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In a sea of white diamonds, a natural yellow diamond offers something totally unique. It’s a vibe–a personal ray of sunshine that stands out in the best way possible. From its vibrant hue to its undeniable personality, a yellow diamond is the ultimate style statement.
But if you’re new to the world of fancy colored diamonds, shopping for one can feel a little intimidating. The perfect yellow diamond isn’t just about what you see on the surface–it’s a masterpiece of light and design, where the way it's cut and set can make all the difference.
To help you on your search, we’ve put together a guide of four key tips. Whether you’re shopping for a show-stopping engagement ring or a timeless pair of earrings, this post will give you the inside scoop on how to choose a yellow diamond that you’ll love forever.
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Tip #1: Go Beyond Your Yellow Diamond Color Grade
Color is everything–or at least it’s the most important thing in the world of fancy colored diamonds. But finding that vivid yellow diamond ring on a faint yellow budget can feel near impossible. Luckily, this simple hack can help you improve the color of your yellow diamond. But before we get into it, let’s get to know the yellow diamond color grade.
The Color Scale for Fancy Colored Diamonds
The GIA assigns yellow diamonds to one of six “fancy” color grades, based on how intense (aka saturated) their color is:
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Fancy Light
A Fancy Light yellow diamond has a noticeable yellow color but it's still quite delicate and soft. The saturation is low, resulting in a pastel or pale yellow appearance, like a faint, sweet lemonade. -
Fancy
A Fancy yellow diamond shows a clear and definite yellow color that is more saturated than a Fancy Light. The color is distinct and easily recognizable, without being overpowering. Think of the color of a buttercup flower. This grade offers a beautiful, pure yellow hue and represents a significant step up in both color intensity and value from Fancy Light. -
Fancy Intense
Often called "Canary" yellow by the trade (though this is a nickname, not an official grade), Fancy Intense yellow diamonds have a remarkably strong, pure, and vibrant yellow color. The saturation is high, with very little to no tonal modifiers darkening the hue. The color is rich and striking, resembling the color of a daffodil or a sunflower. These diamonds are much rarer and more valuable than the preceding grades. -
Fancy Vivid
This is the highest and most coveted grade for a yellow diamond. A Fancy Vivid yellow has the most intense saturation possible. The color is exceptionally pure, deep, and vibrant, often described as having an almost electric or glowing quality. It's the "purest" and most concentrated yellow hue a diamond can display. Fancy Vivid yellows are extremely rare and command the highest prices due to their stunning beauty and scarcity. -
Fancy Deep
A Fancy Deep diamond has a strong saturation of yellow, similar to or even greater than Fancy Intense, but it also has a darker tone. This darker tone gives the color a rich, slightly deeper, and sometimes warmer appearance, which can include brownish or orangey modifying colors. The color might be compared to a rich, golden honey. -
Fancy Dark
As the name suggests, a Fancy Dark diamond's dominant characteristic is its dark tone. The yellow hue is present, but it is muted and overshadowed by a gray, brown, or blackish overtone. The saturation is typically not as strong as in the Intense or Vivid grades. The appearance is often a bit moody or earthy, like a deep olive oil.
In most cases, the higher the saturation, the more valuable the diamond. However, the cost of your diamond is dependent on a variety of factors. It’s not uncommon to discover a diamond with a Fancy Vivid grade that actually costs less than a diamond with a Fancy Intense grade thanks to characteristics like carat, clarity, and cut.
The Two-Tone Hack
So you’ve got your heart set on a more vibrant yellow diamond–we’re going to let you in on a little secret–you can actually make your stone appear more vivid and saturated with a simple setting hack: go two-tone.
This isn’t just a design choice–it’s a clever optical trick. A two-tone setting uses contrast and light reflection to amplify the diamond’s color. The platinum band makes the diamond’s yellow color “pop” by creating a sharp contrast. At the same time, the yellow gold prongs work to enhance its color by reflecting warm, yellow light into the edges of the stone. It’s a brilliant design secret that gives you the best of both worlds– the bright, contrasting effect of white metal on the band and the color-enhancing effect of yellow metal right where it touches the stone.
See how the buttery gold tone of claw prongs enhance the yellow color of the diamond in our 3.08ct Yellow Cushion Ring? Not only that, but the yellow color allows for a cohesive flow thereby helping increase the visual size of the diamond itself. A deeper color and a smoother look? That’s a win-win.
