Color grading chart for Colorless Diamonds

Colorless, and near colorless diamonds are graded face down to determine the shade- as shown above. Below are the same diamonds, face up.

For this reason not every D looks the same "face-up". The different shapes do give diamonds a different look, but there are no hard fast rules as to which shape shows the most color. In our experience, each diamond needs to be judged on it's own. We've seen Emerald cut L colored diamonds that looked white, and G colored Round Brilliant Diamonds that seemed to show some tint. In general, a well cut diamond can look great in any shade.

The diamonds below were all graded by GIA. Photos are un-retouched, and in our opinion give a good idea of a diamond's "face up" color.