How to Fix a Diamond With a Yellow Tint?

When experts inspect the color of a diamond, they actually look for diamonds with an absence of color. That’s why diamonds with a yellow tint tend to be considered less valuable than pure, white, and translucent diamonds. However, there are various ways you can fix a diamond with a yellow tint and make it sparkle.

What Is a Diamond With a Yellow Tint?

As mentioned, when looking for the perfect diamond, there are four quality factors you should consider, otherwise known as the four C’s – carat, cut, clarity, and color.

The color is perhaps one of the most important visual aspects of a diamond. Diamond colors are usually graded according to the D-Z scale, developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

The majority of diamonds contain a natural yellow or brown tint, while white “colorless” diamonds are the rarest. According to the GIA scale, D grade diamonds (D, E, and F), the most valuable and expensive, are translucent diamonds with no yellow hue. The following categories on the GIA scale are near colorless (G and H), very slight yellow tinge (I and J), very faint yellow (K-M), very light color (N-R), and light color (S-Z).

D Color | E Color | F Color | G Color | H Color | I Color | J Color | K Color | L Color

Diamonds with a yellow tint belong to the L section of the GIA scale, which presents the safe middle ground. L-color diamonds only have a slight yellow undertone, so their primary color is still white. Every diamond ranked from M to Z appears more and more yellow. In some cases, L-color diamonds can have brown tints as well.

You can best identify the tint of the diamond by viewing it from the side, and by placing it in front of a white background.

Why Is the Yellow Tint of a Diamond Important?

Diamonds with a yellow tint are still elegant and stunning, and they are much more affordable in comparison with some diamonds that rank higher on the GIA scale. However, the more prevalent the yellow tinge becomes, the less sparkle the diamond can produce. Light naturally reflects against diamonds, but if the yellow tint pervades, the light will be reflected in smaller amounts.

The color of the diamond will also impact its rarity, value, and price. It goes without saying that the rarer the diamond, the more it will cost. Even the slightest change of color can cause a significant difference in value. Even if two diamonds have identical clarity, weight, and cut ratios, the variance of color can make a huge difference in terms of pricing and value.

How to Fix a Diamond With a Yellow Tint

Just because a diamond with a hint of yellow is considered less valuable than colorless diamonds, it is by no means the wrong choice for you. However, if you want to make your diamond appear lighter in color, there are a couple of things you can do.

• Use the Ring to Hide the Color
• Choose the Right Color for the Ring’s Prongs
• Use a Halo for the Diamond
• Choose the Right Diamond Cut
• Use Diamond Fluorescence

Use the Ring to Hide the Color

The settings of the diamond play a major role in the color distribution. One of the most basic tricks to mask the yellow tint is by using a ring color that will minimize the hue.

If the diamond belongs in the upper part of the GIA scale, it’s best to use a light-colored ring, made from either white gold or platinum. On the other hand, L-color diamonds are best paired with yellow gold. The yellow color of the ring will mask the diamond’s yellow tint perfectly.

Choose the Right Color for the Ring’s Prongs

Other parts of the ring’s design can make your diamond seem less yellow. For example, the ring’s prongs, or prong mounting, can also make a difference.

For L-color diamonds, choosing yellow gold prongs is a wise option. The tiny details of the ring will reflect the yellow light, and the colored background will minimize the yellow tint even more.

Use a Halo for the Diamond

To further minimize the traces of yellow inside your diamond, you can frame the diamond with a halo. It’s a popular method that can make your ring seem even more valuable. Similar to how the ring’s prongs reflect light, a yellow gold halo around the center stone will distract from the diamond’s tint.

A halo can also draw attention away from the center stone. If you are feeling bold, you can choose a contrasting color for your ring’s frame, for example, a sapphire or ruby halo.

Choose the Right Diamond Cut

Believe it or not, the cut and shape of your diamond can also help mellow the effect of your diamond’s yellow tint. When picking out an engagement ring, you can choose from a various selection of cuts: round, princess, cushion, emerald, oval, pear, radiant, etc.

While some diamond cuts, such as pear and oval, reveal the color even more, certain diamond cuts that can reduce the yellow tint. The best cut for an L-color diamond is a round cut.

Expert Tip: Vintage Diamonds will look less yellow than regular modern diamonds.

Use Diamond Fluorescence

A quality factor that many people forget about, but can make a huge difference, is diamond fluorescence. It refers to how the diamond will react to UV light. If you are thinking about buying an L color diamond, then look for rings that have a medium to strong diamond fluorescence.

Find the Ideal L Color Diamond with Less Yellow Tint

Now that you know what to look for in a diamond with a yellow tint, let’s take a look at some options. We offer a fine, high-quality selection of J Color, K Color, and L-Color Diamonds. Take a look:

Rockford Ring. Circa 1900

This antique ring has an L-color diamond, and it dates back to the Edwardian Era. With 5.06 carats, VS1 clarity, and an old European cut, it’s one of the most beautiful options from our antique collection. The diamond’s exact measurements are 11.50mm x 11.58mm x 6.48mm.

Bridgeville Ring. Circa 1930

Another ring from the antique collection, the Bridgeville ring, comes from the Art Deco era. This diamond has 1.64 carats, VS2 clarity, and it ranges as “L” on the GIA scale. Its approximate measurements are 7.29mm x 6.52mm x 4.97mm.

Woodside Ring. Circa 1950

This L-color diamond is a vintage piece from 1950. It has 2.48 carats, VS1 clarity, and an old European cut. The dimensions of the diamond are 9.06 x 9.13 x 5.02mm.

Rutland Ring

This antique ring has a ruby halo around the cushion-shaped diamond, ideal for minimizing the yellow tint. It has 1.68 carats, SI1 clarity, and it comes with a gold ring. It’s a unique, beautiful option for an engagement ring.

Narbonne Ring

Made in platinum, the Narbonne ring has an old European cut, 1.70-carats, and VS2 clarity. The measurements of the center diamond are 7.97 x 7.90 x 4.31.

The Right Yellow Tint Can Make a Difference

An L-color diamond refers to a diamond with a yellow tint. However, just because there are slight traces of yellow inside the diamond, it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be an option. There are plenty of things you can do to fix a diamond with a yellow tint. At the end of the day, an engagement ring should put a smile on the face of your significant other.