Pink or Yellow Diamonds, Which Fancy Color Diamond Should I Buy?

If you are on the hunt for fancy colored diamond jewelry, you are probably thinking about either yellow or pink diamonds, as these are the two most popular fancy diamond colors. Not only do they make a powerful statement, but they are also incredibly valuable and rare. 

For those who want to learn more about both of these exquisite, highly sought after fancy color diamonds, you’ve come to right place. We are going to go over what you need to know about pink diamonds and yellow diamonds. That way, you can make an informed purchase when you are ready. 

PINK DIAMONDS

Pink diamonds are nothing short of fascinating. The sheer beauty of a pink diamond makes you wonder how a rock so stunningly pink could be real...

What is a Pink Diamond?

A natural pink diamond is a type of diamond with a pink hue. It is categorized as a fancy colored diamond. 

It is one of the rarest colored diamonds that exists, only second to red and blue diamonds, which are the rarest of all colored diamonds. 

While certain areas of the world are known to produce pink diamonds, such as India, South Africa, Brazil, Russia and Canada, the vast, vast majority of the world’s pink diamond supply comes from Western Australia. 

The original discussion refers to the Argyle mine’s closure in 2020. That historical event does not establish a current price trend or guarantee that an individual pink diamond will appreciate.

Pink diamonds were a small part of Argyle’s output. The original article’s inconsistent percentages and per-million figures should not be used as a rarity calculation or a valuation for a particular stone.

Note: Pink diamonds are sourced from a volcanic lamproite pipe rather than a kimberlite pipe like most of the world’s diamonds. Kimberlite and lamproite are two of the deepest sourced igneous volcanic rocks. Both occur in the Earth’s crust in vertical structures known as pipes and sometimes contain diamonds. The difference between the two is kimberlite is produced in low-heat flow regions, whereas lamproites occur in high-heat flow region. Moreover, kimberlite is exclusively found in Archaean cratons, but lamproites are found in terrains of varying age. 

What makes a pink diamond pink?

GIA research links the color of most natural pink diamonds to distortion of their crystal structure, commonly associated with plastic deformation. The exact atomic structure of the color-producing defect is not fully understood; it is inaccurate to say that researchers can only guess whether structural distortion is involved. See GIA’s pink-diamond research.

Color can arise through different mechanisms, and determining whether a stone and its color are natural requires appropriate laboratory analysis. A visible pink or yellow hue alone cannot establish origin or treatment status.

Natural, laboratory-grown and treated-color diamonds need distinct descriptions and price comparisons. Request the report for the actual stone rather than assuming that a color name proves natural origin.

While it would be wonderful to know how pink diamonds get their color, the mystery behind it makes pink diamonds all the more intriguing. It is no doubt one of the most beautiful and most intriguing gemstones on the planet. 

Colors and Intensity Levels of Pink Diamonds 

Not all pink diamonds are created equal in terms of beauty. As such, the value of pink diamonds will vary. 

Firstly, you have color. Most pink diamonds come with a secondary hue (or overtone), such as purple, brown or orange. This is why some pink diamonds are described as purple-pink or orange-pink, with the first color describing the secondary color. The most valuable among pink diamonds are the ones with the most intense and purest colors of pink. Although orangish-pink and purplish-pink are very popular as well. 

Next you have intensity. In terms of intensity, you have grades from Faint, Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep and Fancy Dark. It can be difficult for gemologists to determine a grade because each grade has a range itself. There is not just a simply point along a line with each grade. 

Among the most valuable are Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid, and Fancy Deep. Overall, the richer and more saturated the color, the more expensive the pink diamond will be. 

18k White/Rose Gold GIA 1.01ct Pink Pear Shape Diamond Engagement Ring

YELLOW DIAMONDS

While less rare than pink diamonds, yellow diamonds hold the strongest market demand of all colored diamonds. They are more than just a beautiful diamond of yellow color, they are one of the biggest diamond jewelry statements of the decade. 

What is a Yellow Diamond?

A yellow diamond is a kind of diamond with a yellow hue. However, it is not to be confused with a low quality colorless diamond, which can have a yellow tinge. When we refer to yellow diamonds, we mean a natural diamond with a rich yellow color. These vivid, beautiful yellow diamonds belong to the family of fancy colored diamonds. 

While diamonds with yellow color are very common, as low grade diamonds have a pale yellow color, a diamond with a rich yellow color is quite rare, albeit not as rare as orange, green, pink, blue and red diamonds. 

Fancy yellow diamonds need to be described by the actual stone and its grading report. Broad production percentages do not establish the quality, rarity or value of an individual purchase.

Yellow diamonds, like other colored diamonds, are found all over the world. Any diamond mine can produce a yellow diamond. Yet, they are most commonly found in Australia, Central Africa, Angola, Brazil, Borneo, Sierra Leone, and Congo. 

What makes a yellow diamond yellow?

Diamonds become yellow due to impurities occurring during the formation process. It’s like a fluke of nature. Impurities are common among diamonds. This is why diamonds vary so much in color grades and fancy colored diamonds exist with different color combinations. However, a diamond with the right amount of impurity that leads to a beautiful saturated color is rare. With yellow diamonds, it is the existence of nitrogen molecules that absorb blue light.

Note: The same is true for orange diamonds, but with a different degree of nitrogen and blue light absorption.

