Champagne Diamonds: a guide

5 Minute Read

Champagne diamonds have become a standout choice for those seeking a unique and sophisticated alternative to traditional colourless diamonds. With their warm, rich hues ranging from light straw to deep cognac, these natural fancy-coloured diamonds offer a distinct and alluring beauty that captivates and enchants.

What Are Champagne Diamonds?

Champagne diamonds belong to the natural brown diamond family, known for their diverse range of brown tones. The beautiful spectrum—from pale honey-brown to intense chocolate—is a result of nitrogen trapped within the diamond’s crystal structure during formation. This process, which occurs over billions of years, gives champagne diamonds their signature colour. The term 'champagne' was popularised by the Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia, renowned for its champagne-hued diamonds, although these gems can be sourced from various diamond mines around the world.

The Uniqueness of Champagne Diamonds

One important distinction is that the beautiful champagne color in natural diamonds arises from the presence of nitrogen during their formation deep within the earth. While lab-grown diamonds can exhibit similar hues, the unique natural processes that create the true champagne color cannot be fully replicated in a laboratory. As a result, though some lab-grown diamonds may have warm undertones described as 'champagne,' they do not possess the exact same character as those found in naturally formed diamonds.

Grading Champagne Diamonds

Champagne diamonds are graded differently than their colourless counterparts. There is no universal grading scale, but many certifying bodies use a scale from C1 to C7, where C1 represents a light brown and C7 denotes a deep cognac. International laboratories, such as the GIA, use a colour scale from K-Z, describing the diamonds as ‘Light Brown’ or ‘Fancy light yellow-brown’. The grading focuses on the depth and intensity of the colour rather than the absence of it.

The Value of Champagne Diamonds

When it comes to pricing, champagne diamonds are generally more affordable than colourless diamonds. The cost of a champagne diamond ring, for instance, can vary based on factors such as cut, clarity, and carat weight. Despite their lower price compared to colourless diamonds, champagne diamonds hold their own in terms of value due to their rarity and unique appeal.

The Sparkle of Champagne Diamonds

Champagne diamonds do sparkle, but their brilliance is warmer and more subdued compared to colourless diamonds. This softer sparkle adds to their charm and elegance, making them a refined choice for those who appreciate a more nuanced and understated sparkle.

Are Argyle Champagne Diamonds More Valuable?

Argyle champagne diamonds are highly prized due to their distinctive colours and rarity. The Argyle Diamond Mine has been a significant source of these gems, and their exclusivity can make them particularly valuable to collectors and investors.

Clarity in Champagne Diamonds

While clarity is an important aspect of all diamonds, champagne diamonds often display inclusions that are less noticeable due to their colour. This means that even champagne diamonds with lower clarity grades can still be visually stunning, providing a beautiful option for those seeking a unique gem.

Choosing the Perfect Champagne Diamond

Ultimately, the choice of a champagne diamond comes down to personal taste. Many prefer diamonds with a faint brown or honey undertone that balances exceptional brilliance with rich colour. Due to the unique crystalline structure of champagne diamonds, high-quality stones are more challenging to source, making them all the more special.

Champagne diamonds offer a captivating alternative to traditional diamonds, combining elegance, warmth, and affordability. If you’re considering a champagne diamond for your special piece, TINK Jewellery can help guide you in finding the perfect gem that embodies both beauty and uniqueness. Explore the allure of champagne diamonds and discover how they can add a touch of sophistication to your jewellery collection.