Yellow Diamonds
The Tiffany Yellow Diamond, one of the largest yellow diamonds ever found has only been worn by two women. One wore it to dinner and the other for a publicity photo shoot. A diamond of this size and value is not very practical to wear as a matter of course. In the rough, before it was cut into 90 facets, it weighed 287 carats. Then it was cut down to 128 carats in a custom shape to maximize its brilliance. A diamond of this size and value cannot be cut in just any way. It must be carefully planned and executed or great waste will result. The young man that did cut the stone – only 23 years old at the time – studied it for a year first. The result was an outstanding and precious stone in every sense.
Another fascinating diamond that you must know about is the Kimberley Octahedron. Named after the place it was found – the Kimberly mine in Africa – and its shape – this is the biggest yellow diamond ever found. At 616 carats it still has not been cut into a gem with facets and remains in its original shape and size. Now, it is the 14th largest diamond ever found with 13 non-yellow diamonds even larger. About the size of a golf ball, the Kimberly Octahedron remains with the scientists. Also not practical to wear or enjoy at cocktail parties it remains a valuable and beautiful treasure nonetheless.
If you are looking for yellow diamonds today, there are some that are even made in the laboratory. These diamonds are made the same way natural diamonds are created: with heat and pressure. When the laboratory diamonds are made, they are in fact a bit superior in strength because they are made under controlled conditions. The color is also more pure and more beautiful at times. Unfortunately, these diamonds are very expensive as well because of the process required to create them.
When considering yellow diamonds, there are several different shades. Canary yellow is perhaps the most popular, but deeper and more vibrant shades of yellow are also available. Other shades of yellow include: fancy yellow, fancy light yellow, light yellow, very light yellow, and faint yellow. All shades of yellow are a measure of nitrogen in the stone. The more nitrogen trapped inside, the darker the yellow.
Rare yellow diamonds have now become quite popular with celebrities. Here are some of the celebrities that recently bought them: Johnny Damon, the Red Sox baseball star, gave Michelle Mangan a brilliant yellow diamond engagement ring. Dennis Quaid, Kimberly Buffington, Heidi Klum, Varonica Varekova, Petr Nedved, Rodney Jenkins, and Joy Enriquez have all been seen recently purchasing a yellow diamond. Who’s next on the list? Will it be you?
(Pictured: The Tiffany Yellow Diamond)
