Naturally Yellow: A quick guide to a rare gemstone

One of the worlds most rare and valuable gemstones, the yellow diamond can often be misunderstood. Whilst some diamonds that are referred to as yellow are often shunned as a bad quality, a vibrant yellow is one of the most valuable. Classified as yellow in colour when face up, yellow diamonds are created when nitrogen is present in the diamond and can range in colour from a light lemon yellow to a darker canary yellow sometimes with hints of another colour such as orange or green.

On the most common scale used to measure a diamonds colour, the further down the scale you go, the more tinted and yellow coloured the stone becomes with D being the most white, all the way to Z which is the most tinted in colour. However, beyond this scale, diamonds become a more vibrant yellow/orange in colour. The most sought after yellow diamond is referred to as a Canary diamond which true to its name is a bright, vivid yellow colour.

Natural yellow diamonds are described as ‘fancy coloured’ and are often said to be ‘greenish yellow’ or even sometimes ‘brownish yellow’. As tinted diamonds are classified further down the scale, changing from a slight tint of yellow in a white diamond to a brighter and more noticeable colour in a fancy diamond, the price increases and a good quality yellow diamond can be compared to a good quality bright white diamond with regards to price.

Above is an example of a second hand yellow diamond three stone ring we have in our window. Set in all white gold, this ring has a central cushion shaped yellow diamond, described as fancy brownish, greenish yellow - natural in colour, this stone is estimated to be 1.29ct and is accentuated by two round brilliant cut end stones. Diamond weight estimated to be 0.33ct, all four claw set. This ring is a more delicate and modest example of a yellow diamond. Whilst this ring still has the classic fancy colouring of a yellow diamond, the setting and size of the stone make for a dainty looking ring but still keeping the intrigue surrounding the diamond, for a more subtle and modern piece. This piece is available to view via this link: https://www.twwillcox.co.uk/diamond?pgid=k56ww1r0-f6c45795-66ba-414a-9fed-273a108ff2ca

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Another stunning second hand piece we have boasting this vibrant gemstone, a showstopper of a piece. Set in 18ct white and yellow gold settings, this radiant cut diamond is set to the centre with two stunning round brilliant cut diamonds to each side. The yellow diamond is set in a yellow gold surround to enhance the colour, with the end stones in white gold to ensure a bright white looking diamond. With the yellow diamond estimated to be an impressive 2.50ct, and considered a pale, fancy colour, the accompanying brilliant cuts are a stunning G/H colour and are believed to weight 1.00ct. This piece would certainly turn heads and make a fantastic statement. This piece is available to view via: https://www.twwillcox.co.uk/diamond?pgid=k56ww1r0-9365f037-5d72-45a5-ba53-4ac9da8a7b86

A famous yellow diamond is a stone purchased by Tiffany and Co. in 1887. This specific diamond was found in South Africa and weighed a stunning 287 carats in weight! It was then specially cut with 90 facets to enhance the stone and allowing for the most light pass through it and therefore enhancing the stones colour. This diamond was set into a necklet and was renowned for being a piece worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany’s and can still be viewed in their New York store today.

A yellow diamond is a rare find and many are impressive in both colour, size and style. Much like the diamonds in the above photos, they are the perfect choice if a unique piece is what you're looking for. You can guarantee your yellow diamond will be a definite talking point with its eye catching colour and its cut dazzling in the light. A stone worth investing in if a distinctive piece is what you are looking for.

Please feel free to contact us for any further information on the rings in this post via the links below, or the contact form on our website.

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Sapphires For September

Its September already? If like us, you have watched the year fly in front of your eyes - worry not! Our monthly birth stone post is here to help with gift ideas for this months celebrations, and for sapphire lovers alike.

Sapphires are most commonly a blue colour, but are not limited to this. They can be found to be pink, yellow and green! Some stones can even colour change in different light and in different times of the day. As well as the birthstone for September, it is also the stone to represent the 45th and 65th wedding anniversaries. Sapphires are favoured by the Royals including Princess Diana and Princess Kate. Sapphires are incredibly durable and synthetic sapphire glass is often produced for every day use. The most preferred sapphires are often very vivid in colour.

Above is an example of the different depths of colour sapphires can have. The sapphires to the top of this pendant are more of a vivid blue than the sapphires below. This is one of our second hand sapphire and diamond pendants. It is claw set in a drop design with graduated colours of sapphire from top to bottom with two diamonds to the top and middle of the pendant. This particular pendant is suspended on an 18" snake/woven chain and fastens with a bolt ring. This necklet gives off a lot of show and would make a great birthday or anniversary gift. We currently have this pendant in our window at £200.00 and can be viewed here: https://www.twwillcox.co.uk/sapphire-1?pgid=k56wz1zz-5cbcfda6-31cd-4314-958a-2f2789c48678

As well as second hand pendants, we also have a large variety of second hand rings including clusters, three stones and half eternity rings in both white and yellow gold. This ring is collet set, making it an ideal ring to wear often as there are no claws that can catch. The sapphire in this ring is oval in shape and very vivid blue in colour, with two brilliant cut round diamonds to each side set in 18ct white gold. The diamond weight is an estimated 0.48ct, H/I in colour and SI2 clarity. This would make a stunning ring for a special birthday or as an anniversary gift. This ring is on display in our second hand window and more info about this piece can be found here: https://www.twwillcox.co.uk/sapphire-1?pgid=k56wz1zz-eadee77e-d5a9-43f6-b0ab-549938e49fa4

If silver is more suited to you, we have a range specifically dedicated to birth stones set in a beaded silver surround with matching earrings. This pendant is set with a darker sapphire, four claw set on an 18" silver curb chain with a 16" adjuster, so can be worn at a shorter length. The earrings, the same style as the pendant, are on rod and butterfly fittings. This set would make a simple but effective birthday gift. These sets are on display in the silver section of our window, if you require any information on these pieces, feel free to call into the shop or message us via our social media/website channels.

