The official GIA classifications describe the colorless diamond grades from D to Z. However, it is within the limit of the colorless scale that the fancy diamond colors begin.

Moreover, there is a specific classification for “cape diamonds,” which are the gemstones that belong to the X-Y-Z range of the colorless scale. These diamonds have unmistakable beautiful shades of yellow or brown.

To this exclusive colorless classification only belong fancy yellow diamonds, also known as Canary diamonds; and fancy brown ones, which are also known as Champagne or Cognac diamonds.

Like in the cases of other colors, there are internal grading scales within the fancy yellow diamond category. These are ranked according to the hue of yellow of the stones.

Those with the weakest yellow tones are known as light yellow diamonds. These gemstones have characteristic imprints of white and yellow in the same fashion.

Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamonds can be found on the other extreme of the grading scale. These have the strongest hues of yellow.

Diversity within the yellow category is usual. However, only Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamonds may have no white traces and deep yellow shadows.

The fancy yellow classification is more complex than one might initially believe. Many shades and hues can fall within different categories. For example, those Pure Yellow diamonds that have no overtones fall within six distinctive grades of intensity: Light (X-Y-Z range), Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep, and Fancy Vivid.

All of them are completely natural. The Fancy Dark intensity can also be found in yellow diamonds with overtones as in other fancy colors.

A significant factor of importance is the cut of the diamond. This aspect enables the possibility of appreciating different tonalities and intensities of colors to show. Purchasing diamonds is an activity that you should only do with someone you trust.

Yellow diamonds are the entrance door to the fancy-colored diamonds world. Why? Because even though these diamonds are incredibly rare, other colors are even more scarce. As a result, the cost of yellow diamonds is not as high as in the case of different colors.

The most popular hues of the yellow classification are Fancy Yellow and Fancy Intense Yellow. For those able to afford a little more, the Fancy Vivid Yellow shades are a perfect choice.

As in other fancy color gemstones, secondary shades and hues can be found on yellow diamonds. The majority of diamonds may include one, two, or even more overtones. The most typical shades in fancy yellow diamonds are orange and green, while pure dark tones usually possess brown and greenish hues.

Investment diamond buyers usually seek pure color diamonds. However, stunning color combinations like orange-yellow can be fascinating.

The following image recollects every potential hue and shade of the yellow diamond family.

Source: Fancy Color Research Foundation

The Incomparable was found in its rough state weighing 890 carats and was found in the town of Mbuji-Mayi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) in the 1980s. It was found by a young girl playing in a pile of rubble outside her uncle’s house. It was bought by important people from the diamond industries in New York. Four years were spent studying and then cutting the stone. They got a stone weighing 407,78 ct. From the fragments, fourteen satellite gems were cut, from 1,33 to 15,66 ct.