Diamonds come in a variety of colors, and the price can vary greatly depending on the color. Some diamond colors, like colorless or near colorless diamonds, are quite expensive and considered more desirable. Other colored diamonds, like brown and yellow diamonds, tend to be much more affordable. So when it comes to finding the cheapest diamond color, here are some options to consider:
Yellow Diamonds
Yellow diamonds are one of the most common and affordable diamond colors. They get their yellow color from nitrogen impurities present when the diamond was formed. The more saturated the yellow color, the less rare and desirable the diamond is considered. As a result, light yellow diamonds are the most inexpensive.
Here is an overview of yellow diamond pricing:
| Yellow Diamond Color | Price Range per Carat |
|---|---|
| Fancy Light Yellow | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Fancy Yellow | $3,500 – $5,000 |
| Fancy Intense Yellow | $5,000 – $8,000 |
| Fancy Vivid Yellow | $8,000 – $12,000 |
As you can see, light yellow diamonds are the most affordable, starting at around $1,500 per carat. The more saturated and vivid the yellow, the higher the price goes. But even at the high end, vivid yellow diamonds max out at around $12,000 per carat – quite inexpensive compared to colorless diamonds which can range from $2,500 per carat all the way up to $20,000+ per carat for very high quality.
So if you want a yellow diamond, going with a lighter shade is the way to go for maximizing size while minimizing cost. Fancy light yellow diamonds offer an attractive yellow color at a fraction of the price of colorless diamonds.
Brown Diamonds
Brown is another diamond color that is common and inexpensive. Like yellow diamonds, the brown color comes from nitrogen impurities present when the diamond formed. The more saturated the brown color, the less rare and desirable the diamond is considered.
Here’s an overview on brown diamond pricing:
| Brown Diamond Color | Price Range per Carat |
|---|---|
| Fancy Light Brown | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Fancy Brown | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Fancy Intense Brown | $4,000 – $6,000 |
| Fancy Deep Brown | $6,000 – $10,000 |
Light brown diamonds are only about $1,000 to $2,000 per carat – extremely affordable even for large diamond sizes. As the brown color intensity increases, so does the price. But overall, even the deepest shades of saturated brown diamonds max out at around $10,000 per carat – still a bargain compared to high quality colorless diamonds.
For shoppers on a tight budget, choosing a light to medium brown diamond is an excellent way to get more diamond for less money. The brown color is unique and distinct compared to plain colorless diamonds.
Champagne Diamonds
Champagne diamonds are yet another affordable diamond option. Ranging from light champagne to an intense champagne color, they get their color from nitrogen impurities present during their formation. Here is how champagne diamond pricing typically breaks down:
| Champagne Diamond Color | Price Range per Carat |
|---|---|
| Fancy Light Champagne | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Fancy Champagne | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Fancy Intense Champagne | $5,000 – $7,000 |
| Fancy Deep Champagne | $7,000 – $9,000 |
With light champagne diamonds starting at just $1,500 per carat, this warm diamond color is an inexpensive option compared to colorless diamonds. Even more saturated champagne colors max out at around $9,000 per carat for deep champagne shades. The light champagne hue in particular allows for big diamond sizes on a limited budget.
Gray Diamonds
Gray is an uncommon diamond color that offers affordable pricing. These diamonds get their dark gray or charcoal color from hydrogen impurities present during their formation. Due to the unique color, gray diamonds are far more affordable than plain colorless diamonds. Here’s an overview of gray diamond pricing:
| Gray Diamond Color | Price Range per Carat |
|---|---|
| Fancy Light Gray | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Fancy Gray | $3,500 – $6,000 |
| Fancy Dark Gray | $6,000 – $9,000 |
| Fancy Deep Gray | $9,000 – $12,000 |
With light gray diamonds starting at around $1,500 per carat, this unique color is an inexpensive choice compared to plain white diamonds. The gray color remains affordable even when more saturated, with deep gray diamonds maxing out at around $12,000 per carat. For diamond shoppers wanting something more unusual, gray diamonds deliver distinctive style at bargain prices.
Black Diamonds
Black diamonds are true statement stones. Owing their inky black color to inclusions of graphite or sulfide, black diamonds have a mystique and allure unmatched by other diamond colors. But because the black color is so intense, they are more affordable than other diamond colors:
| Black Diamond Color | Price Range per Carat |
|---|---|
| Fancy Black | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Fancy Intense Black | $4,000 – $6,500 |
| Fancy Deep Black | $6,500 – $15,000 |
Even at the deepest “Deep Black” color, these dramatic diamonds are less than $15,000 per carat. Compared to similarly saturated fancy vivid pink or blue diamonds that can easily run upwards of $1 million per carat, black diamonds are far more affordable. Their mystical appeal and ultra dark color remains alluring despite the lower price tag.
Conclusion
When shopping on a budget, diamond color is key. While rare and coveted colors like pink, red, and blue come with sky-high prices, more common colors like yellow, brown, champagne, gray, and black are extremely affordable. In particular, light and medium shades of these diamond colors offer dramatic savings compared to colorless diamonds – sometimes up to 10x less!
Prioritizing diamond cut and clarity over color can also help maximize affordability without sacrificing sparkle and brilliance. There are plenty of stunning colored diamonds available for under $5,000 per carat. For beautiful diamonds at bargain prices, yellow, brown, champagne, gray and black are all excellent inexpensive choices.
