Your Guide to Buying Big Fancy Yellow Diamond Engagement Rings

With the rapid increase in the demand for alternative engagement rings, Fancy Yellow Diamond Engagement Rings are now one of the most highly coveted styles for modern, soon-to-be brides. 

This is because yellow diamond engagement rings are breathtakingly beautiful and they stand out from the crowd. It’s a great engagement ring choice if you want to celebrate your love in a unique way…

However, picking the perfect fancy yellow diamond engagement ring can be a little overwhelming thanks to the countless options available in the market. 

You need to know about yellow diamond grading, pricing, settings, how the precious metal you choose affects its appearance, and more. We are here to provide you with everything you need to know…

This is our guide to selecting the quintessential fancy yellow diamond engagement ring. 

What is a Fancy Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring? (Grading, Origins & Properties) 

Before we get into talking specifically about fancy yellow diamond engagement rings, let’s discuss yellow diamonds. Such as grading, their origins, properties, and meaning, as to inspire you and to make sure its the right choice for you. 

As you probably know, the “4 Cs” are the industry’s standard for diamond grading. The 4 Cs stand for cut, carat, color and clarity. 

When it comes to fancy yellow diamonds, we need to look closely at the color grading scale. 

How are yellow diamonds graded?

For white diamonds, color grades go from D to Z, with the most white being a “D” and light yellow being “Z”. Of course, D color diamonds are the most expensive on the color scale. A rating of “M”, for example, is considered discolored (yellowish) and will be sold for significantly less. However, as the diamond becomes more and more yellow, going past a Z on the color scale, it becomes vividly yellow, which is considered “fancy” and will have a much higher value. Once a yellow diamond reaches a “fancy” point, it will have its own “fancy yellow grading scale” to determine its value. 

Fancy Yellow Diamond Color Grading by GIA

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has a grading system for colored diamonds. They can fall under nine categories based on the diamond’s hue, tone, and saturation.

The scale is Faint, Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Dark, Fancy Deep and Fancy Vivid…

However, the first three (Faint, Very Light, Light) are not actually used for yellow diamonds. Essentially, if a diamond is categorized in one of the first three, it is not considered a fancy yellow diamond, as it is more of a “discolored white diamond”. 

Thus, for fancy yellow diamonds, the scale really begins with Fancy Light. We know that’s a bit confusing, but it is something to be aware of so you can be equipped with the complete knowledge of the grading system. 

Most yellow diamond engagement rings will be Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense and Fancy Vivid.

Generally speaking, the more yellow color/hue the diamond has the more valuable and beautiful it’s considered. 

So, Fancy Deep and Fancy Vivid diamonds are usually the most valuable (these are also known as Canary Diamonds). However, one needs to consider tone (how dark or light the color is) too. If the fancy yellow diamond is very dark, it could be considered less valuable than one that’s higher on the fancy grading scale but more light in tone. 

Moreover, many fancy yellow diamonds have different color hues in them, such as orange or green. This doesn’t mean the diamond will be more or less valuable.

All in all, it’s very difficult to assess and price a fancy yellow diamond, especially as the lines between different grades on the scale are very blurred. You may have a Fancy Light yellow diamond on the cusp of being Fancy, so it’s hard to know what grade GIA would consider it.

This is why buying a diamond that’s been graded by the GIA is vital. Then you can be sure of the diamond’s value when discussing the price with a trustworthy jeweler. 

Note: Diamonds with a yellow tinge are not rare. In fact, most diamonds are discolored with yellow, orange, or brown tinges. BUT, fancy yellow diamonds are rare which makes them more valuable. It’s easy to tell the difference between a discolored diamond and a fancy colored diamond, as the beauty of the fancy yellow diamond is very noticeable. What’s hard is determining where a fancy diamond rests on the fancy diamond color grading scale.

Yellow Diamond Origins & Properties

At this point, we’ve probably indirectly answered the question “are yellow diamonds natural?” But just to be clear, yes, they are very natural.

A Yellow Diamond occurs by the presence of nitrogen in the diamond’s composition. Nitrogen molecules absorb blue light, which is what gives the diamond a yellow shade. So, depending on how much nitrogen is in the composition, a diamond can be light to dark yellow. 

Regarding hardness, yellow diamonds have similar physical properties as white diamonds. So, for the Moh’s hardness rating, they are a 10. Plus, they are highly light refractive, which is why they have stunning brilliance and fire like white diamonds. 

Where Do Yellow Diamonds Come From?

Yellow diamonds are most commonly found in Angola, Brazil, Borneo, Central Africa, South Africa, Congo, and Sierra Leone.

Yellow Diamond Meaning – What do yellow diamonds mean?

The concept of asking someone to marry you by presenting them with a diamond engagement ring dates all the way back to the Roman days…possibly even sooner. However, it was only something that Royalty and elite members of society could afford. 

It wasn’t until the 1930s that diamond engagement rings really caught on… Now, of course, it is a global tradition. 

Diamonds represent “forever” in a relationship, as they won’t wear down or break. They are also rare, just like the love of your life. This romantic interpretation has solidified diamonds as the gift that constitutes love. 

This can be said for all diamonds, but diamonds of unique colors also have additional unique meanings.

Yellow diamonds are said to symbolize knowledge, intellect and wisdom. They give off the feeling of being uplifting, illuminating and fun. These are all great characteristics for a couple planning on spending their life together.

Fancy Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring Price

There are a few key factors that will determine the cost of a yellow diamond engagement ring, all of which we are about to go over without bombarding you with too much information.

This will at least help you know where you need to do further research so you can estimate how much a yellow diamond ring will cost you.

