It’s all in the grade

Yellow diamonds are affectionately nicknamed ‘Canary Diamonds’ like the small yellow feathered friend. They are given their yellow hue due to the presence of nitrogen in their chemical structure. When it comes to coloured diamonds, they are graded in a slightly different manner than colourless diamonds and the grading determines the value of the stone.   

The GIA colour scale has six grades that yellow diamonds can fall under which are Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Dark, Fancy Deep, Fancy Intense, and Fancy Vivid. The more intense the colour, the rarer and more expensive these diamonds are. In the 2 July jewellery auction, McTear’s are lucky enough to have three examples of yellow diamonds which fall into three different grades.  

Lot 390 is an oval cut yellow diamond ring of approximately 3.02 carats with a colour grade of Fancy Light meaning that it has a pale yellow appearance which is subtle on the eye. The grade of this ring is at the very beginning of the GIA scale meaning that it has the lowest percentage of nitrogen in its composition. Estimate £15,000 - £20,000.   

Lot 400 is a pair of Fancy Yellow diamond earrings. Perfectly matched in colour and clarity, these pear shaped diamonds are one grade above the Fancy Light ring. This means that they have a slightly darker yellow hue. Estimate £10,000 - £15,000. 

Lot 395 is a ring which has the highest grade of all. Set with a rectangular modified brilliant cut diamond of approximately 1.37 carats, it comes with an impressive colour grade of Fancy Vivid which showcases an intense yellow hue. Diamonds of this colour grade are extremely rare and hard to find on the market. Estimate £15,000 - £20,000. 

To really spoil you for choice if yellow isn’t your colour, how about an orange diamond ring? Lot 475 is a Fancy Deep Brownish Yellowish Orange diamond. This orange diamond has an overtone of brown and yellow alongside its orange hue. Estimate £3500 - £4500.  

To view the Jewellery catalogue click here >>

Amy Cameron

McTear’s sells more jewellery than any other traditional auction house in the dedicated jewellery auctions that take place twice monthly, run concurrently live online on a platform that attracts six million visitors annually from over 120 countries worldwide.