The ring above is an example of one of our more every day (but still stunning!) sapphire and diamond second hand rings. A crossover design with a central collet set sapphire in a gorgeous blue hue, with claw/grain set diamonds to each shoulder. The diamond weight in this ring is estimated to be 0.02ct and set in 18ct white gold. The rub over setting makes it suitable to wear all of the time. This ring is priced at £450.00, we have a range of different sapphire pieces in a range of prices, making sapphire a great stone to opt for when in need of a gift as there is likely to be something for everyone, that is also within budget! The following link will take you to more information on this ring: https://www.twwillcox.co.uk/sapphire-1?pgid=k56wz1zz-7990b389-9ceb-4ba1-addb-d3473e70b56d

We have silver, gold (both white and yellow set) sapphires, some with diamonds and some without. Whilst we do have a large number of pieces to choose from, if there is something sapphire you have in mind that you cannot see on our website or in our windows - we are always happy to help source something more to your liking. We would also suggest keeping an eye on our second hand window as pieces are added regularly. Feel free to get in touch with us via the website, any of our social media platforms or give us a call if you cannot pop in and we'd be happy to help.

Diamonds - The Four Cs

Whether you're thinking of splashing out on a special piece of jewellery for yourself, or in the market for the perfect engagement ring, knowing the details and the difference between each diamond you come across can be daunting and frankly, can become quite complicated. From knowing the size of a carat, to recognising your emerald cut from your princess cut, a little bit of diamond knowledge can go a long way to making sure such an important decision is the best one.

When certified using the appropriate gemological tools, all diamonds have their own qualities which are then listed on their own unique certificate. Diamond grading is often categorised into the Four C's - cut, clarity, colour and carat.

The First C - Cut

The cut of a diamond refers to the proportion of how a stone is cut and how the various sections of the stone are shaped. When the diamonds are certified, the cut is categorised from Ideal cut - a diamond with maximum brilliance to excellent, very good, good to fair/poor - which often means it does not give off a lot of 'sparkle' and can mostly be expected when the size of the stone is being prioritised rather than the quality or fire the diamond gives off.

The cut of a diamond also refers to the shape. Your classic diamond is referred to as a round brilliant cut, but other cuts such as pear shaped, oval, princess (square) and marquise shaped diamonds are popular stones.

The photo above shows an emerald cut and a brilliant cut diamond.

The Second C - Carat

The carat of a diamond refers to the size of the stone. Carats can start from a small a diamond as 0.05. Carats may often be referred to as points. If a diamond is said to have 20 points of diamonds, this means the stone is 0.20ct. Or if there are multiple diamonds in a ring, it has the weight equal to 0.20ct. The more carats in a diamond, the bigger the stone - however the carat of a diamond cannot be used alone as an accurate measurement of the quality, as you will find out with the next two Cs.

The smallest ring (first on the finger) is 0.26ct. The second is 0.50ct and the final ring is 1.00ct.

The Third C - Clarity

The clarity of a diamond refers to how many visible blemishes or inclusions you can see in a diamond. The scale starts from Internally flawless, which is a blemish free diamond and would indicate a good quality stone. The scale then progresses to VVS1/VVS2 (very, very small inclusions) which are inclusions which cannot be seen with the naked eye, VS1 (very small inclusions) which are still very difficult to locate with eyes alone. The scale then extends to SI (slightly included) and I stones (imperfect) which both show blemishes and inclusions in a diamond, which would look like a black dot in the stone. The more flawless the diamond, the better the quality, but stones which have blemishes unable to be seen without magnification can also make great, and typically more affordable stones.

The Forth C - Colour

The colour of a diamond refers to how white the stone is. The scale for this is graded in letters. The most exceptional white begins at D. The further down the scale, the more yellow/tinted the diamonds become. From D to around H, would be classed as a white colour diamond. From I, the diamonds become slightly more tinted the further down the scale you go. Simple!

When searching for your perfect diamond, the 4 Cs are always something that should be considered, and having a little bit of knowledge before you purchase is always helpful! All of these categories go hand in hand with each other and knowing which to prioritise is essential, whether its carat and size over colour/clarity, or a smaller, more flawless diamond you'd prefer, knowing the attributes will make your search feel a lot less overwhelming.

All of our second hand and new diamond pieces are available to view via the links below. We are always happy to help you make your decision and will always try to provide you with any information you may need.

Second hand diamond: https://www.twwillcox.co.uk/diamond

New diamond: https://www.twwillcox.co.uk/diamond-1