Diamonds are found with a range of colors, from faint yellow or brown through to the very rare pinks, blues, and greens known as fancies. Although most gem-quality diamonds when seen alone appear to be colorless to the untrained eye, there are subtle differences in shade. Color in diamonds results from traces of other elements which mixed with carbon during the diamond's formation.

Diamonds with no traces of color are extremely rare and more valuable.

To determine a diamond's true color, the diamond is viewed from the side and is compared to diamonds in a Master Set whose colors have been predetermined by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The color grading scale is from totally colorless to light yellow.

The difference between one grade and another Is very subtle, as can be seen by the number of grades within any one category.