Only those yellow diamonds with a deep, beautiful color are given special recognition
and called "fancy" yellow.
There are said to be more than 20 polished fancy yellow diamonds in existence that weigh over 100 carats. Most of these were mined in South Africa. India and Brazil were the main sources of diamonds for many years before the discovery of diamonds in South Africa in 1866, but they produced few yellow diamonds.
There were many yellow diamonds among those mined in Cape Province of South Africa, and diamond dealers therefore refer to yellowish diamonds as "cape." South African production saturated the market with yellowish diamonds, resulting in much lower prices. Among these, only those with a deep and beautiful color are given special recognition and called "fancy" yellow diamonds.
The marquise-cut fancy yellow diamond as shown in the photograph on the next page has a lemon color and a beauty that seems to overflow from the stone. This is a so-called "canary" fancy yellow diamond. Both the brilliance and the balance of the mosaic pattern in this gemstone are exceptional, and its perfectly balanced outline gives an impression of refinement. Compared to colorless diamonds of similar size and shape, this particular gemstone is by far more beautiful. A fancy yellow diamond as beautiful as this one is rarely encountered. Since each gemstone is unique, it is important to compare them individually and determine which is more beautiful. As with any colored gemstone, the beauty of a fancy-colored diamond is determined primarily by its color, then by the balance of its transparency, brilliance, scintillation, and overall appearance.
Notably, fancy-colored diamonds are not often fashioned as round brilliant cuts. In order to take full advantage of the rough material and produce a deep, beautiful color when viewed face-up, the cutter considers each fancy-colored diamond carefully and polishes them into various shapes.
Ring, platinum
Fancy Yellow Diamond 14pc
Untreated
Diamond 13pc
US $8,000
Name of Mineral : Diamond
Mohs Hardness :10
Refractive Index : 2.417
Specific Gravity : 3.52
Weight : 6.11 ct
Size (mm) : L 13.9 x W 10.5 x D 6.71
Untreated
Gem Quality
THE QUALITY SCALE AND GIA'S FANCY-COLOR NOMENCLATURE
A fancy-colored diamond's quality is judged by its overall beauty and the tone of its color, as seen when the stone is viewed from above (face-up).
Color descriptions made by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) are based on the Munsell color system. According to the GIA system, "fancy blue" and "fancy pink" diamonds are those with tones above tone level 2+ (which roughly compares to GIA's diamond color grades S to Z). However, since yellow diamonds are more common than blue or pink diamonds, yellow diamonds of tone level 2+ are simply called "light yellow," and stones with tones darker than level 3 are designated "fancy." Diamonds that have had their colors artificially altered are not assigned a color grade.
The charts below show the results of assigning GIA's fancy-colored diamond grades to the Quality Scale.
Fancy Blue Diamonds
The left-hand chart below shows the quality scale for fancy blue diamonds, using GIA terms. (An asterisk [*] designates the GIA fancy-color grade assigned to the various diamonds.) Generally, beauty grade S corresponds to "Blue," B to "Gray-Blue," and D to "Gray."
Fancy Yellow Diamonds
The right-hand chart below shows the quality scale for fancy yellow diamonds from the next page, with GIA terms inserted. Since three small diamonds are used in each space, think of them as a general reference. Even a "fancy vivid yellow" stone in 3+-B may suffer in beauty if it has low transparency or if it is slightly brownish as shown in spaces 3-B or 3-C. GIA's fancy color grades use the terms "Fancy Vivid," "Fancy Intense," "Fancy Deep," "Fancy Dark," "Fancy," "Fancy Light," "Light," "Very Light," or "Faint," based on a combination of tone and saturation. These do not necessarily correspond to beauty, because beauty is also influenced by transparency and hue.
JUDGING QUALITY
As can be said of all fancy-colored diamonds, a fancy yellow diamond is enjoyed for the overall color that its transparent and brilliant mosaic pattern creates, as well as its scintillation. There is no need to be overly concerned with imperfections as long as they do not detract from beauty or present durability problems. Although synthetic or color-treated stones may possess the enviable combination of fine color and freedom from imperfections, it is prudent to assume that such conditions are rarely encountered in the fancy-colored diamonds created by nature.
QUALITY SCALE
FANCY YELLOW DIAMONDS
Untreated
HOW TO CHOOSE
Even with a deep color, fancy yellow diamonds showing a strong brownish tint will lack beauty, making them ill-suited for jewelry. Light and beautiful yellows can sometimes be had at relatively low prices. It is essential that the color be distinct when the stone is viewed face-up. A fancy-color grading report should be thought of as proof of natural color, but it is important not to depend on the color terms: View stones with your own eyes, and select the one that satisfies you.
The value of a one-carat-size fancy yellow diamond of jewelry quality is approximately US $9,000 for the stone alone. (2001)
A GEM OF VALUE
Weight:0.55ct
Size(mm):L6.2 x W4.3 x D2.76
Untreated
Gem Quality
US $6,000
The 3 quality zones as they appear in the quality scale
Quantity distribution of gems that are polished to 1-carat size
