Fancy Yellow Diamond Guide
What you need to know when buying a canary yellow diamond
Fancy yellow diamonds, often referred to as “canary diamonds,” are diamonds with an intense yellow hue, distinct from the pale yellow shades commonly found in less valuable diamonds. The rich color in fancy yellow diamonds comes from the presence of nitrogen molecules that absorb blue light, thus producing a yellow shade. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or other reputable gemological labs usually grade the diamond’s color intensity, which can range from Fancy Light to Fancy Vivid.
As for the budget, the cost of a fancy yellow diamond can span a wide range, starting from a few thousand dollars and going up to hundreds of thousands or even millions, depending on the color intensity, size, and quality. Adding a fancy color element to your ring means there is more to look out for when purchasing your diamond. So we’ll cover everything you need to know before buying a canary yellow diamond.
We’ll get into it in depth later on, but our readers have had fantastic experiences buying fancy yellow diamonds from Leibish & Co. For those of you with a budget over $20,000, we recommend reaching out to Abe Mor. Abe Mor has an incredible selection of higher end diamond jewelry (both fancy color and white diamonds).
Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:
What are fancy yellow diamonds?
Origin of yellow diamonds
What are canary diamonds?
Yellow diamond grading – the intensity levels
How much do yellow diamonds cost?
Where is the best place to buy a fancy yellow diamond ring?
How to choose the best setting for your yellow diamond?
The best engagement ring settings for yellow diamonds
Popular jewelry settings for yellow diamonds
Lab-created yellow diamonds
Fancy yellow diamond FAQs
Why you should trust us
To help you with the diamond buying process we lean on our expertise and experience. The author of this article, our CEO, Mike Fried has over 20 years of experience in the diamond industry. Mike started from the bottom, sorting and evaluating hundreds of thousands of diamonds to learn every facet (pun intended) of diamond quality and value. Mike followed that up by spending years buying and selling diamonds on the wholesale market as well as selling tens of millions of dollars worth of diamonds to diamond retailers.
What are Fancy Yellow Diamonds?
Yellow diamonds are one of many kinds of fancy colored diamonds that exist, produced both naturally and man-made. While diamonds are most often clear and colorless, fancy colors, such as yellow diamonds, provide an interesting and alluring alternative. They get their beautiful yellow color thanks to a small part of nitrogen that’s contained in their structure.
Regular “colorless” diamonds can have a yellowish hue, which is generally considered a negative quality; diamonds that are completely clear and colorless command a higher price. However, once the color reaches a level where yellow is the dominant color, its value begins to rise again as a fancy colored Diamond.
Fancy yellow diamonds can have shades of other colors present as well, such as orange or brown. The most desirable and valuable yellow diamonds, however, are those with a pure, intense yellow color. These pure yellow diamonds are often referred to as canary diamonds or canary yellow diamonds.
Canary diamonds, named because their shade resembles that of a canary bird, are the most desirable of all yellow diamonds, and thus command the highest price.
Origin of Yellow Diamonds
Yellow diamonds’ unique color comes from the presence of nitrogen in their composition. The nitrogen molecules absorb blue light, making the stone a yellow shade. Depending on the amount of nitrogen, a yellow diamond could range from light to dark.
Different chemicals present during the diamond’s formation result in additional colors present, such as the common brown or orange tint found with yellow diamonds. Due to the natural process necessary for a diamond to have a deep, intense yellow color, these diamonds – known as canary diamonds – are very rare.
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What are Canary Diamonds
Canary yellow diamonds are the most sought-after and valuable type of yellow diamonds. Like the canary bird, these diamonds exhibit a deep, intense yellow hue, as opposed to a dull or light yellow tinge that can be considered a negative in diamonds.
Officially, canary diamonds are simply fancy yellow diamonds, graded anywhere from fancy intense to fancy vivid on the GIA color scale. Canary yellow is a casual term used for yellow diamonds with a pure yellow color, not an official term.
Canary yellow diamonds are rare and beautiful, and thus come with a higher price and resell value than most other yellow diamonds.
