White Diamonds

Understanding Fancy White Diamonds

Fancy White Diamonds vs. Colorless (D-F) Diamonds

Colorless diamonds are often referred to as ‘white’. But they are entirely different in categorisation from fancy white diamonds. 

Colorless diamonds are prized for their high transparency and clarity, but fancy white diamonds have a ‘milky’ quality due to internal light scattering. 

Instead of sparkling brilliantly like colorless diamonds, their ethereal whiteness becomes an extremely rare, endearing quality.

How Fancy White Diamonds Form

Fancy white diamonds have microscopic inclusions (mere nanometers to micrometer-sized particles trapped in the lattice). These inclusions aren’t visible to the naked eye, but they scatter light in a balanced manner, giving a soft, snowy white effect. Some people even say it looks like they’re glowing!

How Fancy White Diamonds Are Graded

Fancy white diamonds are unusual in the diamond grading world, as the GIA classifies them simply as ‘Fancy White’. There is no grading system for color, such as ‘Light’ or ‘Vivid’, as there is for a blue diamond. 

Clarity rating also matters less than usual because the inclusions create the desired opalescent diamond effect. Instead, you will see them ranked by transparency, ranging from transparent to translucent to opaque. 

It’s the consistency of the opalescence that is most sought after. Patchy, or pinkish, or yellow overtones disrupt that sense of an ethereal glow. 

FAQs on Fancy White Diamonds

What’s the difference between fancy white diamonds and white diamonds?

Fancy white diamonds have a milky-like, opalescent ‘glow’ caused by submicroscopic inclusions; traditional ‘white’ diamonds (aka, colorless diamonds), however, are graded for their transparency and not really the color white. 

Are fancy white diamonds colorless?

No. Fancy white diamonds have a white, opalescent color. It is white (non-fancy) colorless diamonds. 

How rare are fancy white diamonds?

Fewer than 2,000 fancy white and fancy black diamonds have been graded by the GIA since 2008. The white portion accounts for a small share of that total, making it extremely rare.

What qualities should I prioritize in a fancy white diamond?

We recommend focusing on the uniform opalescent appearance to get a consistent ‘glow’ without patchiness and traces of other colors, such as pink. You will also want to consider the carat for the size of the fancy white loose diamond. 

Can I use a fancy white diamond for an engagement ring?

Absolutely! They make for a very unique engagement ring, with angelic, ethereal qualities. 

Can I customize jewelry with a fancy white diamond?

Yes, at BGD, we welcome you to design a customized ring or other jewelry piece featuring a fancy white diamond. Feel free to contact us today to discuss your vision.