Yellow diamonds in Fashion

When it comes to the yellow diamond, there is no doubt that it has found itself rising in popularity within the fashion industry as the ultimate fashion accessory. Part of this success in popularity can be attributed to famous celebrities sporting yellow diamond engagement rings as an alternative to the traditionally favoured white diamonds. Here are a few reasons why yellow diamonds are succeeding in fashion:

Colour

There is no doubt that colour has always played a huge part in the influence of fashion. A colour change has been proven to change moods, alter stress and give people confidence. The colour yellow, in particular, has been found to give people a happier, relaxed mood due to the bright cheery tones of the colour. Yellow diamonds are therefore perfect to not only embolden the cheerful message that yellow brings forth, but are able to tie brilliantly within an outfit – highlighting the warm and colourful nature of the outfit chosen.

Yellow diamonds come in a variety colours which are broken down into different grades. Fancy Vivid yellow diamonds carry a bright vibrant yellow colour whereas the other colour grades such as the Fancy Intense, Fancy and Fancy Light ratings for the diamond less saturated with colour.

Trendsetting

When it comes to yellow diamonds, where previously they hadn’t received as much public attention as they have since garnered in recent years – they have still been able to maintain a pivotal point within trends. In 2016 as trends tended to point toward the use of coloured gemstones – the yellow diamond remained an excellent choice as it balanced sophistication and affordability. This is due to the fact although diamonds are extremely rare in current markets, yellow diamonds take up over 60% of all marketed yellow diamonds.

In 2017, with trends coming towards a combination of both coloured precious gemstones, accompanied by the white diamond – the yellow diamond remained one of the most popular gemstones favoured with celebrities and royalty alike donning the spectacular diamonds. With coloured gemstones in the new year still forecasted to be a stable trend for both engagement and wedding rings – there is no doubt that the yellow diamond will maintain its spot as a leading trend must have.

Staple for fashion icons

When it comes to fashion, there have always been trendsetters that have always pioneered the way. Use of the yellow diamond has long been a favoured among some of the fashion elite, here are a few well-known examples:

• Marilyn Monroe, a historical fashion and Hollywood icon sported the canary yellow diamond known The Moon of Baroda. This necklace stood as a notable fashion accessory for the starlet during her career – weighing in an impressive 24.01 carats. The diamond was cut in a pear shape and was originally owned by the Gaekwad Maharajas of Baroda. Later given to Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, it remained with the Habsburg dynasty. Before its dissolution in 1780 the diamond was returned to the Gaekwad family and again sold in the early 1920’s to an unknown buyer, finally surfacing in 1943 where the diamond was purchased by Meyer Rosenbaum. It was then given to Marilyn Monroe by Mr Rosenbaum where she proceeded to wear it for two of her most famously noted film roles – despite its history of giving its owner bad luck.

• Audrey Hepburn who in 1961 wore the Tiffany Yellow Diamond, during her promotional tour for Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Being a stylized fashion icon of the era, the diamond was well celebrated for its stunning contrast and beauty. The diamond weighed an impressive 128.54 carats and carried an antique cushion brilliant cut. Found in 1878 in the Kimberley mine in South Africa, the only other woman to have donned the stunning diamond was Mrs Sheldon Whitehouse who wore the diamond in 1957 when she attended the Tiffany Ball at Rhode Island.

• Elizabeth Taylor most famously added a gorgeous daisy necklace – whose centres contained bright yellow diamonds, and whose petals were made of beautiful white diamond. The necklace was part of a set including a brooch and earrings that accompanied the necklace. Like any fashion icon of the time she had initially borrowed the necklace to pair with a stunning yellow Valentino dress which she wore to the 1993 Academy Awards. Proclaiming the necklace was a source of good fortune after she was presented with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award she proceeded to purchase the entire set.

Celebrity endorsed

There is no doubt that the red carpet is one of the most famous locations for displaying the very best that fashion has to offer. Recently the yellow diamond has been seen on the red carpet by Academy Award winners Kate Winslet and Natalie Portman. Kate Winslet sported a 2.5 million dollar yellow diamond set, including necklace, earrings and bracelets – estimated at around 10 carats. Natalie Portman wore a more understated pair of yellow diamond earrings, complementing her stunning white and silver embellished dress. Other celebrities who have popularised the yellow diamond include:

Hilary Clinton – who was seen wearing the spectacular Kahn Canary Diamond during her husband Bill Clinton’s presidential term. The diamond was found by George Stepp in 1977 and was discovered in the Crater of Diamonds State Park. Remaining uncut, the Kahn Canary diamond came in 4.25 carats and was internally flawless.

Jessica Alba – wore a fantastic yellow diamond set of earrings upon her attendance to the 80th Annual Academy Awards. The earrings were a creole hoop set, weighing in an impressive 20.82 carats in total.

Romantic highlight

Fashion has long been an extension of a person’s self-expression and emotion. Quite alike fashions effect on individual emotion, the yellow diamond has been perfect for conveying the emotions of love through a stunning engagement ring. Here are few examples of celebrities combining romance and fashion with their very own customised yellow diamond engagement rings:

Kelly Clarkson – presented with a 5 carat canary diamond in 2012 upon her engagement to manager Brandon Blackstock. The halo setting was surrounded by white diamonds and was styled by Johnathon Arndt.

Jennifer Lopez – upon her engagement to now ex-husband Marc Anthony received a beautiful 8-carat solitaire diamond ring which is said to be estimated at $300 000.

Carrie Underwood – presented with a flawless canary diamond, estimated to be worth about $150 000 upon her engagement to Mike Fisher a professional hockey player. As with Kelly Clarkson’s engagement ring, this ring was also designed by designer Johnathon Arndt.

Heidi Klum – upon her engagement to now ex-husband Seal received a beautiful 10-carat oval yellow diamond engagement ring placed in a prong setting. The ring was presented to her on top of a glacier and was notably design by the famous Lorraine Schwartz.

Rebecca Romijn – this well-known model and actress received a beautiful fancy yellow diamond engagement ring upon her engagement to Jerry O’Connell. She later converted the engagement ring into a stacked ring with the help of designer Lorraine Schwartz.

Paris Hilton – received a stunning 24-carat canary diamond ring, set to be worth $4.7 million dollars upon her engagement to Paris Latsis back in 2005. The ring was presented to Paris as a token “love” ring, as she later was given a secondary ring that carried more traditional white diamond styles.