Why Choose Yellow Diamond Rings
Diamonds of a different color often bring a sense of personalization and uniqueness to a wedding ring or engagement ring. Colored diamonds are particularly rare. In fact, colors like blue, red, and pink are very hard to come by. Even though not as common as white diamonds, you are likely to find a yellow diamond at virtually every jeweler. Because of their classification as a fancy diamond, yellow diamonds are graded a little bit differently than other diamonds. Let’s take a look at the history of yellow diamonds, get an insight into how they are graded, and explore why they are popular on a multitude of different ring types.
The history of yellow diamonds
Yellow diamonds weren’t historically known until the nineteenth century. In fact, the first yellow diamond was discovered in 1867 in South Africa. The Eureka diamond was discovered by a fifteen-year old. The diamond was entrusted to various people as its market value was researched. Eventually, DeBeers purchased the Eureka and donated it to the state of South Africa.
Some of the largest and most valuable diamonds ever sold have also been yellow diamonds. For example, the Cora Sun Drop diamond is a famous yellow diamond. Sized at 110.3 carats, it was sold at an auction for $10.9 million. The world’s largest yellow diamond, the Tiffany yellow diamond was originally sized at 287.2 carats. It was discovered in South Africa during the nineteenth century and was reduced in size by cutting it down to 128.54 carats to maximize its brilliance.
The yellow color in diamonds comes from nitrogen within the diamond crystals themselves. The nitrogen atoms make the diamond absorb more blue light from the color spectrum, giving the stone its yellow color. The more intense the color, the more nitrogen that is present in the diamond. At the end of the day, the more intense yellow color will add value to the diamond.
Yellow diamonds are rare. For every 10,000 carats of diamond that are mined worldwide, only one carat is a yellow diamond.
How are yellow diamonds graded?
If a yellow diamond falls outside the D to Z range, it is graded as fancy. The GIA color system assigns yellow diamonds the following grades: Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Dark, Fancy Deep, Fancy Intense, and Fancy Vivid. Jewelers are also very careful about the type of cut that they apply to yellow diamonds. Certain types of cuts can impact the intensity of the color when the diamond is viewed from above.
What types of cuts are popular for yellow diamonds?
The type of cuts that add vibrancy and fire to white diamonds might have the opposite effect on a yellow diamond. Round cuts tend to dilute the color qualities of a yellow diamond. For the best type of cut, consider radiant and cushion cuts. These two different types of cuts will render the highest sparkle possible.
Why are yellow diamonds popular?
Yellow diamonds resonate with jewelry buyers for two reasons, scarcity and uniqueness. Yellow diamonds are symbolic and common in engagement rings, signifying love, positivity, and happiness. Ultimately, they symbolize the hope of a long and happy relationship throughout life.
Some considerations to make when buying a yellow diamond ring
A yellow diamond will look good when it's a radiant or cushion cut. Many people will consider different types of metals for their yellow diamonds, or consider smaller white diamonds to accentuate the appearance of their yellow diamond setting. Platinum or white gold is always a good choice for yellow diamonds. These two white metals will create a sense of contrast with the yellow diamond, making sure that your ring is noticeable.
Some people might choose a halo setting on a yellow gold band with colorless diamond side stones. This will also accentuate the setting. For those that choose a deep color like rose gold, the rose gold metals will make the diamond appear darker than its actual color grade.
Many might not think of an eternity band for a yellow diamond ring setting. Eternity bands adorned with yellow diamonds are beautiful and can commemorate an important anniversary or a significant life event.
Are yellow diamonds cheaper than colorless diamonds?
Many people incorrectly assume that a yellow diamond is less valuable than a colorless diamond. However, that is not the case. As always, the value of a diamond depends upon many factors, such as its quality and cut. If your yellow diamond is graded as “fancy vivid,” that diamond can command anywhere from $8,000 to $10,000 per carat. Yellow diamonds are rare, valuable, and a unique way to express your commitment with an engagement ring or a wedding ring.
Are yellow diamonds conflict-free?
If you purchase a yellow diamond from King of Jewelry, you will be getting a high-quality conflict-free diamond. Traditionally, about half of the yellow diamonds in the world originated from Australia. Today, South Africa is one of the largest sources of yellow diamonds. Some yellow diamonds and other diamond colors are occasionally found in South America, in countries like Brazil. While yellow diamonds made in a lab do exist, they lack the uniqueness and value found with naturally mined diamonds. A natural yellow diamond is a rarity, and purchasing a ring setting will make the ring stand out for the recipient.
Making the decision to purchase a yellow diamond
A yellow diamond ring will make for a perfect engagement ring or wedding band. In fact, King of Jewelry has every variety of ring setting that you can think of. If you are looking for an eternity band, we offer a six-carat yellow diamond eternity setting. We also have several different yellow diamond settings with colorless diamond side stones.