1. Fancy Yellow Diamond Grade

One of the main costs is going to be the centerpiece diamond. We’ve already went over how loose diamonds are priced, so that should give you a good idea what to look for.

The things you need to consider are the 4 Cs and the fancy grade of color of your yellow diamond. 

How much is a 1 carat yellow diamond worth?

To simplify things so you can get a general cost, a Fancy Light Yellow Diamond is going to run about the same price as an I color white diamond. So for a 1 carat Fancy Light yellow diamond with VS2 clarity, you are looking at around $4,000-4,500. As the color intensity goes up, so does the cost (for the most part). Remember, though, a 2 carat diamond is not going to be as simple as “it’s double the price of a 1 carat diamond” because larger diamonds are much rarer.

2. Ring Material

The next thing you need to consider is the price of the precious metal you choose. Platinum will be the most expensive, then 18K and 14K gold, respectively. Then you also have to take into to account how many grams your ring weighs. That’s how these precious metals are priced, by grams. You can easily find Gold and Platinum market value at any given time with a simple Google search.

3. Additional Stones

If you are planning to get additional stones, such as a halo setting, three-stone setting or a pave diamond band, then you need to assess the value of the accent diamonds as well. The most common accent stones for a yellow diamond centerpiece are white diamonds and yellow diamonds. If you are buying a semi-mounted engagement ring, the price will be included, but if you are planning on customizing a ring, these stones will be calculated by total carats, and there is also a fee the jeweler charges for setting the diamonds. 

4. Custom-made vs Existing

If you are buying an existing semi-mount engagement ring, the total cost will be simple – the loose diamond plus the semi-mount engagement ring you choose. However, if you are making a new ring from scratch, you will need to factor in the labor cost, the complexity of the ring, all the stones, and precious metals. 

Overall, you can buy a fancy diamond engagement ring for as little as a few thousand dollars all the way up to a hundred thousand dollars or more. 

The best way to go about it is to determine a budget, then work with a trusted jeweler to get the perfect ring for you that doesn’t exceed your budget. 

Best Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring Designs & Settings

First, let’s talk about diamonds shapes…

Can I get a round-shaped yellow diamond?

Although round diamonds are the most popular diamond shape for white diamonds, it is not a diamond shape used for yellow diamonds. This is because yellow diamonds show more beauty when cut in shapes other than round. Fancy yellow diamonds will most often be cut in fancy diamond shapes, such as oval, pear, marquise or heart. They are also commonly made in square or rectangular shapes like princess, radiant, emerald and cushion-cut. 

We personally love oval, pear and rectangular shapes when it comes to fancy yellow diamonds, which you can see by looking at the pictures featured in this guide. 

Popular Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring Settings

The most popular fancy yellow diamond engagement ring settings are halo, pave, and side-stone settings.

Halo settings will make the size of your diamond engagement ring look bigger, especially if you choose a double halo setting. Another reason a halo is popular is because when you use white accent diamonds with a yellow diamond centerpiece, the yellow diamond really pops with wonderful contrast.

Pave setting bands give the whole ring more sparkle. It’s a great way to take the beauty of the entire engagement ring up a few notches. Pave settings go great with halo and prong settings too.

Side stone settings are classic and offer a very sophisticated look. The side stones are bigger than accent diamonds found on halo settings. They can be round brilliant white diamonds, triangle diamonds, baguettes or any other diamond that suits your style. One of our favorite styles is a rectangular fancy yellow diamond centerpiece with triangular white diamonds on the sides. It has that geometric look which is very “Art Deco”.

Accent Diamonds – White vs Yellow?

Both white diamonds and yellow accent diamonds can make for a stunning look. A yellow gold band paired with all yellow diamonds creates a harmonious look, while a white metal with white accent diamonds makes for incredibly beautiful contrast between the yellow centerstone and the rest of the ring.

Precious Metals for Yellow Diamond Engagement Rings

White gold, Platinum, and Yellow gold are the most popular options. While rose gold can also create a nice contrast. 

In any case, the color of the metal you choose will change the appearance of your ring greatly as diamonds are highly reflective. The diamond’s facets are like tiny mirrors that reflect their surrounding, which includes the metal of the ring and the prongs holding the diamonds. So, the type of precious metal you choose will be an important determining factor in the overall appearance of your fancy yellow engagement ring. 

Want some Fancy Yellow Diamond Engagement Rings Inspiration?

Here are a few of our favorites from our collection at Diamonds By Raymond Lee and Raymond Lee Jewelers…

Shop Fancy Yellow Diamonds at Diamonds By Raymond Lee

Shop Fancy Yellow Diamonds at Raymond Lee Jewelers

About Us – Diamonds By Raymond Lee & Raymond Lee Jewelers

Diamonds by Raymond Lee and Raymond Lee Jewelers has been serving Boca Raton and South Florida’s insatiable need for diamonds for over 30 years. Our team of diamond advisers dedicates themselves to assisting you in selecting the perfect engagement ring. We aim to provide unparalleled customer support and satisfaction. Our A+ BBB rating can vouch for this.

We are South Florida’s best engagement ring retailer since 2016.

Our vision has always been to forge a unique, professional, and intimate vibe. We provide a shopping experience that works for all generations. We especially know what the modern jewelry buyer wants; and we keep traditions that never fade intact, such as sensibility, artistry, and craftsmanship.

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Friday 10AM – 6PM
Saturday 10AM – 5PM
Closed Sunday
Phone: 561-750-7808

West Boca Location: 22191 Powerline Road #12b  – Boca Raton, FL 33433

East Boca Location: 2801 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 33431

If you have any questions for us about Fancy Yellow Diamond Engagement Rings, please contact us.