Fancy Color Diamonds

What Are Fancy Colored Diamonds?

Fancy colored diamonds are diamonds that are discovered with rich coloration, due to chemical impurities, crystal lattice defects, or natural radiation during formation. As a result, they glimmer with evocative colors. They are exceptionally rare, especially in red, green, and purple (making up just 0.01% of all mined diamonds and in tiny quantities, usually no bigger than one carat).

Due to their coloration, fancy color diamonds are natural diamonds that go beyond the traditional D-to-Z color scale (which measures the faint yellow tint in white diamonds). Once a diamond shows more color than a Z-grade, it enters the “fancy” category, where color is not just tolerated, but celebrated.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades fancy color diamonds based on hue, tone, and saturation, using a scale that includes: Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep, and Fancy Dark. The most vivid and saturated stones are the most valuable.

Rare and Exotic Diamond Colors

While being utterly beautiful, it's the rarity of fancy colored diamonds that also makes them so treasured. Technically speaking, due to the potential for different hues, there are around 230 color combinations. But, wisely, the diamond industry separates these into clear categories:

Red Diamonds

Red is the rarest color of diamond. So rare in fact that between 1957 and 1987, the GIA didn’t issue a single lab report. Colored by crystal lattice distortion, any find of a red diamond is likely to be less than 0.5 carats and will be extremely sought after. 

Blue Diamonds

Gorgeous blue diamonds are often associated with royalty and mystery, and are amongst the rarest of all fancy colored diamonds. Colored by boron trapped in the crystal during formation, blue diamonds are realistically attainable and are arguably the most evocative of all.  

Green Diamonds

For every 10,000 fancy colored diamonds, it’s estimated that fewer than 10 are green. These incredible pieces of nature vary from rich, fancy, vivid green diamonds to subtle fancy lights.

Green diamonds are formed via exposure to radiation over millions of years, giving them a unique backstory. Though radiation-induced coloring can be performed in a lab, GIA certification is critical to prove natural origin. 

Pink Diamonds

Pink diamonds are one of the most iconic and sought-after of all rare color diamonds, with that unique romantic hue a stunning attraction. Unlike most colored diamonds, the pink color is a result of structural distortion and intense pressure during formation. They are investment-grade collectibles, especially after the closure of Australia’s Argyle mine in 2020.

Orange Diamonds

Taking color from nitrogen exposure, orange diamonds are a fine alternative to red diamonds, but are still extremely rare. Their rarity comes from the absence of brown, yellow, and pink hues.

Purple Diamonds

Considered as one of the hardest to find in nature, purple diamonds are the result of the presence of plastic deformation during formation. Their evocative, luxurious tones are a perfect choice for any collector looking for a sense of mystery and pair very well with white or yellow gold pieces. 

Yellow & Champagne Diamonds

With a sunny warmth, yellow or champagne diamonds are the most versatile of fancy colored diamonds, fitting any outfit for daily use. The yellow hues are caused by nitrogen atoms replacing carbon in the diamond’s crystal lattice. 

Champagne, on the other hand, takes a step closer to brown, with a golden glow known for symbolizing happiness and prosperity. 

Why Choose a Fancy Color Diamond?

Given the extreme rarity of fancy coloured diamonds, any owner will have the immense privilege to show off the true beauty of nature. While a white diamond is already incredible, colored stones are truly one-of-a-kind, making them perfect gifts as engagement rings, statement gifts, or as a collector’s investment. 

Today, red, pink, and blue hues are also rising in value following the closure of various mines. Should you consider a colored diamond, we recommend a solitaire or halo ring setting to maximize the color impact. 

The fancy colored diamonds we sell are guaranteed to have exceptional light performance, having been curated, cut, and set with Brian Gavin’s Signature craftsmanship. 

FAQs: Fancy Color Diamonds

What is a fancy color diamond?

Fancy color diamonds display a color (to the naked eye) that is outside of the white-to-yellow grading range used on ‘colorless’ diamonds. Rather than being critiqued for their lack of perfect white, they are instead embraced for the intensity of their coloration. There are hundreds of hues, but they can be categorised as blue, pink, yellow, orange, red, purple, and brown (or champagne). 

Are fancy colored diamonds more expensive?

Yes, fancy colored diamonds are typically more expensive than white diamonds. This is because they make up a mere 0.1% of all mined diamonds and are considered ultimate luxury purchases. 

What is the best quality diamond color?

Outside of colorless ‘white’ diamonds, the actual color comes down to preference (although red ones are the rarest). But, there is a grading system for fancy colored diamonds ranging from Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep/Fancy Dark.

Fancy vivid is widely considered the best quality of colored diamonds. 

How rare are fancy color diamonds?

The GIA states that only one out of 10,000 carats of fashioned diamonds are fancy colored. The chances of an intense color are a mere one in 25,000.

What is the color scale for fancy color diamonds?

The fancy color diamond scale is Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep/Fancy Dark.

What is the difference between fancy vivid yellow and fancy yellow?

The main difference is color intensity, with fancy yellow diamonds having a rich yellow hue and fancy vivid diamonds having a deeper, more saturated yellow. 

Find Your Dream Fancy Colored Diamond Today

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If you’re looking for a fancy colored diamond, we welcome you to browse our collections and speak to our specialists should you have any questions or wish to customize your setting.