Yellow Diamonds
| Property | Details |
|---|
| Cause of Color | Nitrogen atoms absorb blue light |
| Rarity | Most common fancy color (after brown); still less than 1 in 10,000 gem diamonds |
| GIA Grades Available | Fancy Light Yellow through Fancy Vivid Yellow |
| Most Desirable Grade | Fancy Vivid Yellow (“Canary”) |
| Famous Examples | Tiffany Yellow Diamond (128.54 ct), Incomparable Diamond (407.48 ct), Allnatt Diamond (101.29 ct) |
| Best Cuts | Radiant, cushion, pear (intensify color) |
| Price Range (1ct, natural) | $3,000 – $30,000+ depending on grade |
Overview
Yellow diamonds are the most popular and widely available of the fancy colors. They owe their warm golden color to nitrogen atoms trapped within the diamond's carbon crystal structure during formation. The more nitrogen present and the more it is concentrated in specific atomic arrangements, the deeper and more vivid the yellow color becomes.
Yellow diamonds occupy an interesting position in the diamond market. On the standard D-to-Z color scale, a slight yellow tint is considered a defect that reduces value. But once a diamond crosses the threshold into “Fancy” territory, the yellow color becomes a virtue, and deeper, more vivid yellows command increasingly higher prices.
The Cape Series & Canary Diamonds
Historically, yellow diamonds were called “Cape” diamonds because many originated from South Africa's Cape Province. Today, the term “canary” is informally used for the most vivid, pure yellow diamonds — those graded Fancy Vivid Yellow by GIA with no brownish or greenish modifiers. True canary diamonds are among the most sought-after yellow diamonds and command premium prices.
It is important to note that “canary” is a trade term, not an official GIA grade. Always rely on the GIA certificate rather than marketing terms.
Color Grades & What to Look For
Yellow diamonds are graded across the full GIA fancy color spectrum:
- Fancy Light Yellow: A soft, buttery warmth. Beautiful in larger stones. Most affordable entry point.
- Fancy Yellow: Clearly yellow with good saturation. Popular for engagement rings.
- Fancy Intense Yellow: Strong, unmistakable yellow. Excellent balance of color and value.
- Fancy Vivid Yellow: The top grade. Saturated, electric yellow with no brown or green modifiers. Commands the highest prices.
Modifying colors matter: a “Fancy Brownish Yellow” is less valuable than a “Fancy Yellow,” and a “Fancy Greenish Yellow” falls somewhere in between depending on the depth of green.
Natural vs Treated vs Lab-Grown
Natural: Formed over billions of years with nitrogen inclusions. Certified by GIA with origin noted as natural. The most valuable.
HPHT Treated: Some brownish or near-colorless diamonds can be converted to yellow through high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) treatment. These must be disclosed and are priced significantly lower than natural yellows.
Lab-Grown: Both CVD and HPHT processes can create vivid yellow diamonds. Lab-grown yellows offer exceptional color at a fraction of natural prices — often 70–85% less for comparable size and color.
Value & Investment
Yellow diamonds are the most accessible fancy color for most buyers. Fancy Light Yellow 1-carat diamonds start around $3,000, while Fancy Vivid Yellow 1-carat diamonds can exceed $20,000–30,000. Larger stones with Fancy Vivid grades have sold at auction for millions.
As an investment, yellow diamonds are more liquid than other fancy colors due to wider availability and demand, but they appreciate more modestly than rarer colors like pink or blue.
Buying Tips
- Choose radiant or cushion cuts — they concentrate color better than round brilliant.
- Set in yellow gold to enhance warmth, or in platinum with yellow gold prongs for contrast.
- Prioritize color grade over clarity — VS2 or SI1 is perfectly fine for yellow diamonds.
- Always ask for a GIA Colored Diamond Grading Report.
Explore more colors in our Colored Diamond Guide, or learn about diamond fundamentals.