Fancy Colored Diamonds: What Makes Them Rare and Special?

Diamonds are best known for their brilliance and clarity, but did you know that they come in a stunning array of colours too? Enter the world of fancy coloured diamonds: a dazzling subset of natural diamonds prized for their rare hues, from soft pinks to vivid purples. These aren’t just beautiful gemstones; they’re rare treasures that command attention (and often, jaw-dropping prices).

Whether you’re curious about the rarest diamond colours or want to know what makes a diamond sparkle — colour or clarity? This guide covers it all.

What Is a Fancy Coloured Diamond?

Contrary to what you might assume, coloured diamonds are not dyed or treated artificially. They’re formed naturally under the earth’s surface with unique trace elements or conditions that give them their vibrant hues. A fancy coloured diamond is any diamond that exhibits colour beyond the traditional D-to-Z white diamond scale. The D-to-Z scale evaluates the depth of a diamond’s colour, starting from D–colourless to Z–light or yellow brown.

In contrast, fancy coloured diamonds are prized for the richness and intensity of their shades. They come in almost every colour imaginable, from yellow and pink to blue, green, and even black. The more vivid the hue, the rarer and more valuable the diamond becomes. This naturally leads to a fascinating balance between beauty, rarity, and personal expression.

Understanding Fancy
Colour Diamonds:

Fancy coloured diamonds and natural diamonds are not judged by the same parameters. The main differentiator is the sparkle. When we talk about natural diamonds, all we care about is their brilliance, but coloured diamonds don’t necessarily have the same level of radiance.

What Makes a Diamond
Sparkle: Colour or Clarity?

It’s a common question: what makes a diamond sparkle: colour or clarity? While the brilliance of a diamond largely depends on its cut, in the case of fancy coloured diamonds, it’s the colour that often steals the show. Even if clarity is lower, a vivid hue like a deep pink or rare green can make the diamond more desirable and valuable.

Popular Fancy
Coloured Diamonds:

Some colours are more sought-after than others due to their rarity and allure. Whether you’re looking for a striking engagement ring or a standout piece for your collection, these are the shades that make collectors and designers swoon.

Blue, Yellow, Pink, Purple, and More:

Each hue tells a different story. Pink diamonds, for instance, are symbolic of love and romance, often featured in heirloom-style jewellery like a gold ring with pink diamond. Yellow diamonds exude warmth and cheer, while blue diamonds are rich, dramatic, and famously luxurious. Green diamond earrings offer a unique organic appeal, and a purple diamond ring is an ultimate royal elegance.
These colours occur due to different elements or conditions during the diamond’s formation; nitrogen causes yellow, boron results in blue, and internal graining can produce purple or pink. The Aurora Pyramid of Hope, displayed at the Natural History Museum in London, flaunts the most comprehensive natural coloured diamonds collection in the world. It features 296 cut natural diamonds in a wide spectrum of colours.

Diamond Colour Grading

Not all coloured diamonds are created equal and grading plays a vital role in determining their worth. Unlike white diamonds, which are graded from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown), fancy colour diamonds are graded based on the depth and purity of their colour.

How Diamonds Are Graded:
From Faint to Fancy Vivid

Grading scales for coloured diamonds include descriptors like:

• Faint  • Very Light   • Light   • Fancy Light   • Fancy   • Fancy Intense   • Fancy Vivid   • Fancy Deep

The more intense the colour, the higher the value. For instance, a fancy vivid pink diamond will command a
far higher price than a faint pink stone of the same carat weight.

How to Choose a Fancy
Coloured Diamond:

Choosing a coloured diamond is as much about personal taste as it is about
rarity. Whether you’re captivated by a soft champagne shade or a bold violet, the
diamond should speak to your sense of style and occasion.

Are Coloured Diamonds Valuable?

Yes, especially in today’s market where individuality and uniqueness are prized.
Fancy coloured diamonds are often seen as a strong investment due to their
limited supply and increasing demand. Even smaller stones in rare shades like
purple diamonds or intense blues can appreciate significantly in value over time.

Tips for Buying Fancy Coloured Diamonds:

Insist on certification: Make sure your diamond comes with a GIA or equivalent grading report.
Understand the origin: Natural fancy colours are worth far more than treated or synthetic alternatives.
Evaluate the setting: The right metal can enhance your diamond’s hue, like rose gold for pinks or platinum for blues.
Pair thoughtfully: Combine your statement stone with complementary pieces. Pearl diamond rings can pair well with
vibrant-hued stones.

Conclusion: Embrace the Beauty
of Fancy Coloured Diamonds

Fancy coloured diamonds are rare gems and wearable works of nature’s art. With their range of colours, they open up a new world of expression, luxury, and individuality. Whether you’re investing in your first coloured piece or expanding a collection, understanding the diamond colour chart, rarity, and value makes the journey all the more rewarding.

So the next time someone asks, “what colour are diamonds?” — you’ll know the answer is, quite simply, all of them.