When we think of diamonds, most of us picture sparkling white stones. But did you know that diamonds come in a rainbow of natural colors? From delicate pinks to rich blues and intense yellows, fancy colored diamonds are some of the rarest and most valuable gems in the world.
In this post, we’ll explore how colored diamonds get their color, what makes them so sought after, and some of the most iconic colored diamonds in history.
What Are Fancy Colored Diamonds?
Unlike traditional diamonds graded on the D-Z color scale (where D is colorless and Z has noticeable yellow or brown tint), fancy colored diamonds lie outside the scale. These diamonds exhibit intense, noticeable color and are graded based on hue, tone, and saturation.
Fancy colors include pink, blue, yellow, green, brown, orange, red, and even black or purple. The more vivid and saturated the color, the more valuable the stone.
What Causes the Color?
The unique hues of fancy diamonds are caused by natural conditions during their formation deep within the Earth. Here’s a quick breakdown of what causes some of the most popular colors:
- ✩ Pink Diamonds: Caused by crystal lattice distortion due to extreme pressure; the exact cause is still a mystery.
- ✩ Blue Diamonds: The presence of boron during formation absorbs red, yellow, and green light, creating a blue appearance.
- ✩ Yellow Diamonds: Nitrogen atoms absorb blue light, producing a yellow color (these are the most common fancy color).
- ✩ Green Diamonds: Exposure to natural radiation near the earth’s surface results in a green surface coloration.
Why Are They So Valuable?
Fancy colored diamonds are extremely rare:
- Only 1 in 10,000 natural diamonds is considered fancy colored.
- The rarity increases exponentially for stones with deep, vivid saturation.
- Prices skyrocket for unique combinations of color intensity, size, and clarity.
A vivid pink diamond over 5 carats, for example, can sell for millions per carat, making these some of the most expensive gems in the world.
Famous Fancy Colored Diamonds
Some of the world’s most legendary diamonds are fancy colored. Here are a few iconic examples:
- ✩ The Hope Diamond – A 45.52-carat deep blue diamond surrounded by mystery and lore, now housed at the Smithsonian.
- ✩ The Pink Star – A 59.60-carat vivid pink diamond, sold for $71 million at auction.
- ✩ The Oppenheimer Blue – A 14.62-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, once the most expensive blue diamond sold.
- ✩ The Dresden Green – A 41-carat natural green diamond with a royal European history.
These gems are prized not only for their beauty but also for their provenance and rarity.
What Designers Should Know
If you’re designing with colored diamonds, consider these key tips:
- Color is the star – Keep settings simple to let the diamond shine.
- Metal matters – Rose gold complements pinks, platinum enhances blues, and yellow gold pairs beautifully with canary yellows.
- Use vivid hues intentionally – Think about contrast, harmony, and statement when placing a fancy stone.
- Sketch with color accuracy – When illustrating, use correct tones and saturation for realism.
Design Better with JewelKitPro
With JewelKitPro’s Full Kit, you get access to realistically rendered gemstone components, including customizable colored stones. Whether you’re working in Procreate or prepping a digital sketch, our tools help you present your ideas clearly, beautifully, and with professional-level accuracy.
Ready to bring your fancy diamond vision to life?
Stay tuned for more gem education and designer resources from JewelKitPro.