H Color Diamonds - Are They Good Enough or Too Yellow? (With Video) (2024)

A side by side comparison of D vs H color diamond rings. Can you identify them?

What is a H color diamond? Is a Hdiamond good enough for an engagement ring? Would a GIA grade H diamond be too yellow? How does a H colored diamond engagement ring look like when worn on a finger?

In this write up, we will reveal answers to these questions and everything you need to know about buying a H color diamond. You will also get to see indepth comparisons against other colors and see exactly how it looks like in real life.

Let’s dive right in!

What is a H Colored Diamond?

When gem quality diamonds are graded for color, they are assessed based on the absence of color in a face down manner under a controlled environment. They are then assigned a rating based on a scale of D-Z; with D being completely colorless and Z having a light color tint.

The H color rating falls under the category of “Near Colorless“. As you can see from the chart above, the differences in hue are very subtle from one grade to another. While these color distinctions are minute, they can result in big differences in value and prices.

Is a H Color Diamond Good Enough For an Engagement Ring?

When buying a diamond ring on a budget, one of the biggest concerns people have is whether a H color diamond is too yellow.

In fact,I know that the majority of shoppers simply jump to a conclusion about near colorless diamonds (G, H, I & J) appearing yellowbefore they even see them in real life.

Be it misguided sales talks or misleading information they read online, I want to set the record straight here. Unless you have a particularly sensitive eye for color nuances, chances are you won’t detect color tints in a well cut H color diamond.

In reality, this is how a H color diamond engagement ring looks like under different lighting conditions and environments.

The diamond ring above comes from James Allen and if you are looking for a beautiful engagement ring, make sure you check them out for yourself today!

D vs H vs K Color Diamond Engagement Rings Comparison

To give you a holistic idea of how different color diamonds look like, we performed a comparison across the GIA spectrum of colorless, near colorless and faint color.

In the following video, you will get to see the “best” color grade (D) being compared against a H and a K diamond ring.

So, can you see any differences in color tints between the various engagement rings? Do drop a comment below and leave your thoughts on how easy or difficult it is to detect nuances.

Should You Buy a H or I Color Diamond?

Well, it really depends on your personal preferences. I would say that it is almost impossible for a layperson to see differences between diamonds that are one color grade apart.

How Much Does a H Color Diamond Cost?

In my opinion, near colorless diamonds offer fantastic value for money and are great options for people with a smaller budget. Unlike a D color diamond that comes with a hefty premium, H color diamonds can offer a white looking appearance at a much lower cost.

Check out the table of price comparisons below to see how a diamond’s color grade can affect its price.

As you can see, a H diamond costs a lot less than a D diamond and the disparity in prices become more pronounced as carat size increases. If you aren’t that sensitive to color nuances, choosing a H diamond instead of a higher color diamond will save you a substantial sum of money.

Feel free to perform your own price comparison at James Allen to get a better idea of how color grades can affect pricing. When you are there, make sure you experience their revolutionary 360° videos.

How a H Diamond Looks Like in a White Gold/Platinum Setting

This 6 prong solitaire engagement ring in 14k white gold from JamesAllen.comfeatures a 0.616ct H VS2 round diamond. The total price of the ring comes in at $3,400 (diamond $2,400 + setting $1,000).

When worn on the finger and viewed casually, it’s extremely hard to see color differences. In fact, when I gave the ring to my wife, I asked her to make a guess of the diamond’s color. Guess what she replied?

She thought it was a D color diamond ring!

Even from the side profile view of the ring, the color tint is extremely hard to pick up because of the environmental colors (i.e. trying to see a transparent object’s color against a skin tone).

Let’s Wrap Things Up And Summarize!

While D colorless diamonds are desirable because people think they are of higher “quality”, they can get really expensive at higher carat sizes. H color diamonds are a great alternative for people who are looking for a white looking ring without breaking the bank.

As you had seen in the videos above, it isn’t that easy for a layperson to tell a H apart from a higher colored diamond. By placing your emphasis on cut quality, the diamond’s performance can help mask body color and make the diamond face up white.

I personally recommend buying a G or a H near colorless diamond if you are someone who is practical and can’t see color nuances. Instead of paying for a higher color diamond, you can put the money saved towards a better setting or other things in life.

With that, I hope you enjoyed the article and have a better idea about diamond color. If you have any questions or want to discuss your thoughts, feel free to leave a comment below!

Whether you are looking for a D or G or K color diamond, James Allen is the best place to shop for an engagement ring. Their revolutionary 360° videos enable you to SEE and SCRUTINIZE exactly what you are buying!

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