What Is Fancy Diamond Color?

The allure of fancy colored diamonds lies in their exceptional rarity and captivating beauty. Each one boasts a unique hue, making them truly one-of-a-kind. From the illustrious red diamonds, which stand as the rarest of all, to the mesmerizing blue, pink, yellow, orange, and enigmatic black diamonds, the spectrum of colors is simply breathtaking.

While naturally occurring fancy colored diamonds are renowned for their scarcity, lab-grown alternatives offer a more accessible option, albeit with lesser value. Despite this, they still exude a remarkable charm and elegance.

When it comes to grading fancy colored diamonds, the criteria remain rooted in the renowned 4 Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. However, unlike white diamonds, fancy colored diamonds are not evaluated using the conventional D-Z color grading scale. Instead, they are categorized as Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, or Fancy Vivid, based on the intensity and saturation of their color.

It's important to note that the vividness of a fancy colored diamond's hue greatly influences its value, with more saturated colors commanding higher prices. So whether you're drawn to the subtle elegance of a Fancy Light diamond or the intense vibrancy of a Fancy Vivid, each fancy colored diamond holds its own enchanting appeal, ready to adorn and delight those who appreciate their rare and radiant charm.

Fancy Color Diamond Ring

Explore our stunning collection of fancy color diamond rings, each crafted with exquisite lab-grown diamonds in a spectrum of hues.

Yellow Diamond

Fancy Yellow Color Diamonds, also known as canary diamonds, offer a captivating alternative to traditional white diamonds. Unlike white diamonds, which range from D to Z on the color scale, yellow diamonds boast a broader spectrum of hues, with Z representing a light yellow tone.

These exquisite gems showcase varying degrees of color intensity, ranging from Faint to Light Yellow. The intensity of the yellow hue greatly influences the diamond's value, with deeper, more saturated tones commanding higher prices. When evaluating fancy yellow diamonds, factors such as hue purity, tone, and saturation are meticulously assessed. The cut of the diamond plays a crucial role in enhancing its natural color, with radiant cuts being particularly popular for yellow diamonds.

The yellow coloration in diamonds is attributed to the presence of nitrogen, which also gives rise to secondary tones like green, brown, and orange. Combining these tones creates captivating and unique natural diamonds.

To accentuate the vibrancy of yellow diamonds, they are often set in yellow gold settings, intensifying their radiant hue. Despite being more common among fancy colored diamonds, fancy yellow diamonds remain prized for their rarity and enchanting beauty.

Green Diamond

Fancy Green Color Diamonds are exceptionally rare, ranking as the second rarest diamond color globally, surpassed only by red diamonds. These exquisite gems exhibit a mesmerizing blend of blue and yellow light, resulting in hues ranging from blue-green to yellow-green. Each green diamond possesses its own distinct shade, adding to its allure and value.

The captivating green hue of these diamonds is formed through the infusion of beta and gamma rays during the diamond's crystallization process, spanning numerous years. These rays primarily impact the diamond's outer layers, leading to a surface emission of the green color. However, this color tends to diminish over time, contributing further to the scarcity of fancy green diamonds.

The intensity of the natural color plays a pivotal role in determining the value of green diamonds, especially considering their tendency to fade. Grading of fancy green diamonds considers factors such as hue intensity, tone, and saturation, with evaluations conducted from the diamond's top view.

The cut of a green diamond significantly influences its value, as it aims to accentuate the gem's natural coloration. Diamonds with higher saturation levels command greater worth, with some naturally saturated green diamonds fetching millions of dollars per carat. Each fancy green diamond represents a rare and extraordinary marvel of nature, captivating enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.

Pink Diamond

Fancy pink diamonds are among the rarest and most coveted gemstones, renowned for their exquisite beauty and scarcity. Unlike white diamonds, which follow a color scale from D to Z, pink diamonds are graded differently, ranging from very light pink to intense and vivid pink, with vivid pink being exceptionally rare.

Each natural pink diamond possesses a unique hue, adding to its allure and value. The origin of their pink color remains somewhat mysterious, with scientists speculating that extreme temperatures during formation may induce atomic-level lattice defects, selectively absorbing light and resulting in the pink hue.

Color is paramount in evaluating pink diamonds, with intensity playing a significant role in determining their worth. While clarity is crucial for white diamonds, it takes a back seat to color for pink diamonds. The cut of a pink diamond is also vital, designed to enhance its natural hue and maximize saturation.

The Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia has been the primary source of natural pink diamonds, producing over 90% of the world's supply. However, with the mine's closure in 2020 due to operational challenges, the rarity of pink diamonds is expected to increase further.

Blue Diamond

Naturally occurring blue diamonds are exceptionally rare and hold immense value in the world of gemstones. Unlike white diamonds, which follow a color scale from D to Z, blue diamonds exhibit a wide range of hues, from very light to intense and vivid shades, often accompanied by secondary tones of green or gray.

Each organic blue diamond boasts a unique color profile, owing to its scarcity and the distinct blue tone it displays. The captivating blue hue of these diamonds is attributed to the presence of various elements such as boron, hydrogen, and nitrogen. Boron, when trapped within the diamond's structure, imparts the coveted blue tint, resulting in its exquisite coloration.

The intensity of natural color plays a significant role in determining the value of blue diamonds, although it is not the sole factor. Graded from the top view, blue diamonds are evaluated based on the concentration of their hue, tone, and saturation, deviating from the assessment method used for white diamonds.

