What are Yellow Diamonds?

Yellow diamonds are a variety of colored diamonds. Many people are unaware that the precious stone, a woman’s best friend, actually comes in many different colors and are not just colorless. Yellow diamonds are just one of the many types of colored diamonds. Interestingly enough, diamonds found at the very bottom of the colorless color grading scale contain traces of yellow, and are the “bottom” diamonds in the yellow diamond category due to their faint color, as opposed to the more desirable intense yellow stones. The colorless grading scale goes from D-Z, and the yellow diamond color grading scale begins with the Y-Z range. It then goes all the way to the Fancy Deep/Dark Yellow grade.

Are yellow diamonds real?

Like other natural fancy colored diamonds, the colors are a result of the compound element within the structure of the stone. The stones with a stronger yellow hue are often the result of more Nitrogen in the mix. They are 100% real, and absolutely beautiful!

How are Yellow Diamonds Made?

Like any other natural diamond, these stones are formed over millions and millions of years. What causes the yellow coloring is the addition of Nitrogen within the compound element in the stone. The diamonds were formed in extremely high temperatures and immense pressure far below the surface of the earth. Once extracted, a diamond polisher who fully understand how to assess, cut, and polish the stone, will transform it from the rough it was into the unbelievable beauty we see in the jewelry stores.

What are Yellow Diamonds Called?

Color diamonds are named according to an internationally recognized naming pattern, which was developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). First, the carat size is stated, then the intensity of the stone, followed by any secondary hue (also called overtone colors) and finally the dominant color of the stone is mentioned last. For example, a 1.13 carat, Fancy Vivid Orange Yellow Diamond is a Yellow diamond (meaning the yellow hue is the dominant color present in the stone) with a hue of orange color. The stone weighs 1.13 carats and the intensity grade is called a Fancy Vivid (which is the most valuable intensity grade for a natural fancy color diamond). There are actually a number of 'nicknames' that yellow diamonds have developed over time. Many refer to yellow diamonds as Canary, as in a Canary Yellow Diamond, and some use the name Zimmy. A Canary yellow diamond actually refers to only a yellow stone with a very rich, high intensity (fancy intense yellow or fancy vivid yellow). The term Zimmy on the other hand, which is also thrown around quite often when talking about a vivid yellow with a deeper hue, actually refers to extraordinary vivid yellow diamonds which originated from the Zimmy mine, which is located in Sierra Leone. The color of these Zimmy stones makes other yellows look rather weak in comparison.

Where do Yellow Diamonds Come From?

All natural diamonds were originally formed way below the earth’s surface, and are eventually brought to an accessible depth through volcanic eruptions. Now, the compound elements which essentially cause the color can happen anywhere, but are more common where the earth’s material in that location has more of any specific elements. Just as an example, the Ellendale mine in Western Australia was known for their mass production of yellow diamonds because many yellow diamonds were found in that location. That mine specifically has hit some hard times, but there are other mines around the world that produce these stones, such as in South Africa, Russia, India, and Canada.

Where are yellow diamonds mined?

Yellow diamonds, among all others in the world of color, are found less than one thousandth of the time compared to a white stone. Meaning, only 0.0001% of mined diamonds are fancy colors. Yellow diamonds happen to be among the more commonly found color in this bunch. There are different mines throughout the world where yellows have been found, but the countries known best for producing these goods are Australia, Central Africa, Angola, Borneo, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone.

Are Yellow Diamonds More Expensive than Colorless Diamonds / White Diamonds?

Though colored diamonds can be rather expensive as a result of their rarity, yellow diamonds can be quite affordable and sometimes cost less than a colorless diamond of the same quality. As explained above, the “bottom” yellow diamonds are also the “bottom” colorless diamonds, so a diamond with a lighter yellow coloring such as Fancy Yellow will be less expensive than a colorless diamond of the same quality. Having said that, a Fancy Intense Yellow diamond or a Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond will cost more than a colorless diamond.

Are Yellow Diamonds Cheaper Than Other Diamonds?

One of the greatest benefits of natural yellow diamonds, other than the fact that they are so unique, different, and beautiful, is that they have a lower price per carat than most of the other colors that are found! The diamond characteristics that have the greatest effect on the price of the stone are the actual color and the intensity in which it shines. A yellow diamond with a fancy light yellow color or even a fancy yellow color is cheaper per carat than most other color with a similar intensity grade. If the stone has a high intensity grade, it will surpass the price per carat of a white diamond, but it will still definitely be less expensive than a similar blue, green, pink or red diamond.

Why are Yellow Diamonds so Expensive?

Those who understand the diamond trade often find it quite confusing that yellow diamonds can have a lower price per carat than other stones, including even a colorless diamond! The reason is simply because of supply and demand. However, once it is a higher intensity grade, the price per carat will surpass a similar colorless stone, but still be less than almost all the other stones in the world of color.

Are Yellow Diamonds Rare?

Colored diamonds are considered the rarest gemstones on earth. However, of the colored diamond family, Yellow and Brown diamonds are considered the most common. They are far rarer than colorless stones, which makes them quite unique. A high-quality stone such as a diamond with VS+ and VG/VG polish/symmetry proportion grades that is over 2 carats is harder to come by and will, therefore, be more expensive. Certain Yellow diamonds make great investments, as their prices have increased drastically over the years. Additionally, it is easier to liquidize yellow diamonds because of their soaring popularity. The demand for them is high, higher than the supply, and supply and demand is everything in this market.