What is a Yellow Diamond? The Ultimate Guide to Fancy Canary Yellow Diamonds
Yellow diamonds have long held a place of fascination within the world of fine jewellery, admired for their rarity, warmth and unmistakable presence. Whether adding a splash of colour to your autumn wardrobe or investing in a timeless treasure, every piece created by Valeria's Secret is crafted with exceptional attention to detail.
The Colourless and Fancy Yellow Colour Scales
Where does the Yellow colour begin? Well, the colour scale of a natural colourless diamond is graded from D - Z. However, close to where the colourless scale ends, the fancy colour diamond scale begins. So-called Cape Diamonds are stones that fall within the X - Y - Z range of the colourless scale, they contain very noticeable traces of yellow or brown colour tones and represent the transition from colourless to coloured diamonds. This means that not all technically yellow diamonds can be called Fancy Yellow. You can read more about the diamond colour scale on the International Gem Society (IGS) website here: https://www.gemsociety.org/article/diamond-color/ or on the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) website here: https://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/blog/yearning-yellow-diamonds/
To be called 'Fancy', a gem should reach a threahold of colour saturation. Fancy Yellow (otherwise known as Canary diamonds) and Fancy Brown diamonds (otherwise known as Cognac, Whiskey, or Champagne diamonds) are the only colour diamonds that start from within the colourless grading scale.
What is a Yellow Diamond ?
Fancy Yellow diamonds are far more common than most of the other fancy diamond colours, however, they are still rarer than top-tier colourless diamonds. Fancy diamonds look exotic, yet Fancy Yellow diamonds remain competitively affordable due to their relative abundance. Their striking and alluring appearance provides a sharp contrast to colourless diamonds, no wonder, the demand for Fancy Yellow, Brown, and Cape Diamonds has been steadily increasing over the past three decades. Many shoppers feel that going with a Fancy Yellow diamond is a perfect first step into the fancy coloured diamond world since their appearance is magnificent while the cost is not as extravagant.
Fancy Yellow diamonds are graded according to the hue of yellow colour within the stones. Diamonds at the top of the scale contain the weakest tone of yellow and are known as Light Yellow, they also look more similar to Cape Diamonds. These stones are predominantly yellow but with almost equal traces of white throughout the stones. At the other end of the scale are diamonds that contain the strongest, more intense or vivid tones of yellow, also known as Fancy Vivid Yellow. These stones have virtually no white traces and, depending on the colour saturation and distribution, contain the highest concentration of yellow colour throughout.
Fancy Yellow Colour Intensity
The Fancy Yellow diamond colour scale is not as simple as a straight line, it encompasses different shades and even overtones. Pure Yellow diamonds with no overtones can be found with six different colour grades: Light Yellow (X - Y - Z range), Fancy Light Yellow, Fancy Yellow, Fancy Intense Yellow, Fancy Vivid Yellow, and Fancy Deep Yellow - and all are 100% completely natural colours. Yellow diamonds with other overtones, can also appear with a Fancy Dark intensity.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades Fancy Yellow diamonds as follows:
• Fancy Light Yellow
• Fancy Yellow
• Fancy Intense Yellow
• Fancy Vivid Yellow (the rarest and most vibrant)
• Fancy Dark / Deep Yellow
Going with the most vibrant yellow colour is not a must, as some shoppers genuinely prefer more pastel shades, seeing them as more understated, sophisticated, and elegant, adding a moderate touch of colour. Wisely chosen setting can noticeably highlight or strengthen the diamond's natural colour. The cut of the diamond can also enable a better intensity of colour, hence the importance of purchasing a diamond from someone you trust and who has professional knowledge.
The most popular choices amongst the fine jewellery shoppers are the classic Fancy Yellow and Fancy Intense Yellow gems, they are unmistakably yellow in their appearance, typically do not require to break the bank, and are within the fancy category making them great as investment. And for those who can afford them, are the rarest of all and most expensive Fancy Vivid Yellow.
GIA Fancy Yellow Diamond Colour Scale
Secondary Hues
A pure or straight fancy colour stone with only one colour present is preferred by most, but the majority of coloured diamonds actually contain one, two, or even up to three overtone colours. The secondary shades most common in Fancy Yellow diamonds are green and orange. The pure dark tones often contain brownish or greenish hues. Although most buyers prefer a pure colour stone, certain colour combinations, such as an Orangy Yellow, can be quite mesmerising. Some Yellow diamonds are also Chameleon Diamonds, where the diamond temporarily changes its colour when gently heated or when left in darkness for a period of time.
Why a Yellow Diamond for an Engagement Ring
Fancy Yellow diamonds have recently been spotted as the center piece of some of the most breathtaking engagement rings. Natural Fancy Yellow diamonds have the ability to be far more alluring than the classic colourless diamond engagement ring, especially since they are so unique, even exotic, have 'more character' due to being vividly coloured, and have been found to lift mood instantly by reminding the wearer of the sunshine.
Importantly, fancy yellows are quite reasonably priced, yet still astonishing to look at especially when set in a beautifully crafted engagement ring. These financial considerations certainly add to making them an attractive choice.
Fancy coloured diamond are preferably set in yellow gold since the ring itself should be designed around the colour of the gems. The gold colour when reflecting through the diamond, increases the face-up colour of the diamond by at least one intensity grade.
Of course, similar to any other diamonds, fancy yellows can be found in all cuts, such as Asscher, Oval, Marquise, Pear, Radiant, Heart, Cushion, Round and Princess. However, specific cuts like Radiant or Cushion are known to maximize the colour saturation of coloured diamonds. This specific feauture of tcuts is particularly important for coloured diamonds unlike white diamonds which are cut mainly for sparkle and clarity.
Famous Yellow Diamonds
Some of the most famous fancy yellows are The Incomparable, The Tiffany Yellow, The Graff Vivid Yellow, The Allnatt, The Florentine. The combination of their size, clarity, and rare colour made them so special. Only about 1 in 10,000 mined carats is a natural coloured diamond. Out of all coloured diamonds, yellow stones make up roughly 60%. And only about 4% to 6% of yellow diamonds achieve the top-tier Fancy Vivid colour grade. The ones with the excellent characteristics and large size are a truly rare find.
One of the most famous royal jewels to feature a Yellow diamond is the Diamond Diadem, commissioned in 1820 for the coronation of King George IV. Created by the celebrated royal jewellers Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, the diadem is set with more than 1,300 diamonds and features a four carat Fancy Light Yellow diamond at the centre of its front cross. Its place in British royal history was cemented by Queen Elizabeth II, who wore the diadem in one of her most recognisable portraits; the image on early Bank of England notes from 1960 onwards, bringing a jewel of exceptional royal provenance into everyday public life. Combining monarchy, craftsmanship and national identity; the Diamond Diadem remains one of the most iconic examples of yellow diamonds within historic high jewellery.
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