How to Pick the Right Diamond Color for an Engagement Ring? (2022)

Is it possible to alter the diamond’s hue by altering the ring’s precious metal? In a nutshell, no. However, it can alter how you see color, so it sort of can. Actually, this isn’t always a negative thing. If you want to know which precious metal is best for you, it’s crucial that you grasp how this impact operates.
In this piece, we’ll explain how the precious metal of your engagement ring might alter the hue of your diamond and provide you with tips for taking this into account during your search.
The appearance of diamonds is altered when they are set with precious metals.
To what end would the diamond’s appearance be altered by the precious metal it is set in? Everything has to do with how the light is reflected. To maximize their brilliance, diamonds are cut to reflect and refract light. Diamonds, however, reflect not only light but also their surroundings. Every diamond cut and size, no matter how many carats they contain, will look the same. Therefore, every diamond can take on the hue of its setting.
White gold, yellow gold, rose gold, and platinum are the four most common precious metals used to create engagement ring settings. The majority of people choose precious metals for the setting of their diamond engagement ring for aesthetic reasons alone. However, the diamond’s reflection in the ring’s precious metal setting is something to think about as well.
Diamond and Precious Metal Complementation
Just like other gemstone jewelry for example tanzanite jewelry or ruby jewelry, there is a scale for evaluating the degree of colorlessness in white diamonds. D, E, and F colorless diamonds are the most valuable, while G, H, and I toned diamonds are very nearly colorless and K, L, and M diamonds will be noticeably yellow.
Here we’ll go through the precious metals that are most commonly recommended by the jewelry industry’s specialists to complement each of these diamond color ranges.
1. Diamonds in the D-F Color Range and Other Valuable Metals
Experts, such as those at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), agree that colorless diamonds look best when set in platinum or white gold. True colorless diamonds are extremely uncommon and valuable, and most people who spring for one expect it to appear colorless. The D-to-F color range of diamonds might appear slightly yellow due to the reflection of the setting’s yellow or rose gold.
Choose a mixed metal design with a white metal basket and prong area and a yellow gold or rose gold band if you have your heart set on a colorless diamond but can’t bring yourself to give up the idea of a yellow or rose gold setting. We often do this trick with our gold chains as well.
In this manner, your colorless diamond will still look as white as possible, despite the appearance of a yellow or rose gold ring, thanks to the white reflection of the platinum or white gold prongs.
The only exception to this guideline is if you don’t mind the possibility that your otherwise colorless diamond will take on a very subtle tint from reflecting a rose or yellow gold ring setting. It’s common for people to choose their colorless diamond in a yellow or rose gold setting because it brings out the ring’s overall glow.
2. Diamonds in the G-J Color Range and Other Valuables
Most people won’t even notice the little yellowish tinge that affects diamonds rated G through J. Generally speaking if you want your diamond to seem as white as possible, a white gold or platinum setting is recommended, as diamonds in this area of the diamond color scale are nearly colorless.
A G-to-J color diamond will look beautiful and set in either yellow or rose gold. However, you should be aware that the warmer tones of precious metals can make your diamond appear to be a shade less white than it truly is. As we indicated in the previous paragraph, this isn’t universally reviled; some may even find the resulting beauty appealing. However, before settling on a scene, give some thought to how you’d react in that place.
3. Colored Diamonds, From K to Z
Yellowish tints are readily apparent in diamonds rated K through Z. In order to create a unified look for your diamond ring, many professional jewelers and gemologists advise choosing a yellow gold setting. Since rose gold also has warm golden undertones, it can be an appropriate choice here.
Still, if you like, you can put a K-Z diamond in a white gold or platinum mounting. It’s important to note that these shiny white metals can draw attention to the diamond’s underlying yellow hue.