Everything You Need to Know

A New World of Diamond Colour

Diamonds have always been associated with timeless brilliance, but today, they are no longer limited to classic colourless beauty. From romantic pink and sunshine yellow to captivating blue and sophisticated green, fancy coloured lab-grown diamonds are bringing a fresh personality to modern fine jewelry.

Created using advanced technology and designed by nature-inspired science, these diamonds combine the beauty and durability people expect from diamonds with a spectacular spectrum of colours.

At Ring of Solitaire, we believe a diamond should be more than beautiful—it should feel personal. Whether you are looking for a colourful engagement ring, a distinctive pendant, or jewelry that simply stands apart, fancy coloured lab-grown diamonds offer exciting possibilities.

But what exactly makes a diamond “fancy coloured”? How are these colours created? And what should you consider before choosing one?

Here is everything you need to know.

What Are Fancy Coloured Lab-Grown Diamonds?

Fancy coloured lab-grown diamonds are diamonds created in controlled laboratory environments that display noticeable colours such as yellow, pink, blue, green, orange and other shades.

Like colourless laboratory-grown diamonds, they are produced using technology that recreates the conditions necessary for diamond crystal growth. The two primary methods used to grow diamonds are High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).

Laboratory-grown diamonds have the same fundamental diamond crystal structure and are assessed for qualities such as carat weight, colour, clarity and cut. Gemological laboratories use specialized equipment to determine whether a diamond is natural or laboratory-grown.

The biggest visual difference with fancy coloured diamonds is simple: colour becomes part of the beauty rather than something to minimise.

What Makes a Diamond “Fancy Coloured”?

Traditional white diamonds are generally evaluated according to how little colour they display. However, once a diamond shows colour outside the standard colourless-to-light-yellow range—or possesses sufficiently strong yellow or brown colour—it may be classified within the fancy-colour category.

Fancy coloured diamonds are evaluated differently because the objective is no longer the absence of colour. Instead, gemologists examine characteristics such as hue, tone and saturation to describe the diamond's colour appearance.

In simple terms:

Hue refers to the actual colour you see.

Tone describes how light or dark that colour appears.

Saturation describes how weak or intense the colour is.

A beautifully saturated diamond can create an incredibly vivid appearance, making colour one of the most important elements when selecting a fancy coloured stone.

How Are Coloured Lab-Grown Diamonds Created?

The fascinating part of fancy coloured lab-grown diamonds is that their appearance is closely connected to the diamond's growth conditions and atomic-level characteristics.

Diamonds can be grown using HPHT or CVD technology. During growth, different elements, conditions or crystal defects can influence how the finished diamond interacts with light.

In some cases, colour may develop during the growth process itself. In others, permanent post-growth treatments may be used to modify or enhance the colour.

Research from GIA has documented laboratory-grown diamonds displaying a variety of colours created through different growth chemistries and treatments.

When purchasing a coloured lab-grown diamond, a reputable grading report is especially useful because it can identify the diamond as laboratory-grown and provide relevant information about its colour and treatments. IGI notes permanent treatments in the comments section of its fancy coloured diamond reports.

The Beautiful Colours You Can Explore

One of the greatest attractions of lab-grown diamonds is the incredible creative freedom colour provides. Depending on availability and production methods, you may find diamonds displaying shades including:

• Pink: Romantic, feminine and distinctive—perfect for engagement rings and meaningful gifts.

• Blue: Cool, sophisticated and striking, especially when paired with white gold or platinum tones.

• Yellow: Bright, warm and joyful, making it beautiful with both yellow and white metals.

• Green: Unusual and contemporary for someone looking for something genuinely different.

• Orange: Warm, vibrant and full of personality.

• Purple: Elegant and artistic, creating a luxurious modern look.

• Brown or Champagne-Inspired Shades: Rich, warm tones that work beautifully in understated fine jewelry.

Gemological grading organisations recognise fancy coloured diamonds across a broad spectrum, including yellow, pink, orange, purple, green and blue.

No single colour is universally “best.” The right colour is simply the one that connects with your personal style.

Understanding Fancy Colour Intensity

When shopping for fancy coloured diamonds, you may notice descriptions indicating different levels of colour intensity.

These descriptions help communicate how strongly the diamond displays its colour.

