Lab-Grown Diamond Color Guide: How Lab Diamonds Are Graded
Learn how lab-grown diamond color grades are determined, how they influence beauty and value, and explore the GIA’s official color scale.
Published: November 2025 · Last updated: November 2025
1. What Is Lab-Grown Diamond Color?
Color in a lab-grown diamond measures the absence of body color when viewed face-down under controlled lighting and compared to a master set. Colorless stones (D–F) appear icy white; near-colorless stones (G–H) face up bright white in most settings and often deliver the best value.
Color interacts with the other 4 C’s. A superior cut returns more light, helping a near-colorless lab diamond look whiter, while clarity and carat size influence how visible warmth may be in different lighting.
2. Color Ranges and Real-World Appearance
- D–F (Colorless) — Icy white; premium pricing.
- G–H (Near-Colorless) — Bright white face-up; best value for most buyers.
- I–J (Near-Colorless) — Slight warmth in certain lights; still white in many settings.
- K+ (Faint/Light) — Noticeable warmth; often chosen for yellow or rose gold jewelry.
Every lab diamond from LabCreated.Diamonds is H or better color and VS1 or better clarity for consistent premium quality.
3. How Color Is Graded
Independent laboratories compare each lab-grown diamond against a standardized master set under neutral lighting. For lab diamonds, grading is recognized by IGI and GIA.
For a detailed visual reference, you can view the official GIA Diamond Color Chart directly on GIA’s website — the global authority on gem grading. It will open in a new tab so you can explore the official color scale while staying on this page.
4. Fluorescence and Perceived Color
Some lab-grown diamonds display faint to strong blue fluorescence when viewed under ultraviolet (UV) light. While faint or medium fluorescence usually has little visible effect, strong fluorescence can sometimes cause a hazy or “fuzzy” appearance in certain lighting conditions. Fluorescence is a natural optical characteristic, not a flaw, but it’s important to review it on a grading report to understand how it may affect appearance.
5. Choosing the Right Color for Your Setting
6. Our Lab-Grown Diamond Color Standards
- • All lab diamonds are IGI or GIA certified and laser-inscription matched.
- • Stocked exclusively in H or better color and VS1 or better clarity.
- • Verified under 20× magnification for consistent quality and accurate grading.
- • Ships within 3–6 business days via FedEx Insured Delivery (adult signature required).