From engagement rings to dress pieces, coloured diamond jewellery continues to rise in popularity. At Hogans Family Jewellers, we have taken a closer look at what exactly constitutes a coloured diamond and the stunning options available to you. 

What Are Coloured Diamonds?
In essence, coloured diamonds are precious gemstones that possess a distinct hue. Unlike the classic colourless diamonds that are white, these colours result from the presence of chemical elements such as sulphur and boron, or flaws in the carbon atomic structure and crystal lattice. Coloured diamonds, often referred to as “fancy colour diamonds,” are available in a variety of cuts and intensities, with the most vibrant and intense colours being the rarest. At Hogans, we regularly feature white, Champagne, yellow, pink and blue diamonds in our ready-to-wear pieces that make up our showroom collection.

Do the 4C's Apply to Coloured Diamonds?
When purchasing a white diamond, buyers typically assess its brilliance based on the 4C’s: cut, colour, clarity, and carat. However, when seeking a fancy coloured diamond, the quality of the diamond's colour is the most critical factor, significantly influencing its value. The colour of a fancy coloured diamond is classified based on three main factors, those being hue, saturation and tone. In addition to this, there is a specific colour grading system (see below) used to determine the quality of a diamond's colour, with intense and vivid fancy diamonds are the rarest and most valuable. 

• Faint
• Fancy Light
• Fancy
• Fancy Dark
• Fancy Deep
• Fancy Intense
• Fancy Vivid

Yellow Diamonds
Yellow Diamonds, also known as Canary Diamonds, are the most common and highly sought-after coloured diamonds. The allure of this beautiful diamond has been amplified by numerous celebrities, such as Adele and Paris Hilton, who have showcased yellow diamond jewellery. Consequently, yellow diamonds are often the preferred choice for coloured diamond engagement rings.

Champagne Diamonds
Champagne diamonds are a type of natural diamond that have a warm, brownish-yellow colour, resembling the hue of Champagne. These diamonds are part of the broader category of fancy colour diamonds and can range from light to dark shades of Champagne or brown hues. The colour is graded based on hue, tone, and saturation, and they are valued for their unique appearance. 

Pink Diamonds
Pink Diamonds are among the rarest and most expensive coloured diamonds and obtain their unique colour due to a distortion in the diamond's crystal lattice. They typically exhibit hues that range from a vibrant pink to a pale blush pink Unlike other coloured diamonds, pink diamonds have their own unique colour grading system, which ranges from purplish pink to pink Champagne. 

• PP (Purplish Pink)
• P (Pink)
• PR (Pink Rose)
• PC (Pink Champagne)
• BL (Blue Violet)
• R (Red)
• PR (Purplish Red)

With the closure of the Argyle Pink Diamond mine in Western Australia at the end of 2020, there has been a surge in demand for these exquisite gems. The Argyle mine was the world's largest supplier of naturally sourced pink diamonds, and since its closure, the value of these diamonds has increased significantly.

Blue Diamonds
Blue diamonds are natural diamonds with a noticeable blue hue, ranging from light to deep blue and are extremely rare. These precious gemstones typically acquire their colour due to the minute presence of boron within their crystal structure. Similar to pink diamonds, blue diamonds often have secondary hues, such as violet, grey, or green. As with all coloured diamonds, the more intense the blue, the higher the diamond's value.

Found in only a few mines around the world, including the Cullinan mine in South Africa and the Argyle Mine in Western Australia, blue diamonds are among the rarest and most expensive of all coloured diamonds. Regardless of where it falls on the blue diamond colour chart, a blue diamond is always a stunning and extremely rare gem.

Red Diamonds
Red diamonds are the rarest of all fancy-coloured diamonds and are at the top of the value scale. Their scarcity makes them one of the most sought-after hues.

It's not uncommon for a pure red diamond to be mistaken for one with a purplish or pinkish tone. However, a true red diamond lacks any secondary colours. It's also worth noting that fancy red diamonds do not have a saturation level like other fancy-coloured diamonds, as red represents the highest level of colour in the pink diamond family - no greater saturation is possible. The price for a rare pure red diamond typically starts at around seven figures per carat, primarily due to its rarity.

Which Coloured Diamond Is Right For You?
Choosing the perfect coloured diamond depends on your personal style, preferences and of course, budget. At Hogans Family Jewellers, we've crafted a wide range of coloured diamond jewellery, including engagement rings, dress rings, necklaces and pendants, bracelets, and earrings which you can browse via our online showroom. Alternatively, for those seeking a more personalised and unique piece, we recommend booking a consultation with one of our jewellery designers where we can source a hand selected diamonds to design and craft a custom piece that perfectly suits you.