| About Canary Diamonds
Most diamonds of value are thought to have a lack
of color or colorless but diamonds with strong color, or canary
diamonds or fancy
colored diamonds, are more rare and often more valuable. Fancy
colored diamonds come is many colors such as yellows, reds, pinks,
blues, greens, purples and many shades in between. The rarest
are pink and red. Canary diamonds are yellow in color.
The fancy color in diamonds is produced during the
diamond formation from many factors such as impurities , trace
elements or radiation affecting the diamonds creation.
How are canary diamonds and colored diamonds graded?
Canary diamonds and fancy colored diamonds are grades in 2 ways: "hue" and
"intensity." "Hue" is the basic color of
the diamond, yellow, blue, green etc. "Intensity" is
the degree to which the color is present. The more intense the
color, the rarer and more expensive the diamond.
GIA uses nine categories for color grades
- Faint
(L-N)
- Very Light
(O-V)
- Light
(W-Z)
- Fancy Light
(Past Z)
- Fancy
- Fancy Intense
- Fancy Vivid
What does a Canary Yellow Diamond mean?
As you can see on the chart canary yellow is not a color
grade for fancy yellow diamonds. Canary yellow diamond is a
non-gemological term used to describe yellow diamonds. Canary
yellow diamonds is a term that that the public refers to a
"very" yellow diamonds such as fancy intense yellow.
You can assume that canary yellow diamonds and yellow diamonds
are interchangeable terms. So, all yellow diamonds are
somewhat "canary yellow" diamonds to varying
degrees. (For example light canary yellow diamonds.) You
will not see the term "canary yellow" on a lab
certificate, but the public still uses this term to describe
"very" yellow diamonds.
What about clarity in canary diamonds or fancy colored diamonds?
Clarity is not as important a factor in canary diamonds or fancy colored diamonds
as in white or colorless diamonds. In fact, many color grading
certificates only grade the color of the diamond and not the
clarity.
Many times feathers or small crystal inclusions appear the same
color as the diamond and don't diminish the coloring of the diamond.
In some circumstances they may create the appearance of more
brilliance.
As long as the diamond is considered "eye clean" to an
untrained eye clarity is not as crucial. However, fancy
colored diamonds with clarities of VS or better are more rare and
command a higher price.
Color treatments in fancy colored and canary diamonds
Irradiated diamonds are a common form of treating not so colored
diamonds to appear fancy in color. This is done through
irradiation followed by high heat. This process is usually
permanent, but may change is high heat is used during setting
or repairs.
Gemesis cultured man made colored diamonds are grown in a laboratory
to make them affordable. Natural diamond of similar color are
much more expensive.
How do I choose the right canary diamond?
At Diamonds and Engagement Rings.com we try to make your diamond
buying experience as easy as possible. The best thing to do is
call and speak with one of our fancy colored and canary diamond experts.
We can discuss your budget and options to help you choose the
perfect canary diamond. Since fancy colored diamonds are very rare
every piece is unique in itself. Whether you are buying a $500
ring or a $50,000 ring we understand that ring is special to you.
Our diamonds are all 100% natural untreated diamonds unless you are
told otherwise. Your investment in a natural fancy colored and
canary diamond is secure.
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