Are Yellow Diamonds Worth Anything? Value, Rarity, Everything You Need to Know
When your looking to buy a diamond in Baltimore, you want to trust that you are being sold a unique and timeless luxury piece. Our team at Samuelson’s Diamonds is often about the value and rarity of yellow diamonds – are they worth the investment?
Yellow diamonds, also known as “canary” diamonds, are highly sought after for their striking color and unique beauty. These rare gems can range in hue – and are some of nature’s most treasured treasures.
What are Yellow Diamonds?
Yellow diamonds are natural diamonds that get their color from nitrogen molecules trapped inside the diamond during formation.
Unlike lower-grade white diamonds that may have a slight yellow tint (graded on the D-Z color scale), true fancy yellow diamonds have an intentional yellow color that makes them super desirable.
These beautiful gems come in many intensities:
- Fancy Light Yellow: Subtle yellow color
- Fancy Yellow: Clear yellow color
- Fancy Intense Yellow: Bold yellow color
- Fancy Vivid Yellow: The most yellow
- Fancy Deep Yellow: Rich yellow with brown undertones
Are Yellow Diamonds Rare?
While yellow diamonds are the most common of the fancy-colored diamonds, they’re still very rare in nature.
Consider this: only about 1 in 10,000 carats of mined diamonds is a natural, colored diamond. Yellow diamonds make up about 60% of those colored diamonds, so about 1 in 16,500 carats mined is a yellow diamond.
The rarity increases with the intensity of the color. While Fancy Light Yellow diamonds are more common, finding a Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond of size and clarity can be very tough.
Yellow Diamonds vs White Diamonds: Value Comparison
How do yellow diamonds compare in value to white diamonds? It depends on the intensity of the yellow color:
- Fancy Light Yellow diamonds are priced similarly to I-color white diamonds
- Fancy Yellow diamonds are priced like G-color white diamonds
- Fancy Intense Yellow diamonds are 25-50% more than comparable white diamonds
- Fancy Vivid Yellow diamonds are 2-3 times more than Fancy Yellow diamonds
For example, a 1-carat Fancy Yellow diamond of good quality is $3,000-$4,000, and a Fancy Vivid Yellow is $8,500-$12,500 or more. The most rare yellow diamonds, especially those from the Zimmi mine in Africa, are $20,000-$30,000 per carat.
What Factors Into a Yellow Diamond’s Value?
There’s more to a yellow diamond’s value than just the fancy color. At Samuelson’s Diamonds, we consider these key factors when evaluating any yellow diamond:
Color Intensity and Purity
The most important value factor for yellow diamonds is color quality, including intensity and purity. Pure yellow diamonds (often called canary diamonds) are more valuable than those with secondary colors:
- Pure yellow often receives the premium price
- Brown undertones can decrease the value
- Green or orange secondary colors increase value
- Deeper, more saturated yellows are more valuable than lighter shades
Secondary Colors
When looking at yellow diamonds, you may see these color combinations:
- Orange-yellow: Often increases value
- Green-yellow: Can enhance value
- Brown-yellow: Usually decreases value significantly
- Gray-yellow: Generally reduces value
Size and Carat Weight
Like all diamonds, yellow diamonds increase in price exponentially with size:
- 1-carat fancy yellow: $3,000-$4,000
- 2-carat fancy yellow: $8,000-$10,000
- 3-carat fancy yellow: $18,000-$25,000
Clarity Characteristics
While color is king, clarity still counts:
- VS1-VS2: Most common and recommended clarity grades
- VVS: Commands premium, but the difference may not be visible
- SI1: Offers excellent value if eye-clean
Unlike white diamonds, slight inclusions can be masked by the yellow color
Certification and Authentication
For yellow diamonds, certification is key to value and authenticity. At Samuelson’s, we recommend GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certificates for yellow diamonds because:
- GIA is the authority in fancy color grading
- Color grades are consistent and accurate
- Certificates prove natural vs. treated color
- Documentation includes secondary hues
GIA Color Grades
The GIA certificate will list both the main color and any secondary colors, in order of dominance. For example:
- “Fancy Yellow” means pure yellow
- “Fancy Brownish Yellow” means yellow is dominant with brown undertones
- “Fancy Yellow-Brown” means brown and yellow are equal
How Do You Choose The Most Valuable Yellow Diamond?
1. Go With Color First
Color intensity is the main driver of a yellow diamond’s beauty and value.
Choose the strongest yellow color grade you can afford, and avoid stones with brown undertones, and consider how different metal settings can enhance the diamond’s natural color – yellow gold settings can intensify lighter yellow diamonds, white metal can create contrast.
2. Remember, Shape Matters
Radiant and cushion shapes are the most popular and valuable because they are designed to maximize color in yellow diamonds. While round is rare and much more expensive, ovals can be a great value and look similar to round when properly proportioned.
3. Come With A “Clarity Strategy”
Since inclusions are less visible in yellow diamonds than in colorless stones, VS2-SI1 clarity grades can be the best value. Consider allocating more of your budget to better color intensity rather than the highest clarity grades, as the yellow color will mask minor inclusions.
4. Always Work with Diamond Experts
Always insist on GIA certification for yellow diamonds. Other labs may not be as consistent in their color grading. Work with established dealers who deal with fancy-colored diamonds and consider getting an independent appraisal for larger purchases.
Your Trusted Partner in Yellow Diamond Expertise
Whether you’re looking to purchase a yellow diamond engagement ring or want to understand the value of a yellow diamond you own, our team of expert gemologists can provide the guidance you need.
Want to learn more? Schedule your private consultation at our Baltimore, Chevy Chase, or Northern Virginia locations today and experience the personalized service that has made us the region’s most trusted name in diamonds since 1922.