Color and Intensity Levels of Yellow Diamonds

Not all yellow diamonds are “fancy” yellow diamonds, and fancy yellow diamonds are what you want as they are rare and valuable. Here’s why…

The diamond color scale (for colorless diamonds) ranges from D to Z. As the color grade gets closer to Z, the less colorless the diamond is and the more yellowish in tone it becomes (like a pale yellow shade). With that, the price decreases as well. So, a Z color diamond, which no one really buys as jewelers won’t even carry them, is like a pale yellow diamond. Again, this is not a fancy yellow diamond, this is a low grade white diamond. 

Now, once you get past Z, at a certain point, if you continue on the color scale, the yellow color doesn’t look like a faded yellow, it starts to become a beautiful yellow hue. This is when the price starts to increase again. 

Once you go past X, Y, Z, you have a new scale, which goes Faint, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Dark, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep, and Fancy Vivid. Needless to say, a yellow diamond becomes “fancy” (and thus the value rises significantly) with Fancy Light. Among the Fancy grades, Fancy Intense and Fancy Vivid are the most valuable and desirable. 

A 1-2 carat Fancy Light and even Fancy yellow diamond will often be about the same price as a G color white diamond, while the Fancy Intense and Fancy Vivid yellow are considerably more expensive than a G color diamond. However, prices change as the carat sizes get bigger, as G color white diamonds of a large carat weight are also very rare. So, a 3-5 carat Fancy Vivid and Fancy Intense yellow will be similar in price to a G color white diamond of the same size.

As for secondary colors, like all other fancy colored diamonds, yellow diamonds can have a secondary hue. The most common color combinations for yellow diamonds are brown-yellow, green-yellow and orange-yellow. The Fancy gradings remain the same no matter the color overtone. 

Color combinations are a complex matter, but to put it simply, the most sought after yellow diamonds are pure yellow diamonds or orange-yellow diamonds. These are the most valuable. Today, we are simply talking about pure fancy yellow diamonds. So, we won’t go into secondary hues any further. 

Now, let’s go over some important comparisons between fancy pink diamonds and fancy yellow diamonds. 

14.33ct Fancy Light Yellow Pear Shaped Diamond Engagement Ring

PINK VS YELLOW DIAMOND - RARITY

Natural pink diamonds are uncommon, but rarity must be considered alongside the individual stone’s color, size, condition and report. The original article’s production percentages are not a basis for predicting price changes.

Fancy yellow diamonds occur in different deposits. Compare the actual color grades and reports instead of applying an unsourced one-in-many production figure to a buying decision.

PINK VS YELLOW DIAMOND - DEMAND & POPULARITY

Yellow diamonds have the highest market demand of any fancy colored diamond. However, among other colored diamonds, pink diamonds are the only one that come close to matching the demand of yellow diamonds.

But here’s the thing, popularity, demand and price don’t necessarily line up. Yellow diamonds have a higher supply and they are priced similarly to white diamonds, which makes them more accessible to the average person. Because of this, yellow diamonds have become extremely popular. With celebrities and influential people around the world (both men and women alike) showing off their yellow diamonds, more and more people want yellow diamond jewelry. Yellow diamonds have become the diamond fashion trend of the 21st century.

A historic mine closure does not establish monthly price growth. Demand and prices vary with the individual diamond and the market at the time; neither color should be treated as a guaranteed investment.

18k White Gold GIA 1.01ct Pink Pearshape Diamond Engagement Ring

PINK VS YELLOW DIAMOND - PRICE

A lot of people ask us if pink diamonds are more expensive than yellow diamonds, and the answer is a resounding yes. Pink diamonds are far more rare. This allows them to be priced at a very high premium.

The original per-carat ranges and fixed price multipliers are not current quotes. Compare the complete report and actual asking price of each stone. A pink diamond is not automatically priced at one fixed multiple of a colorless or yellow diamond.

18k Two Tone GIA Certified 4.05ctw Radiant Diamond Ring

WHERE TO BUY PINK AND YELLOW DIAMOND JEWELRY?

If you are looking to buy fancy pink diamond or yellow diamond jewelry in Boca Raton or South Florida, come to either of our state-of-the-art jewelry showrooms - Diamonds By Raymond Lee in East Boca and Raymond Lee Jewelers in West Boca. We have an exquisite collection of both fancy pink diamond jewelry and yellow diamond jewelry for you to choose from. 

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions before coming in.

See some of our pink diamond jewelry

See some of our yellow diamond jewelry

We have many of our finest pieces in the back. So, if you want to see some more fancy pink diamond and yellow diamond jewelry, just ask us. We will show you our private collection. 

18k Two Tone Gold 9.68ctw White and Multi Shape Pink Diamond Tear Drop Cluster Earrings

Pink vs yellow diamonds: start with the grading report

Compare the actual stones’ color descriptions and grading reports before comparing their prices. Confirm whether the diamond is natural or laboratory-grown and whether its color is natural or treated. Hue, tone, saturation, carat weight, clarity and overall appearance all matter; color alone is not a fixed price multiplier. View both stones in comparable lighting and check how their settings affect the appearance. An older article’s per-carat range is not a quote for a current piece.

Explore current engagement rings. See fancy-color ring design examples. Discuss a colored-diamond design.