Yellow Diamonds

What Are Yellow Diamonds?

Yellow diamonds are formed when nitrogen impurities replace carbon in the diamond lattice. This quirk of nature allows the stone to absorb specific wavelengths of light, leaving a glorious yellow hue. 

Desired for centuries, they are still recognized and remain among the most popular fancy-colored diamonds, while remaining unique.

You will notice that each stone is naturally unique in color saturation and tone, ranging from a subtle warmth to a vivid canary brilliance. 

Yellow Diamond Color Grading:

The GIA uses a fancy color grading scale for yellow diamonds, separate from the regular D-Z grading you may be familiar with in colorless diamonds. More intensity almost always results in a higher value and rarity. 

• Fancy Light Yellow

• Fancy Yellow

• Fancy Intense Yellow

• Fancy Vivid Yellow

• Fancy Deep Yellow

Slight yellow coloring can be found in near-colored stones, but they become the ‘fancy’ yellow diamonds featured here once they gain an intense yellow with slight tints. 

Secondary grade modifiers may also apply. These indicate the ‘mood’ the stone displays, which can increase or decrease its value. For example, in a ‘greenish yellow’ grade, the stone is yellow but with a slight green tint. 

Why Should I Buy a Yellow Diamond?

Yellow diamonds have long been popular because they are similar to slightly tinted white diamonds. They go one step further, offering a vibrant yellow that isn’t available in white options. 

Amongst natural fancy-color diamonds, yellow diamonds make up around 60% of the market, showing their popularity but relative rarity. The benefit is that you can get a genuinely stunning, statement yellow diamond in a good size at a price far below that of pink, blue, or green stones. 

Yellow diamonds are also prized for their versatility. Despite their vibrant color, they work well in many shapes and settings and pair beautifully with white accent stones. 

Finally, the yellow represents joy, optimism, warmth, and sunshine, which makes it perfect for milestone gifts that look to the future. 

Yellow Diamond Shape and Cut Guide

As with all fancy color diamonds, the cut and shape of the stone can have a significant impact on color perception: 

Cushion

Cushion-cut stones feature soft square corners with significant facets. These ‘collect’ the color, providing a richer and deeper yellow tone. 

• Featured: 

• 10.00 Yellow VS1 Fancy Color Cushion Diamond

• 3.05 Yellow VS1 Fancy Color Cushion Diamond

• 1.13 Yellow IF Fancy Color Cushion Diamond

Radiant

Whether square or rectangular, radiant stones feature a brilliant-cut facet that maximizes the sparkle and color of any fancy yellow diamond. 

• Featured: 

• 6.69 Yellow VVS2 Fancy Color Radiant Diamond

Oval: 

Oval is an excellent choice for spreading the yellow across the stone's face, creating lively, intense brilliance. 

Pear

Elongated brilliant cuts, such as pear, marquise, or heart, give a bold, distinct look by emphasizing the color along their length. 

FAQs: Yellow Diamonds

Are yellow diamonds real diamonds?

Yes, certified yellow diamonds are absolutely real; they gain their color from nitrogen impurities during formation. 

Do yellow diamonds sparkle?

Yes. Yellow diamonds offer a brilliant sparkle. They’re nearly identical in composition to colorless diamonds. 

How are yellow diamonds graded?

Yellow diamonds are graded using the ‘4Cs’ (cut, clarity, carat, and color). However, their color grade differs from that of colorless diamonds (D-Z); instead, the GIA uses a fancy yellow color grading system listed above. 

What is a "canary diamond"?

A canary diamond is the term given to the most intensely saturated yellow diamonds (such as Fancy Vivid Yellow or Fancy Intense Yellow grades). 

Are yellow diamonds more expensive than colorless diamonds?

Not universally. It all depends on the intensity of the yellow color and other factors of the stones you’re comparing. However, in general, fancy color diamonds are more valuable due to their extreme rarity. 

Which yellow diamonds are most valuable?

Assuming the cut, clarity, and carat are the same, then the price will be affected by the intensity of the yellow coloring, such as Intense/vivid yellow diamonds. You should also note that:

• Larger carat weights are exponentially rarer.

• High clarity grades (VVS, IF) add significant value

• Pure yellow (no secondary color modifiers) is typically the most desirable

Can I create a custom yellow diamond engagement ring?

Yes. Brian Gavid Diamonds welcomes you to contact us today to discuss a customized engagement ring featuring a yellow diamond. Using high-end precision and exacting standards, we’ll help you fine-tune a stunning stone into a design that suits both your partner’s vision and personality.