Here are some examples of canary diamonds, and the price they command:
- 1.01 carat round cut SI1 clarity from James Allen – $25,820
- 0.53 carat radiant shape VS2 clarity from Leibish & Co. – $3,925
- 1.02 carat asscher shape VS1 clarity from Leibish & Co. – $16,925
As you can see, canary yellow diamonds carry an extremely high value. You may also see diamonds of similar quality referred to as Zimmi or Zimmy Diamonds. This name comes from an area in Sierra Leone known for producing diamonds with a beautiful, intense yellow color. Zimmi Diamonds can be even more expensive and sought-after than canary diamonds, as you can see from the price point of this 0.76 carat SI1 clarity heart shape Zimmi Diamond from Leibish & Co.
Yellow Diamond Grading – The Intensity Levels
White diamonds are graded on a color scale of D to Z, with D being a colorless diamond and Z having a distinct yellow or brown tint. If the scale were to continue past Z—all the way to a rich, yellow color—you’d have a fancy vivid yellow diamond. In other words, yellow diamonds are fully saturated with yellow and carry no traces of whiteness whatsoever.
The GIA color grading scale for yellow diamonds is:
- Faint
- Very Light
- Light
- Fancy Light
- Fancy
- Fancy Intense
- Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep or Fancy Dark
Assessing the color of yellow diamonds—or any fancy color diamonds—is a difficult task. Most importantly, each fancy color grade isn’t simply a point along a line. Each grade is a range in itself. For example, it’s possible to find a fancy yellow that just barely made it over the border from fancy light territory. It’s also possible to find a fancy yellow that just missed the cutoff into the Fancy Intense grade.
That’s why we recommend using a vendor like Leibish & Co. because they provide the highest quality of images—making it easier to determine which diamond is more beautiful and more valuable.
When you get to the higher end yellow diamonds, intesity is paramount. At an auction of the famous Cullivan collection in 2017, Jean Ghika, Bonhams’ director of jewelry for the UK and Europe said “The fancy vivid yellow diamonds in this collection are exceptionally well-matched in color and boast an enviable provenance”. This helped garner extraordinary sums at auction.
Yellow Diamond Prices
Fancy yellow diamonds can cost anywhere from around $2,500 per carat to $20,000 or more per carat, depending on a number of factors. For a decent-quality yellow diamond, you can expect the price to be at least $3,000 – $3,500 per carat.
Factors that influence the price of yellow diamonds include:
- Yellow color grade: “faint” or “very light” yellow diamonds are much cheaper, while fancy intense and fancy vivid diamonds are much more expensive. There was a 205ct fancy intense yellow cushion cut diamond at the spring 2022 auction sold for $70,000 per carat.
- Supporting colors: the highest-priced yellow diamonds are those with a pure yellow color (like canary diamonds) or diamonds with an orange or green overtone. On the other end, brownish yellow diamonds are often (though not always) cheaper.
- Cut & clarity: like colorless diamonds, the 4 C’s play heavily into the price of yellow diamonds.
- Carat: yellow diamonds at high carat weights are much more rare than smaller diamonds, and thus command a higher relative price.
Generally speaking, fancy yellow diamonds are relatively common. Due to their commonality—relative to other fancy colors—yellow diamonds can be fairly affordable.
Taking into account good but not spectacular grades, a 1 carat yellow diamond will likely cost between $2,000 – $5,000. Take this example from Leibish & Co.: a 1.03 carat radiant shape diamond with VVS1 clarity and fancy color, for $4.725. This diamond has a very good clarity grade, but lower but very nice color with no brown overtones.
On the lower end is this fancy yellow radiant diamond from Leibish & Co., at $3,675. Again the color is pure yellow, though only a fancy light grade. The clarity of this stone is several grades lower than the first example, at VS2, resulting in a lower price.
At their strongest color intensity, fancy vivid yellow diamonds can become rather expensive. A 1 carat fancy vivid yellow diamond will cost in the range of $8,000 to $20,000+. This 1.03 carat, SI1 clarity cushion shape diamond from Leibish & Co. comes in at the lower end for fancy vivid yellow diamonds, at $8,950. While on the higher end we have this 1.01 carat canary yellow diamond with SI1 clarity from Leibish & Co., at $21,725.
