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Why Colored Diamonds Make Better Engagement Rings

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Last Updated on March 27, 2018 by Alaina

Colored diamonds are both rare and exquisite, making for a one-of-a-kind engagement ring that is as unique as your relationship. While some prefer the traditional white diamond, many couples are opting to shake things up by adding a splash of color (and personality) to their symbolic ring.

Are there benefits of one color over another? Which colors are the rarest? Here’s everything you need to know before adding color to one of the most important purchases of your life.

Traditional Diamonds

Before we outline the benefits of other colored diamonds, let’s take a look at the classic white diamonds used throughout history. Historically, proposing with an engagement ring was not common practice. In medieval times, a few women received diamonds as a sign of commitment and devotion. These women were in extremely wealthy and even royal families.

Diamond engagement rings did not become standard operating procedure until the late 1940s, when DeBeers created the “Diamonds Are Forever” marketing campaign. Since then, diamonds have been a symbol of everlasting love with colorless diamonds dominating the market share. So, if you have a difficult time getting past the idea of breaking a tradition, keep in mind that the engagement ring gifting practice is less than a century old.

Facts About Colored Diamonds

Colored diamond engagement rings are subject to the same grading standards as colorless ones. They are measured under the Geographical Institute of America (GIA) universal standards, which assign value based on the 4 Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat. The difference in grading comes in the determination of what has value. With a colorless diamond, the less color, the better. With a colored diamond, the more, the better.

Colors are put into a hierarchy by GIA, with the categories being Faint, Very Light, Fancy light-weight, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep and Fancy Vivid. Faint would indicate a slight tint whereas Fancy Vivid is intense and saturated.

Colored diamonds tend to have more value than colorless diamonds, as they are rarer. This added value makes a colored diamond a wise investment. The rarest colors are blue, red, green, orange, and pink, with red being the rarest. The Hope Diamond is one of the most famous (or infamous, if you believe in the curse) colored diamonds in the world with its incredible blue depths.

Popular Diamond Colors for Engagement Rings

In addition to the unique quality and financial investment, couples have the opportunity to add some customization to their ring. Whether you pick your favorite color or something based on symbolism, no two rings look the same when you add a colored diamond. Here are some of the popular color options:

Yellow Diamonds

Yellow diamonds are created when additional gases are added during the gemstone’s formation. These bright, cheerful stones represent happiness, wealth, intellect, joy, and power. They are also referred to as canary diamonds and sometimes have tinges of brown.

Blue Diamonds

Blue diamonds represent purity, wealth, harmony, and peace. They are often associated with the sky and the sea, hence the creation of the Heart of the Ocean in the movie Titanic. The stones range from a light, airy, sky blue to a deep, impenetrable blue of the ocean depths.

Pink Diamonds

Pink represents femininity, fertility, calm, and relaxation. Like red diamonds, pink stones are rare and highly sought after. Pink diamonds are extremely versatile in their range of color, often including hints of orange, purple, or brown.

Green Diamonds

Green diamonds represent growth, fertility, renewal, and earthiness. They are formed when exposed to low levels of radiation during the formation process. Green diamonds range from a light, minty green to a deep emerald-like hue. They make for a truly unique ring and pair well with pink diamonds.

Due to their rarity, colored diamonds are a great investment. They add uniqueness and customization to an otherwise predictable, modern tradition. Which color would you choose?

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