Fancy yellow diamonds are part of the ‘coloured diamonds’ family, and can span the range of a pale yellow to an intense canary colour. As well as being incredibly beautiful, high quality specimens of these golden-hued gems are also rare in nature, making them a prized possession and sound investment for the savvy buyer.
The colour yellow is generally used to symbolise the sun, and thus warmth, renewal, hope and longevity. This makes fancy yellow stones a wonderful choice for engagement and eternity rings, as well as great gifts for occasions that celebrate new life or fresh beginnings.
Here are some of the things to bear in mind when selecting a Fancy Yellow Diamond:
Colour
The internationally recognised GIA (the Gemological Institute of America) colour scale is one of the primary ways of assessing the quality of gemstones. For white ‘colourless’ diamonds, the colour scale ranges between D to Z, and the closer to the latter you get the more ‘yellow-ish’ a diamond appears, something which degrades its value.
However, past the point of Z, the yellow colour starts to look less like a discolouration and more a resplendent shade of yellow. These prized diamonds are sometimes known as ‘Canary Diamonds’, with colour intensities as follows: Fancy Light Yellow, Fancy Yellow, Fancy Intense Yellow, and Fancy Vivid Yellow – the last of these being the most rare and thus the most expensive.
How does the colour occur?
Yellow diamonds are given their colouring by traces of nitrogen trapped in the stone. The greater the quantity of nitrogen, the yellower the diamond will appear.
Rarity
While naturally occurring coloured diamonds are not unduly rare, Canary diamonds are. Only 0.1% of mined diamonds possess the distinctive intense yellow colour.
Fluorescence
‘Fluorescence’ refers to the ‘glowing’ quality exhibited by some stones when exposed to UV light. It is often seen as a negative trait in white diamonds, however the reverse is true for yellow gemstones. Fluorescence in yellow diamonds is considered an advantage, as it increases the intensity of their colour and adds value to their price.
Clarity
With a fancy yellow diamond, its colour rather than its clarity is the most important factor. So, even diamonds with numerous ‘inclusions’ (imperfections inside the diamond, which adversely affect its clarity) are prized in stones if they are a deep, incandescent yellow.
Choosing a cut
Depending on personal taste, the most popular cuts for Fancy Yellow Diamonds are brilliant, princess, cushion and radiant. The primary reason for these cuts being used is because the faceting (the ‘flat’ surfaces cut into gemstone which make them reflect light) of these cuts intensifies the stone’s color:
- The round, brilliant cut diamond is the best-selling shape. Its circular outline suggests constancy, making the brilliant cut a popular choice for engagement and eternity rings.
- The princess cut diamond is, perhaps, the second most popular. Its distinctive pointed corners and square shape also make it a favourite for engagement rings. This type of cut should be housed in a setting that protects its vulnerable four corners, which are prone to chipping.
- A cushion cut diamond is a square shape with rounded corners, like a pillow or cushion (from which it derives its name). Created almost 200 years ago, it was once the most popular shape for diamonds. It’s a good choice for buyers who want a ring with a more traditional or ‘antique’ feel.
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- Radiant cut diamonds are square with cropped corners. A radiant cut is generally chosen when you can’t decided if you prefer the cushion or the princess cut. Additionally, the radiant cut is perfect for the brighter Vivid Fancy Yellow diamonds.
Mounts
To enhance the fabulous look of Fancy Yellow Diamonds, the stones are often set in distinctive ways. For example,
- It’s common for a yellow diamond to be mounted in a yellow gold setting, as the warmth of the yellow gold will increase the depth of colour in the yellow diamond. However, this can be deceptive when it comes to determining the value of the diamond itself, so it’s important that you consult with a reputable jeweller if you are buying a yellow diamond already mounted.
- Fancy Yellow diamonds are also often placed in a setting alongside other coloured diamonds, particularly white and blue, to provide an interesting contrast.
- Just as yellow gold mountings are used to deepen the colour of the stone, silver/white gold mountings are also used to emphasise the yellowness of the stone, particularly for vivid or intense fancy yellow diamonds.
Famous Fancy Yellow owners
Rest assured that if you do choose a fancy yellow diamond, you are going to be in some well-known company. The singer Seal gave supermodel Heidi Klum a 10 carat fancy yellow sitting atop a 2.5mm band paved with smaller canary diamonds when they got engaged.
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And he wasn’t alone – Carrie Underwood is frequently seen sporting her gorgeous yellow-and-white diamond engagement ring.
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There’s no doubt that, if you’re looking for something a little different, a Fancy Yellow diamond not only provides a classic and versatile piece of jewellery, but also one that adds the ‘wow’ factor.
by Australian Diamond Brokers : September 21st 2015 Come visit our store or browse our website to find out more.