Yellow Gold Engagement Rings

What Is The Best Diamond Color For Yellow Gold Rings? 

Obsessed with yellow gold rings? So are we! Just remember, the diamond color you pick matters if you want your center stone to sparkle just right. Join us as we explore the best diamond color options for your dream yellow gold engagement ring.

Three yellow gold diamond engagement rings with different diamond center stone shapes

What Is Yellow Gold?

Yellow gold, or simply gold, is a precious metal that occurs naturally and is best used as jewelry and other decorative objects. This soft metal, in its purest form, can bend easily and therefore be manipulated into our favorite accessories, from gold earrings to yellow gold wedding bands, when combined with harder metal alloys.

Fun fact: the first-ever engagement ring was made from yellow gold with a simple bezel set diamond center stone.

What Does A Diamond Color Grade Mean?

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) sets the benchmark for the diamond industry. The world’s oldest, largest, and most reputable institute of gemological research and learning is responsible for analyzing and certifying the color, cut, clarity, and carat weight (the 4Cs) of all diamonds. Learn more about the 4Cs here.

The GIA color scale goes from D to Z, categorized into five groups: colorless, near colorless, faint, very light, and light. As the letter or category goes, the yellow tint increases as well. The tint is basically indistinguishable to the untrained eye, especially in lower grades. However, these same differences greatly affect how a diamond’s quality is assessed and, of course, its price.

Generally, the tint becomes more noticeable as the color grading system gets lower.

A chart illustrating the 4Cs of diamond grading

Colorless Diamonds For Yellow Gold Rings

Color grades D-F are absolutely colorless, setting the colorless standard. When you hear diamonds being described as ice, it is likely a D, E, or F color diamond. They are simply spectacular, and they look stunning with any metal color ring setting.

Remember that the higher the color grade, the more expensive the diamond. That being said, if you have the budget for a colorless diamond, know that it will look perfect and shine with brilliance when set in your preferred yellow gold engagement ring.

Near Colorless Diamonds For Yellow Gold Rings

G, H, I, and J color diamonds make up the near-colorless range. Generally, one cannot tell these diamonds have this subtle warmth unless they are placed side by side with another diamond that is truly colorless.

When viewed and graded by an expert gemologist, a near colorless diamond might appear to have a very faint yellow tint. 

Although these diamonds have a slight hint of color, they’re almost impossible to detect with the naked eye. Generally, near colorless diamonds are recommended to be set in lighter metals to avoid the color reflection from yellow or rose gold ring settings. However, we know plenty of ways around this!

If you’re leaning towards a diamond in the near-colorless range, fancy shapes such as emerald, marquise, Asscher, radiant, and cushion-shaped diamonds aren’t ideal for concealing color and usually tend to have a darker appeal. For this reason, it’s best to opt for a round or oval cut diamond to set with your yellow gold engagement ring.

Related post: Fancy Shaped Diamonds: Discover Your Unique Style

Faint Diamonds For Yellow Gold Rings

It’s worth noting that color is not the only thing to consider when purchasing a diamond. The other 3Cs can also play a huge role in the way your chosen color grade presents on an engagement ring or piece of fine jewelry. 

Nevertheless, diamonds in the faint color grade, K, L, and M, are considered to have a faint tint. So, in short, they do show a slight tint of color. But does that mean they aren’t suitable as the center or accent stones for your yellow gold engagement ring? Not at all.

If you have your heart set on a faint diamond, it’s best to choose a diamond shape that is able to conceal or even disguise the color. Luckily you have many options to choose from, from classics like the round brilliant or princess cut, to edgier shapes like emerald and Asscher.

Try to avoid shapes like cushion cuts or radiant cuts as the color will be more noticeable, especially in a yellow or rose gold ring setting.

Gold engagement rings

Ring Settings and Diamond Color

Whether you’re customizing your dream engagement ring online or buying it in a store, there are plenty of different ring settings to choose from. But when it comes to yellow gold rings and diamond colors, not all gold settings are going to do your chosen diamond color justice.

The Best Ring Settings For A Colorless Diamond

For colorless diamonds, your choice of ring setting is virtually unrestricted. Whether you want your diamond to stand alone in a solitaire engagement ring or you want it surrounded by diamond accents in a pave setting, your center stone will steal the show every time!

The Best Ring Settings For A Near Colorless Diamond

Near colorless diamonds are a little trickier because of their almost light yellow tint. If you’d prefer settings with side stones or a pave setting, it’s best you don’t go below H color, with an exception for round, princess cut, emerald, or Asscher, in which case you can go as low as an I color diamond.

Halo settings are even more restrictive for near colorless diamonds in yellow gold, so don’t go below H color no matter the cut.

The Best Ring Setting For A Faint Color Diamond

The best settings for faint-colored diamonds are solitaire and bezel settings, where ideally, the center stone is the only diamond. In this sense, diamond side accents will have no effect on how the center stone is presented. Often side diamonds can make the yellow tint more obvious, but when the diamond stands alone, it’s harder to identify the color. 

