16 May Yellow Diamond Engagement Rings: A Complete Guide
Yellow diamonds are once again popular among San Diego’s future brides. These beautiful stones offer a striking alternative to traditional white diamonds. In this buyer’s guide from C. Blackburn Jewelers, we’ll explore everything you need to know about yellow diamond engagement rings.
From understanding the different shades and intensities of yellow diamonds to learning about their quality factors and price, this guide will help you decide if a custom diamond engagement ring set with a yellow diamond is the right choice for you.
Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla is owned and operated by La Jolla jewelry designer Carl Blackburn. Carl is a jewelry industry veteran for over three decades, who has helped hundreds of couples turn their dream ring into reality.
From yellow diamond and pink diamond engagement rings to brilliant white diamond and precious sapphire engagement rings, Carl welcomes the opportunity to work with you to create the perfect custom engagement ring that matches your budget.
Give Carl a call at 858-251-3006 to set up an appointment to discuss the making of a custom engagement ring in San Diego.
The History of Yellow Diamonds
Yellow diamonds have a rich history that spans centuries. They were first discovered in India and were highly prized by royalty and aristocrats — as they were believed to possess mystical powers and often were used as talismans to ward off evil spirits. Yellow diamonds gained further popularity during the 19th century when they were discovered in South Africa, leading to an increase in their availability.
However, it wasn’t until the late 20th century that yellow diamonds truly captured the attention of the jewelry world. The famous Tiffany Yellow Diamond, a 128.54-carat canary yellow diamond, showcased the beauty and allure of yellow diamonds to the world. Since then, yellow diamonds have become increasingly sought after, with stunning examples periodically seen in the world of celebrity engagement rings.
Different Shades of Yellow Diamonds
Yellow diamonds come in a range of shades, from light yellow to intense fancy yellow. The intensity of the yellow hue is determined by the presence of nitrogen in the diamond’s crystal structure. The more nitrogen present, the stronger the yellow color.
Light yellow diamonds have a subtle and delicate hue, while intense fancy yellow diamonds have a vibrant and vivid yellow color that is highly prized.
Within the spectrum of yellow diamonds, there are also a few rare and exceptional colors. These include canary yellow, which is a bright and vivid yellow; golden yellow, which has a rich and warm hue; and lemon yellow, which has a lighter and more citrusy tone.
Each shade of yellow diamond offers its own unique charm and appeal, allowing you to find the perfect color that resonates with your personal style.
Understanding the 4Cs of Yellow Diamonds
When purchasing a yellow diamond engagement ring, you want to be familiar with the 4Cs: color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. These factors determine the quality and value of the diamond and will help you make an informed decision.
Color: As mentioned earlier, the color of yellow diamonds is graded on a spectrum of light yellow to intense fancy yellow. The more intense and saturated the yellow color, the more valuable the diamond. It’s important to choose a color that appeals to your personal taste and complements your skin tone.
Cut: The cut of a diamond refers to its proportions and how well it reflects light. A well-cut yellow diamond will maximize its brilliance and sparkle. The most popular cut for yellow diamonds is the radiant cut, which combines the elegance of a round cut with the brilliance of a princess cut. Other popular cuts include cushion, pear, and oval, each offering its own unique appeal.
Clarity: Clarity refers to the presence of internal and external flaws, known as inclusions and blemishes, respectively. Yellow diamonds tend to have a higher level of clarity than white diamonds, as the yellow color can mask imperfections. Look for a diamond with a clarity grade of VS2 or higher, as this ensures that any inclusions or blemishes are not visible to the naked eye.
Carat Weight: Carat weight refers to the size of the diamond and is often a significant factor in determining its value. Yellow diamonds are available in a range of carat weights, allowing you to choose a size that suits your budget and desired appearance. Keep in mind that larger yellow diamonds tend to be rarer and more valuable.
By considering the 4Cs when selecting a yellow diamond engagement ring, you can ensure that you find a diamond of exceptional quality and beauty.
