Marcus Tempus
A beautiful celebration of colour and brilliance, this elegant pendant centres upon a natural fancy yellow diamond, framed by a delicate halo of sparkling white diamonds.
The golden tones of the centre diamond create a striking contrast against the surrounding white diamonds, allowing its distinctive colour to become the focus of the design. Rather than relying on scale alone, the halo brings additional light and definition to the yellow diamond, highlighting the warmth and character that make naturally coloured diamonds so captivating.
Fancy coloured diamonds are prized for their rarity and individuality, with each stone possessing its own nuances of colour and personality. The sunny yellow hue gives this pendant a warmth that feels both sophisticated and wonderfully distinctive, while the classic halo setting ensures it remains timeless.
Whether chosen to mark a special occasion or simply for the pleasure of owning something a little extraordinary, this is a piece that celebrates one of nature's most fascinating gemstones.
Part of The House of Gemstones collection, where exceptional gemstones meet timeless craftsmanship.
Natural fancy yellow diamond centre stone
Natural white diamond surround
Classic diamond halo design
Beautiful contrast between yellow and white diamonds
Individually distinctive natural fancy colour
Elegant and timeless pendant design
A distinctive alternative to a traditional white diamond pendant
The House of Gemstones
Natural fancy yellow diamonds are diamonds whose body colour is sufficiently distinctive to be considered beyond the traditional D–Z colour scale. Their yellow colour is most commonly associated with nitrogen within the diamond crystal.
Each stone is judged as an individual. Hue, tone, saturation, colour distribution and rarity can have an enormous influence on desirability.
Yellow Born in Nature
Nitrogen incorporated into the crystal during formation can give natural diamonds their distinctive yellow colour.Fancy yellow diamonds share diamond's exceptional resistance to scratching, but they can still chip or cleave if subjected to a sharp impact.
Understanding Natural Yellow
Yellow colour is commonly associated with nitrogen atoms incorporated into the diamond crystal as it formed.
Nitrogen-related defects can absorb parts of visible light, allowing the diamond's characteristic yellow appearance to emerge.
The concentration and arrangement of nitrogen, together with the diamond's cut, can influence the strength and distribution of its visible colour.
Golden Light
Yellow is one of the best-known natural fancy diamond colours. Its colour is commonly associated with nitrogen incorporated into the crystal as the diamond formed.
Unlike diamonds graded within the D–Z range, stronger yellow colour can become increasingly desirable once the stone is classified as a fancy colour diamond. Rich, even saturation is particularly prized.
The Language of Colour
Fancy yellow diamonds are assessed differently from colourless diamonds. The dominant hue, any modifying colours, the lightness or darkness of the stone and the strength of its saturation all contribute to its appearance and grade.
The visible colour or combination of colours.
How light or dark the colour appears.
The strength or intensity of the colour.
Colour Intensity
Terminology varies with the individual stone and grading laboratory. Natural coloured diamonds may fall within the D–Z range at lower colour strengths, while stones meeting fancy colour criteria are described using recognised fancy intensity grades. The exact wording should always be taken from the accompanying laboratory report where one is present.
The Character of Yellow
Fancy yellow diamonds can range from relatively pure yellow to colours influenced by modifying hues. The exact description depends on the appearance of the individual stone and, where applicable, the terminology used by the grading laboratory.
For important stones, the laboratory report should be used for the formal colour description rather than relying on appearance alone.
Beauty Through Cutting
With colourless diamonds, cutting often focuses heavily on maximising light return. In fancy yellow diamonds, cutters may also use facet arrangement, proportions and shape to strengthen the face-up appearance and distribution of colour while retaining as much valuable weight as practical.
What Matters Most?
Clarity remains an important characteristic, but colour is usually the dominant value factor in a natural fancy colour diamond. A stone with visible inclusions may still be highly desirable if its colour is rare, attractive and strongly saturated.
Carat weight, cut, clarity, colour distribution and rarity all remain part of the complete assessment.
Transparency Matters
Natural diamonds can be treated to alter or enhance their colour. Processes such as irradiation, annealing or HPHT treatment can produce or modify colour, so determining whether colour is natural is especially important for valuable fancy yellow diamonds.
Where a treatment is known or identified, it should be clearly disclosed. At Marcus Tempus, we favour natural diamonds in their untreated state and source from trusted suppliers, while assessing stones and supporting documentation individually.
Colour produced through natural geological processes during or after formation.
High pressure and high temperature treatment can alter the colour of some diamonds.
Controlled irradiation can modify diamond colour and requires disclosure.
Heating may be used with other processes to alter the resulting colour.
Independent Assessment
For important natural fancy yellow diamonds, an independent laboratory report can be particularly valuable because it may describe the colour origin, colour grade, carat weight, clarity and other identifying characteristics.
GIA
IGI
HRD Antwerp
Recognised independent gemmological laboratories include GIA, IGI and HRD Antwerp. Natural diamonds may be accompanied by an independent grading report from one of these or another recognised laboratory. The laboratory and type of report will vary depending on the individual diamond; the logos shown here do not imply that every Marcus Tempus diamond is graded by these laboratories.
Responsible Sourcing
We favour trusted suppliers and transparent sourcing wherever possible. Provenance and documentation can vary according to the age, size and market history of an individual diamond or piece of jewellery, so each is assessed on its own merits.
Marcus Tempus Diamond Selection
We consider the complete visual character of each natural fancy colour diamond, including hue, saturation, tone, colour distribution, cut, clarity, carat weight and rarity. Where an independent grading report is supplied, it forms part of our assessment rather than replacing examination of the stone itself.
Marcus Tempus Bespoke
A natural fancy colour diamond can become the starting point for a completely individual piece. Metal colour, surrounding diamonds and setting style can all be chosen to complement or intensify the centre stone's natural colour.
Natural fancy yellow diamonds vary enormously in availability and rarity. Particular combinations of colour, intensity, size, shape and clarity may require specialist sourcing.
Enquire About Bespoke Options →Fancy Colour Diamond Questions
A natural fancy colour diamond displays body colour sufficiently distinctive to be assessed using fancy colour terminology rather than solely within the traditional D–Z scale.
Yellow colour can occur naturally in diamond, commonly through the presence of nitrogen. Diamonds can also be colour treated, which is why disclosure and appropriate testing matter.
Colour intensity, hue and distribution are major factors, considered alongside carat weight, clarity, cut, rarity and the overall beauty of the individual diamond.
Clarity matters, but colour is often the dominant consideration in a fancy colour diamond, particularly when the hue and saturation are rare.
Yes. Some diamond colours can be produced or modified by treatment, so known treatments should be disclosed and important stones may benefit from independent laboratory assessment.
No. A grading report records gemmological characteristics, while a valuation assesses the complete item's value for a stated purpose.
