, green, yellow, brown, orange and, very rarely, red. These colors are particularly rare and valuable.

Some famous colored diamonds include the Hope diamond and the De Beers diamond.