Understanding and Choosing Colored Diamonds
We believe every love story deserves a diamond as unique as the person wearing it. While classic white diamonds have timeless appeal, fancy colored diamonds offer something extraordinary — a splash of color that transforms a ring into a personal statement. This guide explains what makes colored diamonds special, how they are graded, and how to choose the one that feels right for you.
1. What Are Fancy Colored Diamonds?
Fancy colored diamonds are diamonds that exhibit a natural color outside the normal D-to-Z range. When a diamond’s color is strong enough to fall outside that scale — whether pink, blue, yellow, green, or any other hue — it is classified as a fancy colored diamond. Unlike white diamonds, which are valued for their absence of color, fancy colored diamonds are prized for the presence of color.
These diamonds are exceptionally rare. Only about 1 in every 10,000 diamonds mined has a fancy color, and just 1 in 25,000 possesses an intense, saturated color. This rarity is what makes them so captivating — and so valuable.
The color in fancy colored diamonds comes from trace elements or structural anomalies trapped inside the diamond during formation. Nitrogen creates yellow and orange diamonds; boron creates blue; natural radiation produces green; and structural lattice defects are responsible for pink and brown. Red diamonds remain somewhat mysterious — GIA has been unable to fully determine their cause, though many believe it is similar to pink.
2. How Fancy Colored Diamonds Are Graded
Fancy colored diamonds use a different grading system than colorless diamonds. Instead of the D-to-Z scale, GIA grades colored diamonds based on three components of color: hue, tone, and saturation.
Hue is the dominant color — for example, pink, blue, or yellow. Many colored diamonds also carry a secondary hue, which appears as a modifier before the main color on the grading report. A pink diamond might be graded “Fancy Intense Purplish Pink,” where “purplish” is the modifier. Whether a modifier helps or hurts value depends on the color — an orangy modifier on an intense yellow can be desirable, while a brownish modifier is generally less so.
Tone describes how light or dark the color appears. Saturation describes how intense or pure the color is. Saturation is the single most influential factor in a colored diamond’s value — the more saturated the color, the rarer and more valuable the diamond.
GIA uses nine descriptive grades for colored diamonds, from lightest to most intense:
Faint
Very Light
Light
Fancy Light
Fancy
Fancy Intense
Fancy Vivid
Fancy Dark
Fancy Deep
In general, Fancy Intense and Fancy Vivid diamonds command the highest premiums because they display the most color. However, tone matters too — a diamond that is extremely dark (Fancy Dark) may be less desirable than a lighter stone graded Fancy Intense.
3. The Rarest Colors
Not all fancy colors are equally rare. Here is how the major colors rank in rarity and value:
Red — The rarest of all. Fewer than 30 true red diamonds have ever been found, and the largest on record is just 5.11 carats. Red diamonds are so rare that they rarely appear on the market at all.
Pink — Extremely rare and highly sought after. The Argyle mine in Australia was the world’s primary source of pink diamonds until it closed in 2020, making new pink diamonds increasingly scarce. Pink diamonds have appreciated by 393.5% since 2005.
Blue — Among the most prized colors. Blue diamonds derive their color from boron and have appreciated by 242.4% since 2005. An exceptional blue diamond can sell for over $1 million per carat at auction.
Green — Rare and typically lighter in tone. Natural radiation during formation gives green diamonds their color, and they are often low in saturation.
Yellow — The most common fancy color, yet still considered rare. Yellow diamonds come in larger sizes than other fancy colors and offer the most accessible entry point into colored diamonds. They have appreciated by 49.3% since 2005.
Orange, Purple, Violet, and Brown — Also found in fancy colored diamonds, with varying degrees of rarity and market demand.
4. How the 4Cs Apply to Colored Diamonds
Color is the most important factor for fancy colored diamonds — far more important than it is for white diamonds. But cut, clarity, and carat weight still matter.
Color — As explained above, hue, tone, and saturation determine value. Buyers should prioritize saturation and avoid stones with unattractive modifiers (such as strong brownish or grayish tones).
Cut — Cutters often shape colored diamonds to maximize color rather than brilliance. A deeper pavilion, for example, can intensify the color that reaches the eye. The best cut is the one that makes the color most attractive face-up.
Clarity — Clarity is secondary to color in fancy colored diamonds. Even diamonds with lower clarity grades can be highly valued if the color is exceptional. However, inclusions that threaten the stone’s durability or visibly detract from its face-up appearance will reduce value.
