While many diamonds appear colorless, or white, they may actually have subtle yellow or brown tones that can be detected when comparing diamonds side by side. Diamonds were formed under intense heat and pressure, and traces of other elements may have been incorporated into their atomic structure accounting for the variances in color.

Diamond color grades start at D and continue through the alphabet. Truly colorless diamonds, grade D, are extremely rare and very valuable. D, E and F are considered colorless, G, H and I are considered near colorless, while J, K, and L have a light tint of color. The closer the diamond is to being colorless, the rarer and more valuable it is. A single color grade difference can significantly affect a diamond's value.

Although the presence of color makes a diamond less rare and valuable, some diamonds come out of the ground with vivid "fancy" colors-well-defined reds, blues, pinks, greens, and bright yellows. These are highly prized and extremely rare.
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