When you’re designing a custom engagement ring, one of the most important considerations can be the choice of stone. For many, diamonds have the romantic edge, with connotations of enduring love. But as beautiful as a well-cut diamond can be, sometimes that clear, bright aesthetic just isn’t right. The potential wearer might want colour as well as sparkle and durability. That’s where coloured diamonds come into their own. They give you all the benefits of the diamond – the symbolism, strength, permanency and beauty. With the added personality – and originality – that colour can bring.

So, what do you need to know before selecting coloured diamonds for your custom engagement ring?

Everything You Need to Know About Coloured Diamonds

What is diamond?

Diamond is a rare, naturally occurring mineral composed of carbon. They form in the Earth’s mantle, about 100 miles below the surface. And they’re one of the strongest, most chemical resistant, naturally occurring substances known to man. They’re also stunningly beautiful.

How do coloured diamonds differ?

In their purest form, diamonds are clear, uncoloured. When naturally forming impurities or structural defects occur, the intensity and shade of the stone can change. In some cases, this can reduce the value of the stone – white diamonds with a yellow tinge can be considerably cheaper to buy. In other cases, colouration can make the price of a diamond skyrocket – in 2010, the Graff Pink diamond sold for $46 million. Admittedly, it’s considerably larger than most of us would wear to work everyday, but the point remains.

What colours do diamonds come in?

Pick a colour, any colour, and if you’ve got the budget you can probably find a diamond to match. White, grey, brown, yellow, pink, orange, red, purple, blue, green, even black diamonds can be found. And they’re all breath-taking in their own ways.

The red diamond is the rarest, and therefore most expensive. Yellow diamonds are the most readily available after white diamonds. For bespoke engagement ring design, pink diamonds are among the most popular.

What do you need to consider when selecting a coloured diamond for a custom engagement ring?

The selection of any stone for your bespoke engagement ring comes with many considerations. Yes, you need to choose a colour that the wearer will love. But you also need to make sure that you’re getting the best possible value and quality for your money. Most jewellers work on the 4Cs system.

• Cut – The way that a diamond is cut directly impacts its brilliance and this has a significant impact on its value and desirability.
• Carat – This relates to the weight of the diamond. The lower the carat, the lower the value.
• Clarity – The clearer a diamond, the greater its value.
• Colour – Typically, this relates to clear, white diamonds. If a white diamond is discoloured, tinged with yellow, grey or brown, then it will have a lower value than the purest white diamonds. However, some colours have extraordinary value due to their rarity. Red diamonds are so rare that few people will ever see one. And that makes them the most valuable. Grey, brown and yellow diamonds are at the more affordable end of the spectrum.

Coloured diamonds can be a wonderful way to add personality and unique style to a custom engagement ring. They are beautiful beyond words and they are as enduring as your love. They can be adapted to any form of ring design. But it’s important to remember if your budget doesn’t quite stretch to a stunning red or blue diamond, there are plenty of incredible alternatives. While diamonds carry all the kudos, any stone will shine in a well-designed custom engagement ring.

Are you looking for some help designing your own engagement ring? Contact Durham Rose today.