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What is a fancy diamond?

Coloured diamonds are known in the trade as "fancy diamonds." They come in a wide range of hues, tones, and saturations, and as a rule they are rarer than white diamonds. Some colours are far harder to find than others.

Choose a fancy yellow diamond with our diamond search, then choose the ring setting for the stone you have chosen.

Please contact us with any enquiries.

Chart of nine cushion cut diamonds shading from palest to strongest yellow with grade labels

Choosing a shade of yellow

When choosing a fancy yellow diamond, the intensity grade tells you how deep the colour appears.

  • Fancy Light: a soft yellow, with a hint of colour, and the most affordable of the four.
  • Fancy: a clear, even yellow.
  • Fancy Intense: a richer, brighter yellow that is widely sought-after.
  • Fancy Vivid: the rarest grade, with the strongest yellow colour.

A note on shapes: most yellow diamonds are cut as a cushion or radiant (as in the chart above), because these cuts hold the colour well.

Open bypass ring with a white metal band, a colourless pear stone flower and a yellow pear stone flower, on mint green

Fancy an engagement

Yellow diamonds tend to cost less than other fancy colours, partly because they are more readily found, which makes them a sensible choice for an engagement ring. If you are thinking of a yellow diamond, bear in mind that pricing these stones takes some care, and we are happy to talk it through.

Slim white metal ring with a small yellow cushion stone and stone set shoulders worn near a face

Fancy origin

Yellow diamonds are warm in tone, and now and then they carry a hint of brown or orange. The brightest, with a deep and even tint, are called canary yellow diamonds. They are sometimes also known as "Capes", a name that dates to the late 1800s, when the mines of the Cape Province in South Africa produced diamonds of this colour in number.

The colour comes from nitrogen present as the diamond formed. The nitrogen absorbs blue light, which leaves the stone looking yellow. The depth of that yellow can range from light to dark.

Shop fancy yellow diamond rings

Our Fancy Yellow Diamond collection gathers rings set with yellow diamonds. Often called "canary diamonds", they are a warm alternative to white diamonds.

Why choose a fancy yellow diamond?

  • Natural rarity: Only one in every 10,000 diamonds possesses the natural colour saturation to be classified as "Fancy", which is what makes these stones rare.

  • Warmth and character: Yellow diamonds run from pale lemon to deep, vivid gold, with a shade to suit any skin tone.

  • Brilliance: Cut is what governs light return, so stones are chosen to a stated cut grade before anything is made.

Fancy Yellow Diamond Three-Stone Ring

Price on enquiry

Fancy Yellow Diamond Toi et Moi Ring

Price on enquiry

Fancy Yellow Diamond Floral-Shoulder Ring

Price on enquiry

Fancy Yellow Diamond Vine Ring

Price on enquiry

Fancy Yellow Diamond Halo Ring

Price on enquiry

Fancy Yellow Diamond Serpentine Ring

Price on enquiry

Visit the studio

Book a private appointment at our Hatton Garden studio, or begin by phone or WhatsApp.

Book a consultationWhatsAppCall +44 20 7206 2705

We typically reply within four working hours.

Common questions

What is a fancy yellow diamond?

A fancy yellow diamond is a natural diamond whose body colour exceeds the Z grade on the standard D-Z white scale. Yellow colour comes from trace nitrogen atoms in the crystal lattice. GIA grades fancy yellow intensity on a scale from Faint through Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid and Fancy Deep, with Vivid and Deep commanding the highest prices for yellow diamonds.

Are yellow diamonds more expensive than white diamonds?

It depends on intensity and quality. Faint and Fancy Light yellow diamonds can actually be less expensive than top-grade colourless diamonds. Fancy Intense and Vivid yellows command substantial premiums: a 2ct Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond of good clarity can cost £40,000-£80,000, similar pricing to a D Flawless white of the same size.

What setting works best for a yellow diamond?

Yellow gold settings enhance the diamond's yellow colour by providing a warm reflective surround, making the stone appear more saturated. White metal settings (platinum or 18ct white gold) provide maximum contrast and make the yellow appear more vivid against a neutral background. For Fancy Intense and Vivid stones, we typically recommend white metal halo settings to showcase the colour.

Are all yellow diamonds natural?

Most natural yellow diamonds are untreated and simply formed with nitrogen in the crystal structure. However, some commercially available yellow diamonds are colour-treated (HPHT, irradiation) to enhance yellow tone. These treated stones are lower priced and should be disclosed on certification. All significant yellow diamonds should carry GIA or IGI certification confirming natural or treatment status.

How much do yellow diamond engagement rings cost?

Bespoke fancy yellow diamond engagement rings start from around £3,500 in 18ct yellow gold with a 0.75ct Fancy Light Yellow. A 1.00ct Fancy Vivid Yellow set in a platinum halo with diamond accents typically runs £15,000-£30,000. Larger statement pieces with 2ct+ Vivid Yellow centre stones range £40,000-£100,000+. Laboratory-grown alternatives offer significant savings.