Yellow Diamonds — A Little Sunshine in the World of Fine Jewellery                                     By Jonathan.                            

There is something rather cheerful about a yellow diamond. Perhaps it is the association with sunshine, perhaps it is the warmth of the colour, or perhaps it is simply that we spend so much of our time looking at white diamonds that a little colour comes as a very welcome surprise.

For generations, much of the diamond world has been concerned with finding stones with as little colour as possible. The famous diamond colour grading scale runs from D, representing colourless, through to Z, where a noticeable yellow or brown tint becomes increasingly apparent. In this world, less colour generally means a higher grade.

But what happens when yellow is precisely what we are looking for?

Welcome to the rather wonderful world of natural fancy colour diamonds.

Where does the yellow come from?

Yellow diamonds owe their colour to the presence of nitrogen within their crystal structure. These tiny traces of nitrogen affect the way the diamond absorbs light, allowing the yellow colour to show through.

It is rather remarkable to think that something so small, deep within the structure of a diamond, can create such a noticeable difference to its appearance. Nature, as ever, has a rather good eye for design.

The strength of the colour can vary enormously, from delicate pale yellows through to rich, intense golden shades. Fancy colour diamonds are graded according to the strength and character of their colour, with descriptions including Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense and Fancy Vivid.

And, unlike the traditional colour scale, where yellow is generally something to avoid, with fancy yellow diamonds it is very much something to celebrate.

A little colour makes a big difference

One of the things I particularly enjoy about yellow diamonds is how beautifully they work alongside white diamonds.

The contrast can be wonderfully subtle, with a soft yellow centre surrounded by bright white stones, or much more pronounced with stronger golden colours. Either way, the combination has a warmth and character that is quite different from an entirely white diamond jewel.

We have a particularly lovely example in our Natural Fancy Light Yellow Diamond Cluster Ring.

The centre stone is a natural fancy light yellow cushion-shaped diamond weighing 2.01 carats, with VVS clarity and accompanied by a GIA certificate. Around it, and continuing along the shoulders, are alternating brilliant-cut and oval white diamonds.

The setting combines platinum with 18 carat yellow gold, following the outline of the diamond surround to create a wonderfully soft, undulating shape.

It is a lovely illustration of how a little colour, combined with thoughtful design and excellent craftsmanship, can make a ring quite extraordinary.

Not all yellow diamonds need to be the star of the show

Sometimes the most interesting use of coloured diamonds is not to give them the entire stage, but to let them play their part in a rather attractive ensemble.

Our all-diamond half-hoop ring is a good example. It features three remarkably vibrant natural fancy colour diamonds: one intense yellow, one pink and one golden diamond, with a combined weight of 1.27 carats.

These are interspersed with two exceptionally white diamonds, with all five stones surrounded by a further fifty brilliant-cut diamonds.

It is an entirely platinum ring, compact and wonderfully wearable, but certainly not short of personality.

I rather like the idea that it manages to be both sophisticated and a little unconventional. After all, there is no particular reason why diamonds should always be white, any more than there is a reason why socks should always match.

A different shape, a different personality

Yellow diamonds also lend themselves beautifully to more unusual cuts.

Our Navette Fancy Yellow and White Diamond Cluster Pendant features a natural fancy light yellow diamond,1.12cts. The elongated navette shape (sometimes called a marquise) gives the stone a lovely sense of movement, while a double row of tiny brilliant-cut white diamonds emphasises its elegant outline.

The pendant is made in 18 carat yellow gold, with a specially made chain incorporating further navette and brilliant-cut diamonds.

It is a particularly graceful design, and one that works wonderfully with a V neckline. The beauty of a navette cut is that it draws the eye along its length, making it a rather elegant way of wearing a coloured diamond.

Yellow diamonds in rather good company

Of course, yellow diamonds don't have to be paired with white diamonds alone.

We also have a wonderful pair of drop earrings combining rare Mandarin Garnets with natural yellow and white diamonds.

The Mandarin Garnets are a fabulous fiery orange colour, and the little yellow diamonds complement them beautifully. With the addition of exceptional white diamonds, the combination has a tremendous warmth and vibrancy.

It is a lovely reminder that coloured gemstones can work together in ways that are sometimes much more interesting than simply choosing one colour and sticking to it.

The garnets themselves weigh 4.29cts in total. Set in 18 carat yellow gold and platinum, the earrings are finished with our diamond-set, blissfully comfortable hooks.

And I can confirm that comfortable earrings are a very important consideration. There is little point in owning something spectacular if you spend the evening wishing you could take it off!

A diamond with a sunny disposition

Yellow diamonds have a character all of their own. They can be delicate and understated, rich and golden, or wonderfully vibrant. They can take centre stage or add an unexpected flash of colour to a more traditional diamond design.

What I particularly enjoy is that they offer something a little different without losing any of the qualities that make diamonds so appealing in the first place: their brilliance, their fire and their extraordinary durability.

At Cousins, we have always enjoyed jewellery that combines beautiful materials with individuality, craftsmanship and a little imagination. Yellow diamonds fit that philosophy rather well.

So, if you have always thought of diamonds as being white, perhaps it is time to look at things in a slightly different light.

A little sunshine, after all, is rarely a bad thing.