When shopping for laboratory-grown diamonds, colour is one specification that affects how a stone looks. Colour refers to the amount of visible body colour in the stone and is recorded using a standard grading scale from D to Z. The differences between neighbouring grades can be subtle, but understanding the grades makes product specifications easier to read. From colourless stones to those with increasingly visible warmth, each point on the scale describes a different colour characteristic. This guide explains the laboratory grown diamond colour grading system, what different colours mean, what can influence colour, and how to choose a grade for your jewellery. What Does Laboratory Grown Diamond Colour Mean? Laboratory-grown diamond colour describes the amount of visible body colour present in a stone. The grading scale begins with D and progresses towards Z, with colour becoming progressively more noticeable along the scale. D represents the highest colour grade, while stones further down the scale show increasingly visible warmth. The colour grade is assessed separately from clarity, carat and cut, so it provides specific information about colour rather than describing the stone. The lab-grown diamond colour chart below shows how the D–Z scale is generally grouped: D → Z Colour Scale D–FColourless G–JNear Colourless K–MFaint N–RVery Light S–ZLight Colourless Increasingly warm → Lab-Grown Diamond Colour Chart Colour Grade Category What It Means D–F Colourless Little to no noticeable body colour G–J Near Colourless Very slight colour may be present K–M Faint A subtle warm tint becomes more apparent N–R Very Light Visible light colour is present S–Z Light Colour becomes increasingly noticeable This chart provides a broad overview, while the individual grade gives a more precise indication of where a laboratory-grown diamond sits within its category. What Do the Different Colour Grades Mean? The laboratory grown diamond colour scale is arranged in a continuous sequence, with each grade representing a specific position on the D–Z scale. Looking at the grades individually helps explain the small distinctions within each colour category. Colour is assessed separately from clarity, carat and cut — one grade, one specification. D–F D–F Colourless D, E and F make up the colourless category. D sits at the top of the scale, followed by E and F. This range is worth exploring if you want your jewellery to have a bright, crisp and colourless look. The stone itself takes centre stage, making it a natural choice when you want its sparkle to stand out without a visible tint. G–J G–J Near Colourless G through J form the near-colourless category. G is closest to the colourless range, while J sits at the lower end of this group. If you want a stone that looks white in jewellery without specifically choosing the highest colour grades, G–J can be a practical range to consider — a near-colourless appearance with more grades to compare. K–M K–M Faint K through M are classified as faint. At this point on the scale, a visible tint becomes part of the stone's appearance. These grades can suit you if you are comfortable with a softer, warmer look and do not need your jewellery to have a completely colourless appearance. N–R N–R Very Light N through R fall within the very light category. The colour is more noticeable here, making this range suitable if you want the tint to be visible. If you like jewellery with a distinctive, visibly coloured stone and are less focused on a white-looking appearance, this range can be an option to explore. S–Z S–Z Light S–Z make up the light category and sit at the most visibly coloured end of the standard scale. The tint becomes a prominent part of the stone's overall appearance, so these grades can appeal if you want the colour itself to add character to your jewellery. What Factors Can Change How Colour Looks? The colour grade itself is not the only factor affecting what you see. Several visual conditions can influence how the colour appears, especially when assessing subtle body colour differences. Lighting Different light sources can make subtle tones easier or harder to notice. Natural daylight, jewellery store lighting, and indoor lighting may each affect how a laboratory grown diamond's colour is perceived. Viewing angle Looking at the stone from different directions can change the amount of body colour that is visible, which may affect how its colour grade appears to the eye. Background The surface behind a laboratory grown diamond can influence your perception of subtle colour differences. A white, grey, or darker background may make faint tints noticeable. Stone size Larger stones can make body colour easier to observe because there is more material through which the colour can be perceived. This can be particularly relevant when comparing larger laboratory grown diamonds with similar colour grades. Which Colour Grade Is Ideal? The right colour grade depends on the appearance you want from your jewellery. For a strongly colourless look, D–F falls within the colourless category and sits at the top of the scale. G–J falls in the near-colourless range and offers another option when comparing higher colour grades. Within this range, F–G is particularly relevant to beYon jewellery because its VS-FG specification combines Very Slightly Included clarity with an F–G colour range. For those who appreciate a warmer colour character, K–M and the grades below it provide increasingly visible body colour. Rather than treating one grade as universally preferable, use the colour chart to identify the range that corresponds with the appearance you prefer, then check the exact grade listed for the jewellery. What Does beYon's VS-FG Specification Mean? beYon uses VS-FG to describe two important qualities of its laboratory-grown diamonds: clarity and colour. VS-FG in practice — a stone that reads bright and clear to the naked eye. VS Very Slightly Included It may have very small internal marks, but they are usually difficult to see without magnification. The laboratory grown diamond should generally look clean and clear to the naked eye. FG F–G Colour Range F and G are high colour grades, so the laboratory grown diamond should appear colourless or nearly colourless rather than noticeably yellow. So, is VS-FG good? Yes. It is a good-quality specification for jewellery. The laboratory grown diamond should look clear, bright, and close to colourless, while offering a practical balance between appearance and price. You don't need the highest possible grade for a laboratory-grown diamond to look beautiful. The two parts describe different things: VS tells you about clarity, while FG tells you about colour. Together, VS-FG means the laboratory-grown diamond is expected to have good clarity and a high colour grade. Colour and Clarity Chart: What to Check When reading a laboratory grown diamond stone colour and clarity chart, use it as a reference alongside the individual product specifications. This is especially useful when comparing jewellery that differs in stone count, cut, or design. Colour grade Check the specific colour grade listed for the laboratory grown diamond. This tells you where the stone sits on the established grading scale. Clarity grade Look for the stated clarity category rather than assuming it from the product photograph. The clarity specification provides information you can't determine from colour alone. Carat weight Check whether the listed weight applies to one laboratory-grown diamond or several stones together. This prevents confusion when comparing jewellery with different numbers of stones. Cut and shape Look at the cut alongside the colour and clarity specifications. Different shapes create different outlines and can give the finished jewellery a distinct visual character. Gold karat Check whether the jewellery is made with 14 KT or 18 KT gold. The gold choice contributes to the overall appearance of the finished piece and is another specification to compare. Certificate Check the authenticity certificate for the relevant jewellery specifications. At beYon, this includes details about the laboratory-grown diamonds. Conclusion Understanding colour grades makes it easier to shop for laboratory-grown diamond jewellery with confidence and choose specifications that suit the look you have in mind. At beYon, VS-FG offers a considered combination of clarity and colour, making it a specification worth exploring across the collection. Take a closer look at beYon's laboratory grown diamond jewellery to find a piece that brings together the specifications and design you prefer. FAQs Q1. Does a higher colour grade mean a larger laboratory grown diamond? No, colour and carat measure different characteristics. A higher colour grade does not indicate greater carat weight or a larger stone. Q2. Can two laboratory grown diamonds with the same colour grade look different? Yes, their finished appearance can vary because of differences in cut, shape, proportions, and setting. The jewellery design can therefore affect how the stone looks. Q3. Is D the highest laboratory grown diamond colour grade? Yes. D is the highest position on the standard D–Z colour grading scale and falls within the colourless category. E and F are also classified as colourless. Q4. Is F–G a good colour range? F–G represents a high colour range. F is classified as colourless, while G falls into the near-colourless category.