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Tip #2: Inspect Loose Yellow Diamonds for Windowing
You’ve heard that a diamond’s character comes from its cut, and that’s because each facet is designed to interact with light in a unique way. While many seek the brilliant, fiery sparkle of a perfectly proportioned stone, others are drawn to different optical effects.
One such effect is known as “windowing,” where a diamond has an area of transparency that allows you to see straight through it. This creates a clear, open look that some clients fall in love with for its unique, glassy beauty.
This characteristic is often found in elongated fancy shapes like oval, pear, and marquise diamonds. These elegant cuts offer incredible benefits, providing a larger appearance for their carat weight and creating a flattering, slenderizing effect on the finger. For those who love them, a touch of windowing can enhance their open and airy aesthetic.
The beauty of a yellow diamond is truly in the eye of the beholder. When you’re inspecting loose diamonds, it’s essential to view them from multiple angles and against different backgrounds. This allows you to see the stone’s true personality—how it displays its vibrant color, how it plays with light, and whether its unique cut is the perfect match for your personal style.
At Rare Colors, we personally hand-select each of our breathtaking fancy colored diamonds for its unmatched quality and character. We celebrate the unique beauty of every stone, so you can feel confident that the diamond you choose will be the one you absolutely love. Ready to find your perfect diamond? Reach out today to get started!
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Tip #3: Choose the Perfect Tone for Your Ideal Yellow Diamond
We’ve already talked about color saturation–now let's get into tone. Think of it like finding that perfect shade of yellow you want to wear. A diamond’s tone is all about its place on a spectrum from light to dark. Your goal is to find the “just right” spot for you.
When the tone is too light, the diamond can look washed out, like a faint whisper of yellow. But if it’s too dark, the diamond can start to look brownish or dull, totally losing that vibrant glow you’re after. What you really want to look for is a diamond with a clear, vibrant tone that lets its natural color shine through without any distractions.
The Truth About Perfect
Look, there’s no single “perfect” tone. You might love a bright, intense yellow that feels like pure sunshine, while your friend might be drawn to the rich, saturated hue of a deeper-toned stone. The most important thing is finding the balance that speaks to your personal style. At the end of the day, your ideal yellow diamond is the one you can’t stop looking at.
Speaking of perfect tone, these 1.5 Carat Each Fancy Yellow Radiant Studs are a beautiful showcase of a perfectly balanced tone. The cushion-cut diamonds radiate a lively, “sunny” yellow, proving that a diamond’s color can be both bright and deeply saturated. Set in complementary yellow gold, these earrings are a celebration of pure color and brilliance.
Tip #4: Create a Statement by Mixing Yellow Diamonds with Colorless Diamonds
Why settle for one diamond when you can have two (or more)? Some of the most stunning jewelry pieces on the market today mix both yellow and white diamonds–and we’re here for it. This “art of contrast” is a favorite among designers for a reason. (Remember how we talked about using a two-tone setting to make a diamond pop? This is that same idea, but on a bigger scale.)
The goal is to create a dynamic look that highlights the beauty of both. When a vibrant yellow diamond is set next to a crisp, white diamond, the contrast makes the yellow stone look even more radiant. It’s a modern, chic styling choice that creates a bold statement without needing to be over-the-top.
For the ultimate mix and match piece, check out our 8.6ct Yellow & White Diamond Tennis Bracelet. This piece proves that two colors are better than one. The seamless arrangement of these exceptional yellow and white diamonds creates a mesmerizing dance of light and color on your wrist. It’s a perfect example of how combining different diamond types can result in a piece that’s more beautiful and dynamic than the sum of its parts.
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Now Go Put These Tips to Work!
Ready to find your perfect fancy colored yellow diamond? We can help. Whether you’re looking for a classic Fancy yellow or unique, Yellow-Brown hue, all of our expertly curated yellow diamonds have been handpicked for their superior quality and unmatched sparkle. Browse our loose yellow diamonds, yellow diamond engagement rings, or yellow diamond jewelry to find your perfect stone. Or, drop us a line to schedule a private viewing of our favorite available diamonds. Not in NYC? Not a problem! We have nationwide retailers ready for your every need.