Popular Yellow Diamond Cuts for Engagement Rings
The cut of a yellow diamond plays a crucial role in its overall appearance and brilliance. Different cuts can enhance the color and sparkle of the diamond, allowing you to create a truly captivating engagement ring. Here are some popular yellow diamond cuts to consider:
Radiant Cut: As mentioned, the radiant cut is a popular one for yellow diamonds. It’s a rectangular or square-shaped cut with trimmed corners. The radiant cut maximizes the diamond’s color and sparkle, creating a stunning display of light.
Cushion Cut: The cushion cut is a classic and timeless choice for yellow diamonds. It has a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners, resembling a pillow or cushion. The cushion cut showcases the diamond’s color beautifully, giving it a soft and romantic appeal.
Pear Cut: The pear cut is a teardrop-shaped cut that combines the elegance of a round cut with the uniqueness of a marquise cut. It is a popular choice for those seeking a more unconventional and eye-catching engagement ring. The pear cut yellow diamond creates a sense of movement and elongates the finger, making it a visually striking choice.
Oval Cut: The oval cut is a popular choice for yellow diamonds due to its elongated shape and brilliant sparkle. It has a similar appearance to the round cut but offers a more unique and modern look. The oval cut yellow diamond reflects light beautifully, creating a dazzling and radiant effect.
Each cut brings its own unique charm and personality to a yellow diamond engagement ring. Consider your personal style and preferences when choosing the perfect cut for your custom engagement ring in San Diego.
Setting Options for Yellow Diamond Engagement Rings
The setting of a yellow diamond engagement ring is just as important as the diamond itself. It enhances the overall appearance and showcases the beauty of the yellow diamond. Here are some popular setting options for yellow diamond engagement rings:
Solitaire Setting: The solitaire setting is a classic and timeless choice that showcases the yellow diamond as the centerpiece. It features a single yellow diamond held in place by four or six prongs, allowing maximum light to enter the stone. The simplicity of the solitaire setting accentuates the brilliance and color of the diamond, creating a stunning and elegant look.
Halo Setting: The halo setting is a popular choice for yellow diamond engagement rings as it adds extra sparkle and enhances the yellow color. It features a circle of smaller white diamonds, often surrounding the center yellow diamond, creating a halo effect. The white diamonds in the halo setting create a striking contrast against the yellow diamond, making it appear even more vibrant and radiant.
Three-Stone Setting: The three-stone setting is a symbolic choice for an engagement ring as it represents the past, present, and future of a relationship. It typically features a larger yellow diamond in the center, flanked by two smaller white diamonds. The combination of yellow and white diamonds in the three-stone setting creates a visually stunning and balanced look.
Vintage Setting: If you’re a fan of vintage-inspired designs, a vintage setting can be the perfect choice for your yellow diamond engagement ring. Vintage settings often feature intricate details, filigree work, and milgrain edges, adding a touch of old-world charm to the ring. The vintage setting allows you to create a truly unique and timeless piece of jewelry. And it is one that we specialize in at C. Blackburn Jewelers.
Yellow Diamond vs. Traditional White Diamond Engagement Rings
Yellow diamond engagement rings offer a unique alternative to traditional white diamond rings. While white diamonds are undoubtedly timeless and classic, yellow diamonds bring a vibrant and eye-catching element to an engagement ring. Here are some factors to consider when deciding between yellow and white diamond engagement rings:
Rarity and Uniqueness: Yellow diamonds are rarer than white diamonds, making them a unique choice for an engagement ring. Their vibrant yellow color stands out and makes a bold statement. If you’re looking for a ring that sets you apart from the crowd and showcases your individuality, a yellow diamond engagement ring is an excellent choice.
Color and Personality: Yellow diamonds exude warmth, happiness, and energy, making them a perfect symbol of love and commitment. The yellow hue adds a touch of personality and character to an engagement ring, reflecting the wearer’s vibrant and joyful nature. White diamonds, on the other hand, have a classic and timeless appeal that suits those who prefer a more traditional and understated look.
Versatility and Customization: Yellow diamonds offer a range of shades and intensities, allowing for a high degree of customization. Whether you prefer a light yellow diamond for a delicate and subtle look or an intense fancy yellow diamond for a bold and captivating statement, yellow diamonds can be tailored to suit your preferences. White diamonds, while beautiful, have a limited range of desirable color options.