Carat — Large fancy colored diamonds are exceedingly rare in any color. Diamonds over 10 carats can command millions of dollars per carat. For most buyers, smaller sizes in vivid colors offer the best balance of beauty and value.
5. Lab Grown Fancy Colored Diamonds
LUCERARO specializes in lab grown diamonds, including fancy colored varieties. Lab grown colored diamonds are chemically and optically identical to natural ones — they possess the same crystal structure, hardness, and brilliance. The difference is their origin: they are created in controlled laboratory environments rather than mined from the earth.
Lab grown fancy colored diamonds offer several advantages:
Accessibility — They can be 50–80% less expensive than equivalent natural fancy colored diamonds, opening up colors like pink and blue that would otherwise be out of reach for many buyers.
Consistency — Lab grown colored diamonds can be produced in specific hues and intensities, giving buyers more control over the final appearance.
Certification — Like natural colored diamonds, lab grown colored diamonds can be graded by independent laboratories, ensuring transparency and quality assurance.
6. Choosing Your Fancy Colored Diamond
Here is how to approach your selection:
Start with color. Decide which hue speaks to you — pink, yellow, blue, green, or something more unusual. Then decide on the intensity you prefer. Fancy Vivid offers the boldest color; Fancy Light offers a softer, more subtle look.
Consider the setting. The metal you choose affects how the diamond’s color appears. Yellow gold intensifies yellow diamonds. White gold or platinum provides a neutral backdrop that lets the diamond’s color stand out on its own. Rose gold adds warmth and complements pink and purple hues.
Think about shape. Certain shapes enhance color intensity. Radiant cuts are popular for yellow diamonds because their deeper pavilions concentrate color. Cushion and oval cuts also perform well with colored diamonds.
Prioritize saturation over size. A smaller diamond with vivid saturation will almost always outperform a larger diamond with weak color. Color is the defining characteristic of a fancy colored diamond — do not sacrifice it for carat weight.
Verify certification. Always ensure your colored diamond comes with an independent grading report that documents its color grade, hue, tone, and saturation. This report is your assurance of quality and your guide for comparison.
7. A Note on Treated Colored Diamonds
Some colored diamonds on the market have been treated to alter or enhance their color through processes such as HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) treatment or irradiation. Treated diamonds are generally less valuable than untreated ones, and sellers are legally required to disclose any treatments.
At LUCERARO, we offer lab grown colored diamonds whose color is created during the growth process — not through post-growth treatment. This means the color is inherent to the diamond itself, not an enhancement applied afterward. Every LUCERARO diamond comes with full documentation of its origin and characteristics.
8. Caring for Your Fancy Colored Diamond
Fancy colored diamonds are diamonds — they rank 10 on the Mohs hardness scale and are exceptionally durable. With proper care, their color and brilliance will last a lifetime.
Clean gently with a soft brush and mild soap in warm water. Avoid harsh chemicals, bleach, and abrasive cleaners, which can affect the diamond’s surface over time.
Store separately in a soft pouch or jewelry box to prevent scratches from other jewelry.
Avoid steam or ultrasonic cleaners for colored diamonds unless specifically approved by the manufacturer. Some colored diamonds may be sensitive to extreme temperature changes.
Inspect the setting periodically to ensure the diamond is secure. LUCERARO offers complimentary inspections and cleaning.
For more detailed guidance, visit our Jewelry Care Guide.
9. Your LUCERARO Fancy Colored Diamond Checklist
Before you choose, run through these key points:
Color: Choose the hue and intensity that speaks to you — Fancy Vivid for boldness, Fancy Light for subtlety.
Saturation: Prioritize saturation over size. A smaller, vivid stone outperforms a larger, pale one.
Certification: Ensure an independent grading report documents color grade, hue, tone, and saturation.
Origin: Confirm whether the color is natural, lab grown, or treated. LUCERARO offers lab grown colored diamonds with inherent color.
Setting: Choose a metal that complements the diamond’s hue — yellow gold for yellows, white gold or platinum for pinks and blues.
Shape: Consider radiant, cushion, or oval cuts that enhance color intensity.
Care: Clean gently, store separately, and avoid harsh chemicals.
10. The LUCERARO Promise
Every LUCERARO fancy colored diamond is a real diamond — created with intention, graded with integrity, and selected for its beauty. Whether you are drawn to the warmth of a yellow diamond, the romance of pink, or the depth of blue, we are here to help you find a stone that feels unmistakably yours.
Questions? Our diamond specialists are here to guide you. Contact us at service@luceraro.com — we are happy to assist you at every step of your journey.