A softer diamond may offer a delicate pastel appearance, while a highly saturated diamond can deliver a bold statement from across the room.

For example, IGI has documented laboratory-grown diamonds across categories including Fancy, Fancy Intense and Fancy Vivid, demonstrating how dramatically saturation can affect the appearance of coloured diamonds.

This is why two pink diamonds of similar size may look completely different beside one another.

When choosing yours, do not focus only on the words written on the certificate. Look at how the colour actually appears and how beautifully it complements the design.

Does Cut Matter in a Fancy Coloured Diamond?

Absolutely.

Cut plays an important role in how any diamond interacts with light, but coloured diamonds introduce another consideration: the way the shape and faceting influence the appearance and distribution of colour.

Some cuts can make colour appear stronger across the face of the diamond, while poor craftsmanship may create unwanted areas of darkness or uneven appearance.

Fancy shapes—including oval, radiant, cushion, pear, emerald, marquise and heart shapes—can create particularly distinctive coloured-diamond jewelry.

Gemological laboratories assess characteristics such as polish and symmetry, and IGI's methodology for fancy-shaped diamonds additionally considers proportions, craftsmanship and light return when assigning an optional overall cut grade.

So when choosing a coloured diamond, consider colour and cut together, rather than viewing them as completely separate qualities.

What About Clarity?

Clarity describes internal and external characteristics visible within a diamond.

Fancy coloured lab-grown diamonds can receive clarity grades ranging across the same general clarity categories used for other diamonds, from extremely clean stones to diamonds containing more visible inclusions.

However, the highest clarity grade is not always necessary for creating beautiful jewelry.

A diamond that appears clean to the unaided eye can be a wonderful choice, particularly when colour is meant to be the centre of attention.

The best approach is to balance colour, cut, clarity and carat weight according to your priorities rather than automatically chasing the highest grade in every category.

Are Fancy Coloured Lab-Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?

Yes. Laboratory-grown diamonds are diamonds rather than diamond simulants such as cubic zirconia.

Their origin is different from natural diamonds: one forms through geological processes within the Earth, while the other is grown using technology in a controlled environment.

Because the differences associated with origin may require specialist testing, professional gemological laboratories use advanced instruments to determine whether diamonds are natural or laboratory-grown.

This distinction is important when shopping.

Always look for clear disclosure that identifies a stone as laboratory-grown.

Why Are Fancy Coloured Lab-Grown Diamonds Becoming So Popular?

The appeal goes far beyond colour.

More Creative Freedom

Traditional colourless diamonds create timeless jewelry. Fancy colours, meanwhile, open the door to something more expressive.

A blush-pink oval diamond creates an entirely different feeling from an icy blue radiant cut or a vivid yellow cushion.

Your jewelry can feel much more personal.

Greater Access to Statement Designs

Natural fancy coloured diamonds can be exceptionally rare. Lab-grown production makes striking coloured-diamond looks available to a broader range of jewelry buyers, although prices still vary significantly depending on colour, size, cut and quality.

This can give shoppers more freedom to explore larger stones, distinctive colours or more elaborate designs within their chosen budget.

Modern Style

Coloured lab-grown diamonds are ideal for buyers who appreciate classic fine jewelry but want something beyond the traditional.

They allow timeless silhouettes—solitaires, halos, three-stone rings and tennis-inspired designs—to feel completely new.

Choosing the Perfect Fancy Coloured Lab-Grown Diamond

Start with the colour that attracts you naturally.

Instead of beginning with specifications, imagine the finished piece.

Do you want something soft and romantic?

A pink oval or cushion diamond may suit your vision.

Do you prefer a sophisticated statement?

Consider a blue radiant or emerald-shaped diamond.

Want something warm and joyful?

A yellow cushion, radiant or oval diamond can make a beautiful centrepiece.

Once you have chosen your preferred colour, compare its intensity, cut, size and clarity.

Most importantly, look at the diamond as a complete object.

A grading report provides valuable technical information, but jewelry is ultimately something you experience visually and emotionally.

Choosing the Right Metal for Your Coloured Diamond

The metal surrounding your diamond can influence how its colour feels.

White gold or platinum-toned settings can provide crisp contrast and work beautifully with pink, blue and green diamonds.

