Naturally occurring yellow diamonds are some of the most sought after gems for connoisseurs and collectors looking to fade into a brilliant, golden sunset. The vivid yellow canary diamonds have always set themselves apart in the world of luxury jewelry. This Ultimate Guide uncovers the beauty, price and complexity that comes with owning yellow diamonds, revealing why it is such a sought after jewel.
What Are Yellow Diamonds?
Their yellow color results from the presence of nitrogen atoms within their atomic structure, and they are a type of fancy color diamond. Remember that, while colorless diamonds are best when they have as few inclusions or imperfections as possible which can aid with more light reflection (like the Titanic), yellow diamond rings seek those beautiful golden hues! A more intense yellow can be anything from a light wash of color to nearly sunflower-level saturation.
Formation of Yellow Diamonds
Yellow diamonds are created at depths in the Earth mantle and take millions of years. It originates in the form of pure carbon which undergoes crystallization over millions upon millions years under high-pressure and heat. When nitrogen is incorporated into the carbon lattice, it absorbs some blue light and gives diamonds a yellow color. The higher the nitrogen, the darker yellow.
The Popularity of Yellow Diamonds in Jewellery
The yellow diamond has become very trendy in the universe of fine jewelry, and numerous famous people purchase for themselves those fantastic stones to enrich their engagement rings instead of initial pieces. The bright hues are reminiscent of exotic tropical fish; a remarkable distinction from the white diamonds we know.
Famous Yellow Diamonds
From their size, color and historical importance several yellow diamonds have already reached a legendary status. Among them are:
- The Tiffany Yellow Diamond: 128.54 carats, one of the largest yellow diamonds ever found It was discovered in the Kimberley mine of South Africa as early as 1877, ever since it has been taken widely across a symbol for richness.
- The Allnatt Diamond: A 101.29-carat Fancy Vivid yellow diamond which is one of the largest ever found, It was named after its owner Major Alfred Ernest Allnattaient and ten reasons why diamonds are best investors.
- Cora Sun-Drop Diamond: One of the largest known fancy vivid yellow diamonds in existence, this 110.3-carat pear-shaped stone was auctioned for over USD $10 million.
Yellow Diamond in Engagement Ring
Over the past couple of years, Yellow Diamond Engagement Rings have risen in popularity for people looking to get a unique and stunning ring. With its unique color, these diamonds play the part to perfectly signify happiness and optimism which is a beautiful choice for an eternal promise. Jennifer Lopez, and Carrie Underwood to name a few of its beautiful followers with diamond rings in yellow represent the increasing trend.
The Value of Yellow Diamonds
Yellow diamonds are largely priced according to the same general criteria, color and carat weight, cut, clarity. But, the most important factor is how strong of a yellow it really is. The pricing on Fancy Intense and Fancy Vivid stones can be many, many multiples of what a stone in those shapes with weaker hue grades would bring.
Investment Potential
There are yellow diamonds that just look pretty, and then there are those you will want to add to your investment portfolio. These diamonds, as a result of their scarcity and one-off nature are actually an extremely safe storehouse worth that will certainly frequently go up in value. Both collectors and investors know that the best yellow diamonds are likely to rise in value over time.
Factors Influencing Value
- Color Intensity: Darker yellow, high value. Fancy Vivid diamonds cost the most.
- Carat Weight: Although big yellow diamonds are rare to come by, it becomes more valuable when combined with high color intensity.
- Cut: The cut of a brilliant yellow diamond can make or break its color. The color of the yellow diamond must be evenly distributed and cut ideally.
- Clarity: Though this parameter is less important than in white diamonds, a good clarity grade can still help to improve its price.
Purchasing Yellow Diamonds
If you have chosen a yellow diamond make sure to buy from reputable jewelers who sell certified stones by recognized gemological labs like the GIA. This certificate will provide a comprehensive overview of the diamond, including its color, carat weight, clarity and cut to confirm that you are really receiving what is promised on paper.
Ethical Considerations
As is the case with any diamond, it’s important to think about the social and environmental impact of your expenditure. As always we recommended looking for Conflict-Free Diamonds or diamonds certified through the Kimberley Process as these give you peace of mind that your diamond has been sourced responsibly.
Conclusion
Few diamonds combine the beauty, rarity and value of yellow diamonds. Whether you have your heart set on a yellow diamond engagement ring; or are interested solely by the potential of this kind of stone as an investment, knowing more about these extraordinary gems will enable you to make better and smarter choices.
