If you’ve only ever seen white diamonds, then you’re not alone, as colored diamonds or fancy diamonds as they’re known are the rarest of rare gemstones!
Diamonds are often envisioned as gleaming white gems, the epitome of sparkle and tradition. Yet, the world of diamonds is vast and vibrantly colored, extending far beyond the conventional.
Known as fancy diamonds, these stones dazzle in every hue of the rainbow, offering a unique palette for those seeking something extraordinary.
In this guide, we delve into the colorful universe of fancy diamonds, exploring how they are formed, their meanings, and showcasing some of the world's most renowned pieces of fancy diamond jewelry.
From the subtle pinks to the deep blues, each color tells a story, and at deBoulle Diamond & Jewelry, we provide a gateway to this spectacular world, including exquisite diamond engagement, perfect for any proposal.
What To Look for When You’re Shopping Fancy Diamonds
Fancy diamonds are exceptionally rare. Only one in every 10,000 diamonds has any color. Fancy diamonds are available in yellow, pink, red, green, orange, blue, purple, and brown. So, regardless of your personal favorite, there’s a fancy diamond for you. However, where do fancy diamonds come from, and what makes them so rare?
Structural defects, impurities, and elements, while considered imperfections in other gemstones, are exactly what make fancy diamonds so rare and sought after. The more vivid the color, the more valuable the fancy diamond.
When it comes to cutting a fancy diamond, they’re a little different here, too. Rather than cutting a fancy diamond to maximize flashes of light and reflection, instead, it’s cut to highlight and maximize their color.
Pink Diamonds
Pink diamonds gain their beautiful pink color thanks to subtle alignment changes in the stone’s carbon atoms, known as lattice or atomic distortion. Thanks to heat and pressure, the arrangement of the atoms determines the color of the stone. Most of the world’s pink diamonds come from the Australian Argyle mine. However, that mine is now depleted, which makes pink diamonds extremely rare and sought after.
Associated with romance, passion, and femininity, pink diamonds are often used to symbolize tenderness or sweetness. As a symbol of passion and power, a pink diamond is perfect for someone looking to highlight their elegance and gracefulness.
Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Blake Lively, Anna Kournikova, and Victoria Beckham are all proud owners of pink diamond rings. Still, it was Jennifer Lopez’s 2002 engagement ring from Ben Affleck that really increased the public’s awareness of these beautiful pink diamonds.
Yellow Diamonds
Yellow diamonds are found in most diamond mines, but the most significant source of these rare stones is South Africa, Canada, Australia, and Russia. These golden diamonds are formed when an atom of nitrogen replaces a carbon atom in the diamond’s structure during development.
At de Boulle, we have intimate experience handcrafting exquisite yellow diamond jewelry pieces. One of our most famous yellow diamond pieces is the High Jewelry Collection 35th Anniversary Ring, which features an 18-plus-carat natural fancy yellow diamond framed in delicate pavé.
A yellow diamond holds a unique symbolic place as part of the engagement ring. Symbolizing happiness, optimism, and love, a yellow diamond is the perfect representation of a long and happy relationship.
Victoria Beckham, along with owning a pink diamond engagement ring, also owns a beautiful emerald-cut, pale yellow diamond ring. It is set in yellow gold and complemented by two diamond eternity bands, which magnify the stone’s color and vibrance. And in 2018, she also wore an attention-grabbing cushion-cut yellow diamond ring that was set in a platinum pavé band.
In 2019, actor and Saturday Night Live star Colin Jost proposed to his partner Scarlett Johansson with a unique engagement ring that featured an 11-carat pale yellow diamond with a deep espresso brown ceramic band.
Blue Diamonds
Blue diamonds come into being when an atom of boron replaces and atom of carbon in the diamond’s structure deep within the earth’s core. Depending on how much boron is present, you could end up with a pale blue diamond or a deep blue like the sky. Most blue diamonds are sourced from the Cullinan mine in South Africa.
One of the rarest colored diamonds, blue diamonds are highly sought after for engagement rings because they symbolize trust and loyalty. Blue fancy diamonds also represent wealth and prosperity, along with being associated with royalty.
The world’s most famous blue diamond is the Hope Diamond. Weighing in at 45.52 carats, this one-of-a-kind diamond has been valued at $250 million. When the Hope Diamond was donated to the Smithsonian by Harry Winston in 1958, he sent it in the mail via Registered Mail.
Green Diamonds
Green diamonds owe their color to naturally occurring radiation, which alters their atomic structure over many years deep within the earth. The duration and strength of exposure determine the strength of the green color. Green diamonds are most commonly found in Africa, Guyana, Venezuela, and Africa.
A green fancy diamond symbolizes freshness, nature, fertility, harmony, and growth.
The world’s most famous green fancy diamond is the Dresden Green diamond. Weighing in at 41 carats, the Dresden Green is often referred to as the cousin of the Hope Diamond, thanks to its historical significance.
Orange Diamonds
Nitrogen, the same element responsible for yellow diamonds, is responsible for orange diamonds when it’s combined with other natural anomalies within the structure of the gemstone. The fire and beauty of orange diamonds make them exceptionally rare and highly sought after. Most orange diamonds come from Africa and Australia.
Orange diamonds symbolize strength, confidence, power, enthusiasm, and courage.
While it’s a lot smaller than the Hope Diamond or Dresden Green, the world’s most famous orange fancy diamond is the Pumpkin Diamond, and it’s renowned for its fiery orange color and hue.
Red Diamonds
One of the rarest fancy diamonds, red diamonds get their color from very subtle alignment changes in the diamond’s atoms. The world’s largest source of red diamonds was the now-depleted Argyle mine in Australia.
Along with courage and strength, red diamonds are a natural representation of love, passion, and desire.
Weighing in just over 5 carats, one of the world’s most famous red diamonds is the DeYoung Red. Interestingly, Sydney DeYoung discovered the stone at a flea market, initially mistaking it for a red garnet. In 1987, DeYoung donated the DeYoung Red to the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC.
Purple Diamonds
Purple diamonds come to life thanks to hydrogen being trapped in the carbon structure of the diamond as it is formed deep within the earth. Most purple diamonds were mined almost exclusively from the now-depleted Argyle mine in Australia, but some have been discovered in Russia and Africa.
Associated with enlightenment, pride, and spirituality, the color purple has also long been associated with power, wealth, and nobility.
The largest purple fancy diamond in the world is the Royal Purple Heart Diamond. Boasting a heart shape, this 7.34-carat diamond is believed to have come from Russia, but not much is known about who owns it now or how much it sold for.
Discover the Unique Allure of Fancy Diamonds
Fancy diamonds are more than just alternatives to the classic white diamond; they are symbols of individuality and rarity. Each color, from the fiery oranges to the tranquil greens, not only enhances the beauty of the jewelry but also carries deep symbolic meanings, making them perfect for those looking to express specific sentiments or celebrate special moments.
At deBoulle Diamond & Jewelry, we take pride in offering an extensive selection of these extraordinary gems, crafted into exquisite pieces that are as unique as they are beautiful.
Discover our stunning collection of high-end jewelry in Dallas and Houston at deBoulle Diamond & Jewelry, featuring exquisite diamond engagement rings and luxury timepieces perfect for that special proposal. Visit us in-store or explore our selection online, and don't hesitate to contact our expert staff with any questions or to view these magnificent pieces in person.
