Yellow Diamonds’ Golden Glow at this Fall’s Auctions

Posted on Oct 17, 2013 in Auctions, Diamonds in the News,

Fall brings the turning of leaves, the golden glow of pumpkins, and the warmth of fires in the fireplace. While yellow is often associated with the sunny skies of summer, its warm tone is a natural autumn hue, and this fall’s auctions have a number of spectacular yellow diamonds that are fitting for the season.

At Sotheby’s September 24 auction in New York is a 7.02 carat Fancy Intense yellow diamond ring, with an estimated sale price of $140,000 to $160,000. The cut-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut diamond has a GIA report verifying that it is a Natural Color Fancy Intense yellow. (Update: final sale price was $173,000)

The geological conditions that create colored diamonds is very rare, which makes naturally occurring shades, like this yellow stone, scarce and highly prized. Read more about how GIA grades natural colored diamonds here (link).

Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond and Diamond Ring. Image courtesy of Sotheby’s.

GIA quality analysis: Fancy Intense yellow, Natural Color, VVS1 clarity (GIA report 15330995)

A 5.13 carat square-cut Fancy Vivid yellow diamond is one of a trio of colored diamonds that will be highly anticipated at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York on October 15. Alongside a 8.77 carat Fancy Intense Pink and 3.81 carat Fancy Vivid Blue, this Fancy Vivid Yellow is expected to fetch $200,000 to $300,000 at auction. With the rising popularity of colored diamond celebrity engagement rings—Kelly Clarkson was engaged in last December with a fancy yellow diamond like this one—perhaps we’ll see this unmounted stone make another appearance on the finger of a famous celebrity!

5.13 carat square-cut fancy vivid yellow diamond. Image courtesy of Christie’s Images LTD. 2013.

GIA quality analysis: 5.13 carat Fancy Vivid yellow diamond, natural color, VVS1 clarity (GIA report 1152355720)

As mentioned earlier, a naturally occurring yellow diamond is quite rare, and of course, large sizes are even more rare. Also at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction is a commanding 20.04 carat pear-shaped Fancy yellow diamond, mounted in gold and platinum and suspended from a 16-inch fine link chain. This stunning necklace has an anticipated sale price of $500,000 to $600,000.

Colored Diamond Pendant Necklace. Image courtesy of Christie’s Images LTD. 2013.

GIA quality analysis: 20.04 carat Fancy yellow, natural color, VS1 clarity (GIA report 1152481097)