Price (Natural vs. Lab Grown): The most desirable yellow diamonds are more expensive than white diamonds — with (fancy) canary yellow diamonds costing around $10,000 a carat. However, at C. Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla, we have begun setting custom engagement rings with lab-grown fancy yellow diamonds for only about $2,500 a carat.
These lab-grown yellow diamonds are physically identical to earth-mined diamonds, providing all the beauty and hardness of a natural diamond, but at a fraction of the price —which makes the creation of a custom engagement ring affordable to most everyone in San Diego.
Ultimately, the choice between yellow and white diamond engagement rings comes down to personal preference and the statement you want to make. Both options are beautiful in their own right, and it’s important to choose a ring that resonates with your style and personality.
Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring Trends
Yellow diamond engagement rings are a popular choice among San Diego couples who are looking for ring that is bold and eye catching. As with any type of jewelry, yellow diamond engagement ring trends evolve over time. Here are some current trends to keep in mind when choosing a yellow diamond engagement ring:
Colored Accent Diamonds: Yellow diamonds can be beautifully complemented by colored accent gemstones. Consider incorporating accent stones, such as pink or blue sapphires, into the setting of your yellow diamond engagement ring. This adds an extra layer of visual interest and creates a truly one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.
Mixed Metal Settings: Mixing different metals in the setting of a yellow diamond engagement ring is a trend that has gained popularity in recent years. Combining yellow gold, rose gold, and white gold or platinum creates a unique and modern look. The contrast between the metals adds dimension and enhances the beauty of the yellow diamond.
Unique Halo Designs: Halo settings are a popular choice for yellow diamond engagement rings, and designers are constantly pushing the boundaries with creative and unique halo designs. Consider opting for a halo setting that features intricate detailing, geometric shapes, or asymmetrical designs — or a hidden halo design. These innovative halo settings add a contemporary and personalized touch to a yellow diamond engagement ring.
Vintage Settings: Vintage-inspired designs are timeless and continue to be a trend in the world of yellow diamond engagement rings. Pairing a fancy yellow diamond with a vintage-style setting creates a stunning combination of old-world charm and vibrant color.
Famous Celebrity Engagement Rings with Yellow Diamonds
Yellow diamond engagement rings have captivated not only regular couples but also numerous celebrities. These rings have graced the fingers of some of the most well-known individuals in the entertainment industry. Here are a few of the most famous:
Beyoncé: Known for her bold and glamorous style, Beyoncé’s engagement ring from Jay-Z features an 18-carat emerald-cut yellow diamond set in a split-shank band that perfectly complements Beyoncé’s vibrant personality.
Heidi Klum: Heidi Klum’s engagement ring from Seal featured a stunning 10 carat canary yellow diamond surrounded by smaller white diamonds. The ring was set with a large yellow diamond center stone surrounded by smaller white diamonds, and fashioned in a classic yellow gold band.
Carrie Underwood: Carrie Underwood’s engagement ring from Mike Fisher features a 5 carat yellow diamond surrounded by a halo of white diamonds, set in a delicate white gold band. It was designed by Beverly Hills jewelry designer Jonathan Arndt.
Jessica Simpson: Actress and singer Jessica Simpson received a yellow diamond engagement ring from former NFL player Eric Johnson. The ring features a large oval-cut yellow diamond surrounded by smaller white diamonds, set in a platinum band.
Custom Yellow Diamond Engagement Rings
If you would like to create a custom engagement ring set with an earth-mined or lab-grown yellow diamond, contact Carl Blackburn at C. Blackburn Jewelers today. Carl sources natural yellow diamonds from dealers around the world and from his regular estate jewelry purchases — making him one of the best places in California to buy a natural yellow diamond.
He also welcomes working with lab-grown yellow diamonds, in creating not only custom engagement rings but beautiful bridal jewelry at a very affordable cost.
Get started by arranging a relaxed meeting to discuss with Carl the making of a custom ring or fine jewelry. He welcomes the opportunity to answer all of your questions and get to know you better.
If you would like show him photos of engagement ring ideas you have saved to your phone, he’ll gladly look at those too and talk about all of the possibilities.
Leave Carl a voicemail at 858-251-3006 or send him an email via the contact form below.
