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White Diamond vs Yellow Diamonds
- by Lilywho Ltd
Understanding Diamond colour and what makes each unique
White diamonds and yellow diamonds are both made of the same material: crystallised carbon. The main difference is the presence of tiny amounts of other elements within the diamond's crystal structure. In most natural yellow diamonds, nitrogen atoms replace some of the carbon atoms. These nitrogen atoms affect how the diamond absorbs and transmits light, giving it its yellow colour. In white diamonds, this effect is absent or much less noticeable, so the diamond appears colourless or nearly colourless.
White Diamond's Colour Grade
When choosing a diamond, colour is one of the most important factors to understand. White diamonds are graded on a scale from D to Z, with D representing completely colourless and increasing hints of yellow or brown appearing towards Z. These subtle differences can influence a diamond's appearance and price.
Yellow Diamond's Colour grade
The more nitrogen present, and how those atoms are arranged, can influence how strong the yellow colour appears. Yellow diamonds are graded according to the intensity of their colour. The scale ranges from Faint to Fancy Deep. The stronger and more vivid the yellow, the more distinctive the diamond can be.
While a slight yellow tint is generally considered less desirable in a traditional white diamond, a naturally occurring yellow diamond with a stronger, more distinctive colour can be valued for that very characteristic. The two are assessed using different grading systems, because one measures the absence of colour while the other celebrates its presence.
