If you're looking for a unique twist on the classic engagement ring, fancy yellow diamonds, also known as canary yellow diamonds, have established a strong niche market. The flash of a golden hue adds depth and character to your engagement ring, catches the eye, and sets it apart from traditional white diamond rings.

However, with the addition of a fancy colour element, there are a few more things to consider when purchasing your diamond.

Let’s cover everything you need to know before buying a canary yellow diamond.

What Are Flawless Yellow Diamonds?

Fancy coloured diamonds are available in various hues, including yellow, and can occur naturally or be created through man-made processes. While colourless diamonds are most commonly found, fancy-colored diamonds like yellow offer a unique and captivating alternative. Nitrogen in their structure gives yellow diamonds their distinctive colour and can range from a pale lemon yellow to a vivid canary yellow.

Flawless Yellow Diamonds

In regular "colourless" diamonds, a yellowish tint is considered a negative quality, as diamonds that are completely clear and colourless are typically more valuable. However, when the yellow colour becomes more dominant, the diamond is classified as a fancy colored diamond and its value begins to rise again. Yellow diamonds, in particular, are highly valued and prized for their intense colour, rarity, and beauty.

To be classified as flawless, a yellow diamond must have no visible inclusions or blemishes when viewed under 10x magnification by a trained gemologist.

Inclusions are tiny imperfections within the diamond, such as cracks, bubbles, or minerals, that can affect the clarity and overall appearance of the stone. Blemishes, on the other hand, are external marks, such as scratches or chips, that can also affect the appearance and value of the diamond.

Yellow diamonds are graded using the same 4Cs as all other diamonds: carat weight, colour, clarity, and cut. Flawless yellow diamonds are extremely rare and typically found in smaller sizes, making them more valuable than larger diamonds with lower clarity grades.

Levels Of Intensity In Grading Yellow Diamonds

Grading Yellow Diamonds

When it comes to grading yellow diamonds, colour intensity is a crucial factor that can greatly affect the value and rarity of the stone. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades coloured diamonds on a scale from faint to fancy deep, with nine distinct colour categories in between.

The colour categories for yellow diamonds are as follows:

  1. Faint Yellow: These diamonds have a very subtle hint of yellow and are generally considered the lowest quality in the yellow diamond category. They are usually more affordable than diamonds with stronger colour grades.
  2. Very Light Yellow: These diamonds have a slightly stronger hint of yellow than faint yellow diamonds, but the colour is still very subtle and not particularly desirable.
  3. Light Yellow: Light yellow diamonds are a step up in colour intensity from very light yellow, with a noticeable yellow tint that adds character to the stone.
  4. Fancy Light Yellow: These diamonds have a more distinct yellow hue that is still relatively light in intensity, making them popular for use in jewellery.
  5. Fancy Yellow: This is the most popular colour grade for yellow diamonds, with a bright and vibrant yellow colour that is highly desirable.
  6. Fancy Intense Yellow: These diamonds have a stronger yellow hue than fancy yellow diamonds and are prized for their intense colour.
  7. Fancy Vivid Yellow: These diamonds are even more intensely yellow than fancy intense yellow diamonds, with a bright and vivid colour that is highly sought after.
  8. Fancy Deep Yellow: This colour grade is reserved for diamonds with an extremely deep and intense yellow hue that is rare and highly valuable.
  9. Fancy Dark Yellow: These diamonds have the darkest yellow hue of all yellow diamonds, with a deep and rich colour that is truly unique.

It's worth noting that even within each colour grade, there can be variations in the tone and saturation of the colour that can affect the value and rarity of the stone.

Lab-Created Yellow Diamonds

It is possible to create yellow diamonds in a laboratory with the same physical and visual properties as naturally occurring diamonds. These lab-grown diamonds offer an interesting alternative for those on a budget, as they are significantly cheaper than their natural counterparts. 

The advantage of lab-grown diamonds is that they are easier to come by, making them more accessible to a wider range of consumers.

While lab-created fancy yellow diamonds are physically no different from natural diamonds, they are not as rare and thus carry very little resale value. However, if you are simply looking for a beautiful diamond at a lower price point, lab-grown diamonds may be a great option to consider.

Can A Traditionally Mined Diamond Be Flawless?

Yes, a traditionally mined diamond can be flawless. A flawless diamond has no visible inclusions or blemishes when viewed under 10x magnification. While naturally occurring inclusions are more common in traditionally mined diamonds, it is still possible to find a diamond that is completely free from any flaws.

Diamonds are formed deep within the earth's mantle over millions of years, and the process can result in various types of inclusions and blemishes. However, a skilled diamond cutter can often remove or minimize these imperfections to create a diamond that appears flawless to the naked eye.

It's important to note that a diamond's clarity grade is based on the size, type, and location of any inclusions or blemishes, so even a diamond graded as "flawless" may still have some very minor inclusions that are not visible to the naked eye. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, flawless yellow diamonds are a beautiful and unique option for those looking to add a pop of colour to their jewellery collection. These diamonds, which get their rich golden hue from the presence of nitrogen within their structure, can range in intensity from light yellow to vivid fancy yellow. 

When purchasing a yellow diamond, it's important to consider not just the colour but also the other "4 Cs" of diamond quality: carat weight, clarity and cut. And while lab-created yellow diamonds offer an ethical and affordable alternative, it's also possible to find naturally mined yellow diamonds completely free from inclusions or blemishes.

FAQs

What makes a yellow diamond flawless?

A yellow diamond can be considered flawless if it has no visible inclusions or blemishes when viewed under 10x magnification. Flawless yellow diamonds are rare and highly valued due to their rarity and stunning appearance.

What is the best clarity for yellow diamonds?

The best clarity for a yellow diamond will depend on the individual stone and its overall quality. In general, a clarity grade of VS2 or higher is considered good for a yellow diamond. However, it's important to consider the diamond's other characteristics, such as its colour, cut, and carat weight, when evaluating its overall quality.

What is the most famous yellow diamond?

Charles Lewis Tiffany acquired the world-renowned Tiffany Yellow Diamond in 1877, which was discovered in the Kimberley diamond mine in South Africa. This dazzling yellow diamond weighed 287.42 carats and was acquired for a price of $18,000 at the time of purchase. It remains one of the most famous yellow diamonds in the world.