Colored Diamonds

Origin

Diamonds occur naturally in virtually every color of the rainbow, including yellow, champagne (gold), pink, and chocolate (brown).  There are three natural ways that can cause a diamond to become colored including: elements replacing carbon atoms within the diamond, structural defects caused by heat and pressure underground, and natural irradiation.  Fink’s does not carry any treated color diamonds, only natural colors.

Performance

Side-by-side,  you'll see that a yellow diamond differs from other yellow stones like yellow sapphire or topaz.  Because it still retains a similar chemical structure to that of a colorless diamond, a yellow diamond offers sparkling light play in rainbow colors.  In a darker the diamond, less scinilation will be visible.

Cut

Colored diamonds are cut for external shape (princess, cushion, emerald) rather than the perfect light performance of a round brilliant shape. 

Color

Yellow diamonds are classified by their shade and intensity, such as Fancy Intense Yellow (FIY), Fancy Vivid Yellow (FVY), Fancy Light Yellow (FLY), Light Yellow (LY). 

Mounting

Often colored diamonds are mounted in a metal which will anhance the color.  Yellow diamonds are typically mounted with yellow gold prongs, even when the rest of the piece is platinum or white gold.  A pink diamond might be mounted with rose gold prongs for the same reason.