Fancy Colored Diamonds

Jul 27, 2023

Why Fancy Diamonds ROCK

author photo

LISA

Have you been considering a colorful stone for your engagement ring and/or wedding band? With several stone options out there that offer many color varieties, the choices seem endless. However, when other stones get compared against a Fancy Colored Diamond, the benefits of going with a diamond start to vastly outweigh any other stone choice. Let's start with the most obvious advantage the diamond has over other gemstones; the longevity and durability of the diamond.
color enhanced diamonds
Most are aware that a diamond tops the Moh's Scale of Hardness at 10 (10 being the hardest grade and 1, which is Talc, being the softest). It is the hardest natural mineral found on the planet! What does this mean for you and your piece of jewelry? It means your diamond will stand the test of time and wear. Years and years down the road, you can be confident it will look the same as the day you received it.

Moh's Scale

So, how hard is a diamond? Let's compare it's hardness with the next mineral on Moh's Scale - Corundum. Corundum is a rock-forming mineral where you would find a sapphire or ruby. Although sapphires and rubies sit at the number 9 spot on the scale, that is not to say they are "one less hardness" on the scale. The scale is relative with diamond as the "absolute hardness" of 1600. Sapphires and rubies max out at a hardness of 400. This means that although they are one step below diamond on the Moh's Scale, diamonds are 4X harder than any sapphire or ruby. So, with a diamond, you will get at least 4X the strength and longevity than ANY other gemstone.

Moh's Scale of Hardness
This extreme hardness comes in handy, especially in regard to an engagement ring or wedding band. Engagement rings and wedding bands are unique, not only in their symbolism, but in their wear as well. It is unlikely a man or woman will wear any piece of jewelry as often or as long as their engagement ring or wedding bands. They are meant to be worn every day, for the rest of your life. That is a lot to ask of ANY piece of jewelry and requires a certain amount of maintenance and care on the owners part. However, the stone(s) must stand the test of time as well. With the diamond, it will endure almost anything your throw at it and still sparkle in the end. So if you lead an active, fast-paced life, the diamond may be the best option for you simply based on its ability to keep up with you...and whomever you pass it on to. 
 

Rarity

The next perk of the Fancy Colored Diamond is it's rarity. A naturally occurring colored diamond is absolutely unique in its own right. Only about 1 in every 10,000 earth-mined diamonds is classified as a natural fancy color diamond. Natural Fancy Colored Diamonds derive their hue from unique geological conditions during formation—such as the presence of boron in the crystal lattice in the case of natural blue diamonds. Natural Fancy Colored Diamonds are exceptionally rare and command higher prices due to their authenticity and scarcity. Depending on the size, many are considered "investment-grade diamonds." Because of their scarcity, only high-end, professional gemstone cutters are typically entrusted to hand-cut them. Their goal is to find the perfect cut that will enhance the color and maximize the carat weight. This can often take a significant amount of time with the planning, blocking, faceting, etc. In the end, however, you can be assured the cut is as perfect as possible.
Blue diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Green Diamond engagement ring
 
If the price of a Natural Fancy Colored Diamond gives you pause, color-enhanced diamonds are an affordable and compelling solution. Color Enhanced Diamonds are natural diamonds that undergo a high pressure/high temperature process to alter their color or clarity. They are real diamonds, however because the diamond has been enhanced, they are not "investment-grade diamonds." The high pressure/high temperature treatment can transform a diamond into a vivid blue, green, pink, or yellow, and enhance the stone's clarity to improve its refractive qualities. Visually, you cannot tell the difference between a natural fancy colored diamond and a color-enhanced diamond just by looking at them. Even trained gemologists can't always detect the difference, however, your wallet can. Natural fancy colored diamonds are exponentially rarer and more expensive. Color-enhanced diamonds are much more affordable than their naturally occurring counterparts and have excellent aesthetic appeal.
 
 

Variety

Variety is the final advantage of the Fancy Colored Diamond. Although they are rare, that is not to say you have to limit your color or cut choice. Fancy diamonds are available in a broad spectrum of colors, vividness, sizes, and cuts. Most colors cannot be replicated with any other gemstone. Pinks, greens, yellows, and blues are the most popular, but fancy diamonds include favored champagne and black diamonds as well. The rarest (and priciest) colors are red, blue, green, orange and pink.

The diamonds are not only categorized by their color but by the strength of that color as well. So if you would like a pink diamond, you can decide how pink. From a pale, light pink to a more intense, vivid pink. The paler colors are less saturated and tend to be more affordable than vivid-colored diamonds.
Vivid Pink Diamond
Vivid Pink Diamond
Pale Pink Diamond Engagement Ring
Pale Pink Diamond

The setting you choose can also enhance or soften the appearance of the pink. A perfect example is the vintage halo ring design featured here, where a vivid pink center diamond is surrounded by a scalloped halo of white diamonds. The contrast not only amplifies the pink’s color, but also lends the ring a timeless, heirloom quality. The milgrain-like texture and petal-style prongs evoke antique craftsmanship, while the polished band keeps the look clean and modern.

By contrast, the pale pink diamond nestled between sculpted leaves in a nature-inspired twist setting, creating an organic, earthy elegance. The soft blush of the stone harmonizes with the flowing, tree-like band—making it an ideal choice for those who want a subtle hint of color paired with a deeply symbolic, nature-rooted design.

Pairing your chosen diamond with the right design can elevate the entire piece. It’s about more than just the gem; it’s about how the color interacts with form, metal, and light to create a ring that reflects your personal style.

Mixed Color Diamond

Fancy Colored Diamonds don’t always come in pure, singular hues—many exhibit beautifully blended tones, resulting in colors like bluish-green, purplish-pink, or orangey-champagne. These mixed hues occur naturally and can be just as rare and valuable as their single-hue counterparts. In fact, they offer an even broader palette for those seeking a truly distinctive stone. 
This variation of the Mokume Falling Water Engagement Ring pictured below features a beautiful 1.12ct cushion cut Orangey-Champagne Fancy Colored Diamond, whose complex tone adds warmth and uniqueness to the ring design. Blended-color diamonds open the door to highly personalized expressions of style and individuality—perfect for a ring that’s anything but ordinary. Mixed color diamonds, while rare and valuable, allow for more diverse color options.

With all these unique advantages, it is easy to see why Fancy Colored Diamonds are rising in popularity, especially in engagement rings and wedding bands. Yet, due to their rarity and higher price point, there are very few places, online or in-store, where you can begin your search for one. Krikawa, however, is here to help!
Falling Water Engagement Ring
 
Our team specializes in rare shapes and colors of fancy-colored diamonds and can help you find the diamond of your dreams. A diamond unlike any other. Simply contact one of our designers, give them an idea of what you are looking for (color, cut, budget, etc) and they will begin the search for you. With our abundant resources and knowledge, you can be assured, if your dream diamond is out there, we will find it. You can just sit back and relax.

Or, you can choose from one of our many custom ring designs to enhance and hold your diamond. Most of our designs can be modified and customized to fit any size or shape stone you choose. Or, for a truly one-of-a-kind piece, you can partner with us to design a new ring around your Fancy Colored Diamond.

Whichever you choose, your final ring will be a piece of art unlike ANY other. It will become a small part of you that can be passed on for generations to come and tell a beautiful story about who you are. 

Revised 7/19/2023
 
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