A fancy vivid yellow diamond with a decent color and eye-clean clarity will cost approximately the same as a D color flawless white diamond of the same shape. At this point, it depends on which you and the wearer find more appealing: a unique, richly colored diamond or a white, colorless diamond.
This chart will give you an idea of the price range at each color grade for fancy yellow diamonds (updated for 2024):
| Color Intensity | 0.50ct | 1.00ct | 2.00ct |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fancy Vivid | $3,500 – $8,000 | $8,000 – $20,000 | $35,000 – $60,000 |
| Fancy Intense | $1,500 – $4,000 | $4,000 – $8,000 | $16,500 – $25,000 |
| Fancy | $1,000 – $2,000 | $3,000 – $6,000 | $8,000 – $16,000 |
| Fancy Light | $800 – $1,300 | $2,000 – $5,000 | $7,000 – $11,000 |
Evaluating the price of a yellow diamond is detailed, as even the smallest tint can heavily influence price, positively or negatively. For this reason, we recommend consulting an expert before moving ahead with a yellow diamond purchase.
Where is the Best Place to Buy a Fancy Yellow Diamond Ring?
Abe Mor – If you are in the market for a diamond (white or fancy color) with a budget over $20,000, Abe Mor is your best bet. They have blown our readers away with their ability to find the perfect diamond for your and their exquisite custom jewelry pieces.
Leibish & Co – One of the industry leaders in fancy color diamonds, Leibish has a phenomenal selection and the ability to create a stunning ring (or other piece of jewelry) with your fancy yellow diamond.
Blue Nile – The original online engagement ring retailer also has a fantastic selection of fancy yellow diamonds.
Jame Allen – One of the best retailers out there, James Allen has an amazing selection of fancy yellow natural diamonds. For those of you on a tighter budget, James Allen also has incredible canary yellow lab grown diamonds.
How to Choose the Best Setting for Your Yellow Diamond
When you purchase a ring with a yellow diamond, pay close attention to the color of metal used in the ring’s setting. With yellow diamonds, you have unique opportunities for either contrast or complementarity when it comes to color.
Engagement ring settings come in various types of metal, including platinum, white gold, yellow gold and rose gold. These metals have different colors which will influence how the diamond appears when it is set in the ring.
A lighter-colored metal, such as platinum or white gold, can create a stunning contrast with a vivid Canary yellow diamond.
Likewise, combining a yellow center diamond with colorless side stones, or in a halo setting, can accentuate the main diamond and make it stand out.
Alternatively, a darker setting like yellow or rose gold, can make a yellow diamond appear deeper and more intense than its color grade. This can allow you to save by purchasing a faint or light-colored diamond, which will have a darker appearance when reflecting the color of its setting.
Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring Settings
Consider the points mentioned above when choosing your setting. Most often, a yellow gold setting will make the diamond’s color appear deeper, while a white gold setting may make it appear lighter. In order to save on your budget, you may wish to look for a yellow diamond of one intensity grade lower and have it set in yellow gold to maximize the color.
Style 1: Halo setting
A halo setting can boost the size appearance of your yellow diamond engagement ring, especially if there are two layers of surrounding stones.
Halo setting example: Fancy intense yellow cushion diamond double halo ring from Leibish & Co.
Style 2: Pavé setting
Embedded side stones in a pavé setting give the ring additional sparkle. Your side stones can match the color of your center stone or be white diamonds.
Pavé setting example: Fancy intense yellow cushion pavé side stones ring from Leibish & Co.
Style 3: Side stones setting
To accent and highlight your yellow diamond, consider a side stone setting. Your side stones can be round brilliants, triangle-shaped or any design that matches your style.
Side stones setting example: Platinum fancy yellow radiant & triangle diamond ring from Leibish & Co.
Popular Jewelry Settings for Yellow Diamonds
Design jewelry for a gift that will be treasured for years to come. Yellow diamonds make for stunning jewelry—whether that’s a bracelet, necklace or set of earrings.
Yellow diamond necklace inspiration: Fancy yellow cushion diamond and pavé pendant from Leibish & Co.
Yellow diamond earrings inspiration: Fancy yellow cushion stud diamond earrings from Leibish & Co.
Yellow diamond bracelet inspiration: Fancy vivid yellow and white diamond tennis bracelet from Leibish & Co.