Yellow gold can complement yellow, orange and warm-toned diamonds while creating a rich, luxurious finish.

Rose gold can create a romantic pairing with pink diamonds and softer pastel shades.

You can also combine metals creatively.

For example, a coloured centre stone may be set in white metal prongs to maintain visual contrast while the rest of the ring is crafted in yellow or rose gold.

Small details can dramatically change the final personality of your jewelry.

Fancy Coloured Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Rings

An engagement ring does not have to follow tradition to feel timeless.

Fancy coloured diamonds allow couples to choose a ring that reflects their relationship rather than simply following convention.

Imagine a pink oval diamond surrounded by a delicate hidden halo.

A vivid yellow radiant diamond set between colourless side stones.

A blue cushion-cut solitaire on a sleek white-gold band.

Or a romantic three-stone design combining coloured and colourless lab-grown diamonds.

Each creates a completely different story.

At Ring of Solitaire, we see colour as an opportunity to transform an engagement ring into something deeply personal.

Certification: What Should You Look For?

Whenever possible, review an independent grading report for important diamond purchases.

For fancy coloured diamonds, the report may contain information including the diamond's laboratory-grown origin, measurements, carat weight, fancy colour description, clarity and other gemological characteristics.

IGI's Fancy Colored Diamond Report, for example, identifies whether the diamond is natural or laboratory-grown and documents its fancy colour and relevant grading information.

Certification helps you understand exactly what you are purchasing rather than relying only on appearance or marketing descriptions.

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds a More Sustainable Choice?

Lab-grown diamonds do not require diamond mining because they are produced in controlled manufacturing environments.

However, sustainability is more complex than simply comparing “mined” and “lab-grown.” Laboratory diamond production requires energy, and the environmental footprint can vary depending on factors such as the production technology and source of electricity.

For environmentally conscious shoppers, transparency matters.

Rather than relying on broad sustainability claims, look for clear information about how and where diamonds are produced whenever those factors influence your purchase.

How to Care for Fancy Coloured Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry

Diamonds are exceptionally hard, but fine jewelry still deserves proper care.

Keep your coloured diamond jewelry away from unnecessary impact and store individual pieces separately to reduce scratching between metals and gemstones.

For routine cleaning, gentle jewelry-safe cleaning methods can help remove oils and everyday residue that reduce brilliance.

Engagement rings and frequently worn pieces should also be professionally inspected periodically so the setting, prongs and stones can be checked.

Good care ensures that the colour and sparkle you fell in love with continue looking beautiful for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are fancy coloured lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds have diamond's characteristic crystal structure and properties. Their defining difference from natural diamonds is their laboratory-grown rather than geological origin. Specialized testing can identify that origin.

What colours are available in lab-grown diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds can appear in numerous colours, including pink, blue, yellow, green, orange and purple, along with mixed or secondary hues. Availability depends on the growth method, treatments, size and specifications.

Are fancy coloured lab-grown diamonds certified?

They can be. Independent laboratories such as IGI issue reports for fancy coloured diamonds that identify origin and describe relevant colour and quality characteristics.

Can coloured lab-grown diamonds be used for engagement rings?

Absolutely. Their durability and variety of shapes and colours make them suitable for engagement rings, wedding jewelry and other fine jewelry when appropriately designed and set.

Which coloured diamond is best for an engagement ring?

There is no single ideal colour. Pink offers a romantic appearance, blue creates a sophisticated look, yellow feels warm and vibrant, while green and other unusual shades provide something distinctive. Choose the colour you would be happy to see every day.

Do coloured lab-grown diamonds require special care?

They can generally be cared for like other diamond jewelry. Regular gentle cleaning, safe storage and periodic inspection of the setting are recommended.

Find Your Colour. Tell Your Story.

For generations, diamonds have symbolised moments worth remembering.

Fancy coloured lab-grown diamonds give that tradition a new language—one filled with personality, creativity and colour.

Whether you are drawn to romantic pink, striking blue, vibrant yellow or something completely unexpected, the perfect diamond should feel unmistakably yours.

At Ring of Solitaire, we celebrate jewelry that feels personal rather than ordinary. Explore beautiful lab-grown diamond designs and discover a piece created to reflect your individual story.

Your story deserves more than sparkle. Give it colour with Ring of Solitaire.