Engagement Rings & Weddings
Bright, Rare and Famous: A Yellow Diamond Ring Adds the Perfect Pop of Color
By Hannah Militano, July 31, 2025
From Spice Girls to supermodels, the yellow diamond ring has dazzled on the hands of Victoria Beckham, Heidi Klum, and Beyoncé,
Zendaya wears her yellow diamond ring during the promotion of the film “Challengers” at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 13, 2024. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP)
Looking to brighten your jewelry box? There’s no better way to channel a little sunshine than with a yellow diamond ring—the rare, radiant gemstone that’s captivated some of the world’s most stylish women (and a few men, too).
It all started in 1992, when supermodel Iman debuted her approximately 10-carat yellow diamond engagement ring from David Bowie, sparking a modern-day obsession. Since then, icons like Heidi Klum, Anna Kournikova, Victoria Beckham, Olivia Palermo, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood—and even Zendaya, who gifted one to herself—have fallen under the yellow diamond ring spell.
Whether you’re dreaming of a bold engagement ring or a statement cocktail sparkler, yellow diamonds deliver both elegance and edge. Ahead, discover everything you need to know about the golden-hued gem—from celebrity favorites and legendary stones to expert shopping tips and styling advice.
Meet the Experts
Grant Mobley is the Jewelry & Watch Editor of Only Natural Diamonds. He is a GIA Diamonds Graduate. He has over 17 years of jewelry industry experience, starting with growing up in his family’s retail jewelry stores.
Victoria Wirth Reynolds was appointed the Chief Gemologist of Tiffany & Co. in 2020 as the jeweler expanded its diamond traceability program. Reynolds has worked for Tiffany & Co. for over 37 years, with roles including Vice President of High Jewelry.
What Are Yellow Diamonds and How Do They Get Their Color?
A natural yellow diamond gets its vibrant color from the presence of nitrogen during its formation. While most diamonds contain some nitrogen, it’s typically only enough to produce subtle yellow hints in an otherwise colorless stone.
The intensity of the yellow hue can range from faint to deep. The most vivid shades are often informally referred to as “canary yellow” or “canary diamonds” to describe stones with a strong, pure yellow hue, free of any brown or green undertones.
Fancy-color diamonds represent only 0.4% of all diamonds graded by the GIA over the past two decades. While fancy yellow diamonds are still incredibly rare, they are the most abundant among fancy-colored diamonds, which makes them relatively more affordable. Their rarity and unique beauty make them an ideal choice for those seeking a standout gemstone, as well as a perfect entry point into the world of fancy-colored diamonds.
According to diamond expert Grant Mobley, “The most common color grading scale for diamonds ranges from D to Z; D is completely colorless, while Z contains enough nitrogen in the right place to give the diamond a visible color.” He explains, “When enough nitrogen gets properly trapped inside a diamond’s forming crystal structure, the diamond can transcend its Z color classification. Instead, it can be identified as a ‘fancy-color diamond’ that presents itself in an unlimited range of beautiful yellow and brown colors.”
While colorless diamonds are graded for their clarity and lack of color, yellow diamonds (and other fancy colors) are evaluated based on the richness and intensity of their hue. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) classifies them as light, intense, or vivid. The deeper the color, the higher the price—meaning pale tones are often more affordable than their colorless counterparts.
Celebrity Engagements That Made the Yellow Diamond Ring Iconic
David Bowie Proposed to Iman With a Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring
Iman wore her yellow diamond engagement ring at the 1995 VH1 Fashion and Music Awards. According to The History of Diamond Engagement Rings, music legend David Bowie proposed to the supermodel in 1992 with an approximately 10-carat radiant-cut yellow diamond by Lorraine Schwartz, kicking off the trend.
Anna Kournikova’s Yellow Diamond Ring from Enrique Iglesias
Russian tennis star Anna Kournikova first revealed her gigantic pink diamond ring from Latin musician Enrique Iglesias during the 2004 World Team Tennis game, stirring engagement rumors, though the long-time couple never confirmed or denied they were officially engaged. The 11-carat pear-shaped Argyle natural pink diamond is anchored by two trillion-cut white diamonds on either side.
After that, the artist gave her a second engagement ring – a radiant-cut yellow diamond ring, flanked by trillion-cut diamonds. According to Brides, the ring was valued at $5.4 million at the time and is now worth around $9 million.
Seal Proposed to Heidi Klum With a Canary Yellow Diamond Ring
British musician Seal proposed to German supermodel Heidi Klum in an igloo at a ski resort in Canada over the holidays in December 2004. Now one of the most memorable celebrity engagement rings, he popped the question with a gigantic 10-carat oval-shaped canary yellow diamond engagement ring, set with a thin pavé-set yellow diamond band.
The sparkler came courtesy of renowned celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz. According to Vogue, the ring cost at least $150,000 at the time. One year later, the couple married in Mexico in May 2005. Sadly, the couple divorced in October of 2014.
Victoria Beckham’s Yellow Diamond Rings: A Style Evolution
Victoria Beckham has racked up an impressive collection of 15 different engagement rings throughout her 26-year marriage to legendary footballer David Beckham. But in 2006, Victoria debuted an emerald-cut yellow diamond ring set in a yellow gold pavé band, which she typically wore with two stacked matching eternity bands.
