What Makes Color
Color in natural diamonds comes from trace elements and structural features formed in the earth. Nitrogen gives yellow, boron gives blue, and other features give pink, green, and brown.
Because color forms naturally and rarely, strongly colored diamonds are far rarer than white diamonds of the same size.
How Color Is Graded
Fancy color grading describes hue first, such as yellow or pink, then tone, from light to dark, and saturation, from faint to vivid.
Vivid stones with even color command the highest prices, while faint stones cost far less and suit buyers who want a hint of color.
Popular Colors
Yellow is the most available fancy color and the most affordable entry point. Pink is rarer and more costly, and blue and green are among the rarest.
Brown and champagne tones, covered in their own guide, offer warmth at lower prices than pink or blue.
Choosing a Stone
Choose by color face-up in natural light, since grading light differs from daily light. A stone that looks vivid in grading light but dull in daylight disappoints.
Cut matters differently for colored diamonds: cut is shaped to strengthen color, not only to maximize white sparkle, so compare stones by face-up color first.
Natural Colored Diamonds FAQ
What is a fancy color diamond?
A natural diamond whose color falls outside the white D-to-Z scale, graded by hue, tone, and saturation.
Which fancy color is rarest?
Red is rarest, followed by blue and green. Yellow is the most available fancy color.
Are natural colored diamonds more expensive?
Strongly colored stones usually cost far more than white diamonds of the same size, because they are much rarer.
Do colored diamonds need special care?
No. Care is the same as for white diamonds: gentle cleaning and secure settings.