Related post: Solitaire Engagement Rings: Your Complete Guide

Diamond Prices for Different Color Grades

Buying a diamond is no easy decision. You have to consider your budget, your partner’s expectations and preferences, and where the best place to buy it is.

See the chart below for some price comparisons of loose earth-created diamonds at JamesAllen. It’s important to remember that the diamonds of similar color grade, cut, and carat weight will be more than 3 times more affordable when choosing the lab created counterparts.

We’ll compare diamonds of the highest color grade to the most popular near-colorless and faint-colored diamonds.

Price comparison chart of D color diamond to other grades

Prong Metal Color

When you’re choosing a setting, make sure you take note of the prongs that will hold your diamond center stone in place. It’s not always a given that your yellow gold ring settings will also have yellow gold prongs, some may have white gold prongs. If that is the case with your chosen ring, the white metal will make diamonds with low color grades look a little off.

Pro tip: For white gold prongs, it’s best to stick to an H or I color diamond. Your jeweler may be able to switch the prongs to yellow gold instead. If you’re customizing your ring online, you’ll have a wider variety of similar settings to choose from with yellow gold prong options.

FAQs

  1. Does yellow gold affect diamond color?

Yes, dark-colored metals like rose and yellow gold have the biggest effect on diamonds because the diamonds will reflect some of the metal’s color.

  1. What gems go with yellow gold? 

Of course! Apart from colorless diamonds, gems that are blue, red, purple, pink, orange, and green pair surprisingly well with yellow gold. The more vivid the gem, the better it looks set in yellow gold jewelry. 

  1. Do diamonds look better in rose or yellow gold? 

Not all diamonds look better in warmer golds. K to Z color grade diamonds will be noticeably yellow and so expert gemologists and jewelers often recommend going with a yellow gold engagement ring setting to give your diamond ring a more vintage look.

  1. Is yellow gold outdated? 

Yellow gold continues to be a fashion mainstay year after year. Yellow gold jewelry is essentially a timeless staple anyone should add to their jewelry box.

Parting Thoughts

We hope this helped you, and if you’re still left unsure about which diamond color is the best choice for your yellow gold engagement ring, our 24/7 diamond and jewelry experts are at your service!

Visit JamesAllen.com today to find the perfect diamond for you, all viewable in 360°HD, with a real-time diamond inspection consultant. Book your free consultation today!

jessicat

Jessica Thomas

Jessica is a seasoned content writer with four years of experience and a qualified gemologist. She enjoys educating new shoppers on the best practices for buying jewelry.

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Black Friday Jewelry Gift Guide 2022

Black Friday Jewelry Gift Guide 2022

If you’re looking to check off your holiday gift list and save money, then it’s your time to shine…literally! James Allen’s Black Friday deals are here! Read on to check out the best bling at the best prices. Shop early, save, and, best of all, sleep in on November 25th.

Black Friday jewelry gift guide 2022

James Allen Black Friday Deals

It’s that time of year again, the annual James Allen Black Friday sale! 25% off SITE WIDE! Save on everything! That piece you’ve been eyeing all year? Treat yo self! That engagement ring your love has been sending hint after hint for? Blow their mind with the bling!

Sparkle so bright they won’t remember you forgot their birthday? They’ll wish you would forget it every year! Shop early, save, avoid the chaos, and savor those turkey day leftovers.

Best Selling Black Friday Engagement Rings

A chill in the air and some ice on the finger. The most romantic time of year is upon us once again, the perfect time to pop the question or upgrade your current hardware. Whether you prefer a perfect pavé, a sophisticated solitaire, or a heavenly halo engagement ring, this is the ideal time to grab one of our 2022’s top trends.

Solitaire Engagement Rings

Oh, how we love a solitaire engagement ring! You just can’t go wrong with this timeless, classic, and simply stunning style. Not only are solitaire settings budget-friendly and allow the focus to be solely on your center stone, but they also give an understated elegance beloved by all.

Worried a solitaire is too simple? Pshaw! Go for a thick or thin band, get modern with a knife edge or a six prong shank, or amp up the style with a rope or cable band. The options go on and on!

Choose from timeless yellow gold, romantic rose gold, brilliant white gold, or go for the strength of platinum. Whichever metal or style you choose, a solitaire engagement ring will always be in style. Check out these best-sellers for inspo, and go to JamesAllen.com for more!

Halo Engagement Rings

Stand in the light of a halo when you give your loved one of our halo engagement rings. This style, where your center stone is surrounded by a literal halo of diamonds, gives your already shining ring enhanced elegance and sparkle.

Do you subscribe to the bigger is better theory? Then halo rings are for you! The halo of diamonds around your center stone will make your ring look even bigger than it is. It’s no wonder their popularity continues to grow.

After all, is more shine ever a bad thing? Take a look at some of the halos our customers just love, and check out more here!