Want to ensure you’re getting the best value and beauty for your budget? Contact our diamond experts today.
Lab-Created Yellow Diamonds
Yellow diamonds do not always need to be formed naturally. Scientists have perfected the processes to be able to create diamonds in a laboratory, which carry the same physical properties and beauty as naturally created diamonds.
Lab-created fancy yellow diamonds offer an interesting alternative for those who are on a tight budget. Lab-grown diamonds are significantly cheaper than natural diamonds, as they are easier to come by. Yet they are physically no different from natural diamonds and thus have the same visual beauty.
The downside is lab diamonds are not as rare as natural diamonds and thus carry very little resale value. However, if you simply want a beautiful diamond for the lowest price, you can consider going with a man-made diamond.
FAQs About Fancy Yellow Diamonds
Are canary or yellow diamonds real?
Yellow diamonds are 100% real. They are created by the same processes as colorless diamonds, and are only different in that additional chemicals (most notably, nitrogen) are present during their creation.
Aren’t yellow-colored diamonds a bad thing?
When grading colorless diamonds, the more yellow a diamond is, the less valuable it is. However, once a diamond goes past the end of the classic color scale (D to Z), its value begins to go up again the deeper and more intense its color is.
Are yellow diamonds more expensive?
Light or faint yellow diamonds are fairly common and therefore are generally cheaper than colorless diamonds. Deep, intense yellow diamonds and canary yellow diamonds, however, are rare, valuable, and usually more expensive.
Are yellow diamonds rare?
Yellow diamonds are the most common kind of fancy colored diamond. The rarity depends on the exact shade of yellow. Light-colored yellow diamonds are somewhat common, but those with an intense yellow color, or with an orange or green overtone, are quite rare and valuable.
Are canary or yellow diamonds famous?
Beautiful, deep yellow or canary diamonds are rare, and thus make for some of the most famous diamonds in the world. They create an iconic look, and canary yellow diamonds have been shown off by many celebrities, from Jennifer Lopez to Carrie Underwood to Hillary Clinton.
How does color affect the price of yellow diamonds?
Yellow diamond colors are graded on how deep and intense their color is. On the lower end of the scale are faint or fancy light grades, which have a lighter color and are less expensive. On the other end are fancy intense and fancy vivid yellow diamonds, which carry a much higher price tag.
Supporting colors can also affect the price of yellow diamonds. Generally, a brownish tinge will lower a yellow diamond’s value, while an orange or greenish hue increases its price.
How do the 4 C’s affect the price of yellow diamonds?
The 4 C’s should be taken into account for yellow diamonds as they are for colorless diamonds. Colored diamonds are also graded on cut, color, carat and clarity. However, because the biggest difference in price comes from color, as yellow diamonds with a high grade in color (fancy intense – fancy vivid) carry a much larger price per carat than one with a lighter shade of yellow, if you loosen up a bit on the other Cs, you’re not going to lose that much.
What is the price of a 1 carat yellow diamond?
The price of a 1 carat yellow diamond can range from $2,000 to $16,000+, depending on how it’s graded, and the intensity of its color. Intense yellow diamonds, such as canary diamonds, are the most expensive and usually cost at least $10,000 for a 1 carat diamond.
Bottom Line Recommendation:
Color can vary greatly even within a specific GIA color grade. In our experience, Leibish & Co. has the best prices and overall customer experience in the fancy color diamond market. In addition, Leibish & Co’s expertise brings out the maximum color of a diamond when set in a ring.
For our readers looking to spend more than $25,000, we recommend reaching out to Abe Mor. Abe Mor is a wholesaler based in NYC that has done wonders for hundreds of our readers looking to create a perfect, and unique, engagement ring.
Yellow diamonds are very popular in halo settings like this stunning set but also go well with elegant solitaire settings like this one from Leibish.
What we love about them:
- Largest and best inventory of fancy color diamonds
- Best prices for fancy color diamonds
- Industry leading expertise will ensure the color of your diamond is maximized in its setting
- Leading bidders in the annual Argyle auction
- Highest quality jewelry available online
- Free shipping
- Free resizing within first 2 years of purchase
- Items comes with professional appraisal for insurance
- 30 day no questions asked free return policy
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