The cut of a blue diamond is paramount in enhancing its inherent color and maximizing its natural brilliance. As color serves as the defining characteristic, these diamonds are meticulously cut to accentuate the richness of their hue. Blue diamonds with higher saturation levels are particularly prized, often fetching millions of dollars per carat due to their rarity and exceptional beauty.

Black Diamond

Black diamonds exude a captivating allure with their dark and dramatic appearance, making them a distinctive choice for jewelry pieces like engagement rings, wedding bands, and earrings. Unlike traditional white diamonds, black diamonds offer a unique aesthetic characterized by their deep, opaque hue and high luster.

Renowned for their affordability compared to other fancy colored diamonds like pink or blue diamonds, black diamonds possess a mysterious elegance that sets them apart. While they lack the sparkle of transparent diamonds, their intense black color exudes a sophisticated charm that appeals to many. Black diamonds can occur naturally or be treated to enhance their color. Treated black diamonds undergo processes such as heating or irradiation to achieve their deep hue, making them more accessible for jewelry use. However, at Heerok, we prioritize the use of natural black diamonds in our jewelry pieces to ensure authenticity and quality.

Formed through the same geological processes as colorless diamonds, black diamonds derive their distinctive color from mineral inclusions such as graphite or hematite. These inclusions contribute to their unique appearance but also make them more susceptible to fractures. Therefore, careful cutting, polishing, and setting are essential to preserve the integrity of the diamond.

Due to their composition, black diamonds require special care to maintain their beauty. Avoiding ultrasonic cleaners and opting for gentle cleaning methods will help prevent damage to the diamond and ensure its longevity. At Heerok, we celebrate the individuality and elegance of black diamonds, offering meticulously crafted jewelry pieces that showcase their timeless allure.

Orannge Diamond

Natural orange diamonds are exceptionally rare and prized for their captivating beauty. True fancy orange diamonds exhibit minimal to no brown undertones, showcasing vibrant hues of orange with hints of yellow and pink secondary tones. Each orange diamond possesses a unique and alluring character, making it a coveted gemstone among collectors and enthusiasts.

The Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia, renowned for its production of fancy pink diamonds, is also a significant source of fancy orange diamonds. Scientists attribute the pink undertones in orange diamonds to atomic-level lattice alterations within their structures, which selectively absorb light. Additionally, the presence of naturally occurring nitrogen contributes to the yellow tones observed in these exquisite gems.

Fancy orange diamonds are classified into various intensity grades, including fancy orange, fancy intense orange, fancy vivid orange, fancy deep orange, and fancy dark orange. The intensity of the diamond's color, along with its unique tone, determines its classification and value. Due to their rarity, each fancy orange diamond is evaluated based on its individual characteristics, emphasizing the importance of viewing the diamond's imagery to appreciate its true beauty.

When it comes to setting fancy orange diamonds, both white metals like platinum and yellow gold complement their vibrant hues. Yellow gold enhances the presence of yellow tones, while platinum offers a striking contrast for a sophisticated look. Ultimately, the choice of metal setting depends on personal preference and desired aesthetic, highlighting the versatility and allure of fancy orange diamonds.

Fancy Color Diamond FAQs

Are fancy colored diamonds more expensive?

Fancy colored diamonds can be more expensive than colorless diamonds due to their rarity and unique hues. The price is significantly influenced by the color intensity, with more vivid and saturated colors fetching higher prices. While common colored diamonds like yellows and browns are relatively more affordable, rare colors like blues, pinks, and greens can command extremely high prices.

The most expensive color diamond is typically the red diamond. Red diamonds are incredibly rare and highly sought after by collectors. Other extremely valuable colors include blue and pink diamonds, which can also fetch millions of dollars per carat, especially when they exhibit deep, vivid hues.

The rarest diamond color is red. Red diamonds are extremely rare, and only a few true red diamonds are known to exist. These diamonds often have a purplish or brownish hue and are highly prized by collectors due to their scarcity.

The price of a fancy diamond per carat can vary widely depending on the color, intensity, and other factors such as clarity and cut. On average, fancy yellow diamonds might range from $5,000 to $20,000 per carat, while more rare colors like blue or pink can range from $50,000 to over $1 million per carat.

The scale for fancy colored diamonds includes several grades that measure the intensity of the color. The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) classifies fancy colored diamonds into categories such as Faint, Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep, and Fancy Dark.

Yes, Fancy Yellow Diamonds are considered good and are quite popular. They offer a vibrant and warm color that is often associated with wealth and luxury. Their relatively lower price compared to rarer colors like blue or red makes them an attractive option for those looking for a colored diamond.

The 12 colors of fancy color diamonds include yellow, blue, green, pink, red, orange, brown, purple, gray, white, black, and violet. Each color can vary in intensity and shade, adding to the diamond's unique appeal.

The five major colors of colored diamonds are yellow, blue, green, pink, and red. These colors are among the most sought after and can vary greatly in terms of rarity and price, with red and blue diamonds being particularly rare and valuable.

The fancy colors recognized by the GIA include yellow, blue, green, pink, red, orange, brown, purple, gray, white, black, and violet. The GIA grades these colors based on their hue, tone, and saturation, which determines their overall quality and value.

GIA diamonds are often more expensive because the GIA is known for its stringent grading standards and comprehensive certification process. A GIA certificate ensures that a diamond's quality and characteristics are accurately described, giving buyers confidence in their purchase. This reputation for reliability and accuracy can drive up the price of GIA-certified diamonds.