Picking the right yellow diamond engagement ring takes a lot of knowledge. Understanding diamond color is essential before you go shopping. Most colorless or near-colorless gem-quality diamonds are graded based on the absence of color, using GIA’s D-to-Z diamond color-grading system. Fancy yellow diamonds are graded as “fancy” when they have more color than the Z masterstone. Diamonds in the D-to-Z range usually decrease in value as the color becomes more obvious. The opposite happens with fancy-color diamonds. Their value generally increases with the strength and purity of the color.
Fancy Yellow Diamonds – Color Grades
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) assigns one of six possible color grades to yellow diamonds. Just like the D-to-Z color scale, these six grades are widely used and have helped to standardize color grading for rare fancy diamonds. The six possible grades are: Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Dark, Fancy Deep, and Fancy Vivid. The majority of yellow diamonds in the jewelry industry are graded fancy light, fancy, fancy intense, and fancy vivid.
The names of these categories are derived from the three main color modifiers, which are hue, tone, and saturation. The complete fancy color scale includes 3 more categories (faint, very light, and light) that aren’t included for yellow diamonds.
In general, the more color a colored diamond has, the better. Fancy Deep and Fancy Vivid diamonds have more color, and will usually be valued equivalent to a “D” grade on the D-to-Z scale. There are some exceptions however, as the tone of a diamond can lower its value. Tone measures the lightness or darkness of a color. A diamond that is extremely dark may be less desirable than a lighter graded stone.
Many yellows diamonds will have a hue modifier, which may slightly distort the color to be a yellow-orange or yellow-green mix. This doesn’t necessarily mean the diamond is any less pure.
Note that the specific mounting can make a yellow diamond look darker than it actually is. The appearance of the diamond is most important when mounted, so knowing how it will appear in your ring is critical. Similarly, the specific metal can change how the diamond appears. Because diamonds are highly reflective, the metal color will affect the appearance. Stick to one of three choices for the metal of your diamond engagement ring: White metal (such as platinum or white gold), rose gold, or yellow gold.
Finally, remember that a yellow diamond engagement ring is special because yellow diamonds are rare. Understand that yellow diamonds are unique and valuable, and purchase a diamond with a reliable grading report.
For help finding fancy color engagement rings, contact Rob Bockstruck today. With extensive experience and great customer service, RH Bockstruck is the perfect diamond concierge service to help your diamond search go as smoothly as possible.