Pavé Engagement Rings

Love the look of being surrounded by diamonds but don’t have the budget of being surrounded by diamonds, then look to the pavé! Pavé literally means to cover, as in to pave something. Pavé engagement rings feature bands that are covered in diamonds.

What is great is that the diamonds are tiny, making them affordable and allowing you to satisfy that champagne taste! All these tiny diamonds reflect light, allowing a beautiful sparkle that can be seen from every angle.

A ring that dazzles this bright is sure to get that yes! Need some inspo? These beauties are best sellers for a reason!

Fine Jewelry Black Friday Deals

Figuring out what to get all the people on your list can be a pain in the you know what! Fine jewelry to the rescue! It always makes a great gift! Whatever their style, whomever the recipient, whichever pieces are preferred, jewelry is the gift that never fails.

Gold Jewelry

There’s a reason it’s called The Gold Standard. Gold is always great; whether you prefer yellow, white, or rose, gold is the gift that keeps on going. Get in on the minimalist trend with gold pieces that you’ll never want to take off. Sport a perfect pair of gold hoop earrings, a cute cuff, an initial necklace, and a statement ring. 

Speaking of statement rings, why go for just one when you can stack ‘em? Wear them on the same finger or get multiple for different fingers because when it comes to stackable rings, it’s like holiday guests, the more the merrier!

Wear your gold jewelry together, separately, or mix and match for a clean, elegant look.

Lab Created Diamond Jewelry

Love diamonds but want to save even more? Then our lab created diamond jewelry collection is for you! Lab created diamonds are great because they are 100% real diamonds, cost less than their counterparts found in the earth, and at James Allen, are certified conflict-free.

Lab grown diamonds are also the perfect way to build your fine jewelry basics collection. Go for a timeless tennis necklace, a perfect solitaire ring, a set of cluster earrings, and a station dash bracelet to pull the collection together.

Is your best friend such a Libra? Is your sister the ultimate Gemini? Sounds like they need a piece from our gorgeous constellation collection. No matter their sign, we got the shine to match!

Complete the set with a pair of lab grown diamond hoop earrings, go for a heavenly halo ring, or choose a perfect pendant. No matter what you choose, our lab created diamond pieces are just what every jewelry box needs.

Birthstone Jewelry

Celebrate a birthday this holiday season, no matter when you were born! Rock the wintery gem of December with beautiful topaz pieces and feel hot hot hot while sporting these icy cool blues. Choose the deep red of January’s garnet and feel regal everytime you put it on.

From the deep shades of September’s sapphires to the engaging greens in May’s emeralds, birthstone jewelry looks good every month of the year. Were you born in October but have the soul of an April baby, pair a stunning opal necklace with a diamond bolo bracelet. Throw in a ruby ring for a pop of color to honor all those July babies you know and love.

James Allen’s collection of birthstone jewelry is so gorgeous you’ll wish you had a birthday every month of the year!

Black Friday Wedding Rings For Women

The James Allen Black Friday sale is also a great time to get that dream wedding ring! Whether you’re looking for your perfect wedding ring for the big day, to add a beautiful piece to your wedding ring collection, or simply want to upgrade your current wedding ring, we have the style for you.

Want a classic ring to match your timeless love? Go for one of our simply sophisticated classic wedding rings. Available in yellow, white, rose gold, and even platinum, as well as different widths, and even styles (check out our knife edge for a classic ring with a twist); we’ve got the right ring for you!

Do you need a ring that sparkles as bright as your smile? Our collection of diamond wedding rings will leave you wanting for words.

Whether you want diamonds that go on and on, like our dazzling eternity rings, or maybe you want a pavé wedding ring to match your pavé engagement ring, our seemingly endless collection of women’s wedding rings has the perfect ring waiting for you.

Black Friday Wedding Rings For Men

Your man deserves a ring that will make everyone go wow! We know this is an important purchase, one of the most important pieces of jewelry you’ll ever buy, and you don’t want to buy just any old ring. 

Classic men’s wedding rings are simply timeless. Whether you prefer a slimmer 4mm ring, or want a slightly thicker 6mm band, these enduring rings are available in varying widths, metals, and finishes. From comfort fit to slightly flat or slightly curved, these stylish rings allow you to take a classic look to the next level.

Do you love the classic look but want to give it a twist? Go for a bold, black tantalum ring. Whether you prefer one with a pattern, a satin finish, or one mixed with gold, there are so many choices for men’s wedding rings that you are sure to find your favorite.

Final Thoughts

It’s never a bad thing to be ahead of the game, at least when it comes to holiday shopping! Get that list, check it twice, and finish shopping before everyone else has even started. As they elbow their way through the crowds and set their alarms before the sun, you’ll be fast asleep, dreaming of how you got gifts everyone will love and at a discount. So head on over to JamesAllen.com because sparkle season starts now!

sarahc

Sarah Axelrad

With over 10 years of experience writing and editing on a wide variety of subjects, Sarah is a veteran of the content world. Since joining James Allen, she has focused on all things diamonds and fine jewelry with the goal of educating and empowering consumers.

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