The Rainbow of Fancy Colored Diamonds
- Cara Nicolas

Diamonds have long captivated humanity with their brilliance and sparkle, and have become a symbol of love, luxury, and enduring beauty. But beyond the classic, colorless diamond that has become so beloved in the world of jewelry lies a world of vibrant hues – the realm of fancy colored diamonds. These extraordinary gems, with their captivating colors, are not just rare and beautiful; they are also a testament to the incredible forces of nature that create them!
Today, we’re diving into the world fancy colored diamonds, where we can find a breathtaking array of hues that only Mother Nature can conjure.
What Are Fancy Colored Diamonds?
Fancy colored diamonds are exactly what they sound like – diamonds that come in a vibrant spectrum of colors, excluding the faint yellow tinge that can sometimes be found in colorless diamonds. These colors range from pink to blue to canary yellow—the exact shades of which are the result of trace elements like nitrogen, sulphur, or boron that are incorporated into the diamond’s crystal structure during its formation deep within the Earth.
Some of the most sought-after colors include:
- Blue: Ranging from pale blue to deep sapphire blue, blue diamonds are incredibly rare and highly prized. These stones owe their hue to boron impurities within the crystal structure.
- Yellow: From light yellow to intense canary yellow, these sunny diamonds exude a warm glow that is caused by trace amounts of nitrogen within the stone.
- Green: Green diamonds are a rare and mesmerizing sight, often caused by natural irradiation.
- Pink: From delicate rose pink to vibrant fuchsia, pink diamonds are among the most famous and coveted. Unlike other fancy colored diamonds that owe their hue to trace elements, pink diamonds gain their color from a phenomenon called plastic deformation, wherein extreme pressure distorts the diamond’s crystal lattice and causes it to reflect red light.
- Red: Red diamonds are the rarest of all, with only a handful known to exist.
How Rare Are Fancy Colored Diamonds?
The rarity of these colored diamonds is a key factor that contributes to their value. Unlike their colorless counterparts, fancy colored diamonds are formed under even more specific conditions—in fact, only 1 in 10,000 diamonds has a fancy color! It’s understandable, then, that these beauties will command a higher price.
In addition, the intensity, saturation, and uniformity of the color all play a significant role in determining a diamond’s worth.
- Intensity: How strong or weak the color is.
- Saturation: How pure the color is, free from secondary colors.
- Uniformity: How evenly the color is distributed throughout the diamond.
Fancy colored diamonds can fetch astronomical prices, often exceeding their colorless counterparts of similar carat weight.
Purchasing a Fancy Colored Diamond
Like any major jewelry purchase, it’s essential to do your research and work with a certified graduate gemologist when buying a fancy colored diamond. The right expert will work with you to find a stone that fits your budget and lifestyle, and will be able to source different options for you to choose from.
Here are some other tips to keep in mind when searching for a fancy colored diamond for your collection:
- Obtain a Gemological Report: Insist on a report from a reputable laboratory like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the International Gemological Institute (IGI).
- Understand the 4Cs: While color is paramount when purchasing a fancy colored diamond, you should also consider the classic 4Cs of diamond quality: cut, clarity, and carat weight.
- Set a Budget: Fancy colored diamonds can be incredibly expensive—so be prepared to drop a pretty penny. Determining your budget beforehand can help you stay focused.
- Admire the Stone: Ultimately, choose a diamond that you find truly beautiful and captivating!

Famous Fancies
Unsurprisingly, many fancy colored diamonds have been incorporated into royal jewelry or displayed in collections around the world. Some of the most famous fancy colored diamonds include:
- The Hope Diamond: This legendary 45.52ct blue diamond, currently on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, is one of the most famous diamonds in the world. It was originally sold to King Louis XIV of France in 1668, and has since been recut and reset.
- The Pink Star: This stunning pink diamond sold at auction for the staggering price of $71.2 million in 2017, setting a new benchmark for colored diamond values.
- The Graff Pink: This 24.78ct intense pink diamond was once owned by the American jeweler Harry Winston, and is known for its exceptional color and size.
- The Tiffany Yellow Diamond: One of the largest yellow diamonds ever discovered, the Tiffany Yellow Diamond was mined in 1878 and has since been cut into a modified cushion cut, clocking in at a whopping 128.54 ct. It currently lives at the Tiffany & Co. flagship store in Manhattan.
Vivid Treasures
Fancy colored diamonds offer a unique blend of beauty, rarity, and investment potential, making them some of the most captivating gemstones on Earth. Whether you’re simply admiring their mesmerizing colors or considering one for a special occasion, fancy colored diamonds are sure to leave a lasting impression!