Her next yellow diamond ring was first spotted in 2018. Victoria has been continuously sporting a fancy intense natural yellow diamond set on a thin yellow gold pavé band for a couple of years now, with the ring’s most recent sighting being in 2022.
Iconic Yellow Diamond Rings That Go Beyond Engagements
David Beckham Wore a Yellow Diamond Ring at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards
Victoria and David Beckham attended the 2003 MTV Movie Awards, dripping in crisp white matching Dolce & Gabbana ensembles and diamonds. While Victoria adorned a large emerald-cut diamond flanked with two side baguette stones and a platinum band, David sported a hefty yellow diamond ring with white diamond side stones.
Beyoncé’s 50-Carat Yellow Diamond Ring Was Red Carpet Royalty
Attending the Grammy Awards solo for the first time in 2004, Beyoncé sparkled in a gilded gold gown, teamed with a massive Lorraine Schwartz yellow diamond ring, wrapped in a white diamond halo and a pavé diamond split shank band. Throughout the entirety of the red carpet, Queen Bey showed off the 50+ carat ring, dangling her blinged out finger in front of cameras. Beyoncé’s debut solo album Dangerously in Love, snagged her various Grammy Awards, including the Best Contemporary R&B album award and Best R&B song for “Crazy in Love.”
Zendaya’s Self-Gifted Yellow Diamond Ring from Bulgari
Zendaya had an incredible year in 2021. After she became the youngest woman ever to win a Best Actress Emmy for her role in Euphoria, she went on to star in Spider Man: No Way Home and Dune. In celebration of all of her success, Zendaya gifted herself a yellow diamond ring flanked by two white diamond side-stones from Bulgari.
“This is my splurge, my treat-myself,” Zendaya told British Vogue at the time. “I do get a little employee discount.” The actress has been a Global Brand Ambassador for Bulgari since 2020. She went on to add, “It feels like it’s gonna be an heirloom, like one day I can give it to my grandchildren.” The ring was spotted on her finger at the 2021 Venice Film Festival, and again in 2024 while she was promoting her film Challengers at the Monte Carlo Country Club.
The Most Famous Yellow Diamond Rings in History
Throughout history, some of these rare treasures have been admired for their unmatched brilliance and prestige. Some of the most legendary diamonds in existence are yellow, reinforcing their status as symbols of luxury and exclusivity.
The Tiffany Diamond
The Tiffany diamond is chief among some of the largest and finest Fancy yellow diamonds in the world. The Tiffany Diamond is a 128.54-carat cushion-cut Fancy Yellow diamond and one of the most celebrated gemstones in the world. Discovered in 1877 in South Africa and acquired by Charles Lewis Tiffany, it became a symbol of Tiffany & Co.’s legacy of excellence and earned him the nickname “The King of Diamonds.” Socialite Mary Whitehouse, Audrey Hepburn, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé are the only 4 women to have ever worn the jewel.
As the foremost authority on yellow diamonds, Tiffany & Co. Chief Gemologist Victoria Wirth Reynolds says, “One of the world’s largest and rarest fancy yellow diamonds, the Tiffany Diamond is extraordinary because it represents our dedication to bringing out the beauty of every diamond we cut, rather than prioritizing carat weight for the sake of size alone.”
The Mouawad VIMP Yellow Diamond Ring
The Mouawad VIMP Diamond, which stands for Vision Impossible Made Possible, is a 67.2-carat Fancy Vivid Yellow round brilliant cut diamond with a rare VVS2 clarity– the largest ever graded by the GIA. As we know, a round brilliant cut is a rare sight when it comes to diamonds with vivid color saturation, but virtually unseen at this scale.
The stone was discovered in 2022 in Kimberley, South Africa. The diamond began as a 141.58-carat octahedral rough crystal. After months of examining the diamond, Mouawad’s artisans made the decision to pursue a round brilliant cut, rather than a fancy shape. It’s luminous, vivid yellow rivals the most incredible yellow diamonds in history.
The Incomparable Diamond
Weighing an astonishing 407.48 carats, the Incomparable Diamond is one of the largest Fancy Deep Brownish Yellow diamonds ever discovered. Originally found as an 890-carat rough diamond, it was later transformed into the iconic L’Incomparable Necklace, featuring nearly 230 carats of colorless diamonds alongside the historic yellow gemstone.
The Cora Sun-Drop Diamond
At 110.3 carats, the Cora Sun-Drop Diamond holds the title of one of the largest Fancy Vivid Yellow diamonds in existence. Sold at auction for over $10 million in 2011, this rare gem remains one of the most valuable yellow diamonds ever purchased.
A yellow diamond is a testament to elegance, rarity, and timeless beauty. As demand for these golden-hued diamonds continues to rise, their status as some of the world’s most coveted gemstones remains undisputed. For those seeking a truly unique and luminous piece, these diamonds offer a rare opportunity to own a natural wonder unlike any other.
How to Shop for the Perfect Yellow Diamond Ring
Soft yellow diamonds in paler shades offer a more subtle engagement ring style, something people are increasingly coveting in their bridal jewelry. According to GIA, round brilliant diamonds tend to be the most popular of cuts when it comes to colorless diamonds, but that might be a challenging find if you’re in the market for a yellow diamond ring. Their color appears more intense in fancy shapes, like oval, pear, marquise, princess, radiant, emerald, and heart-shaped.
The color of the metal you chose will also affect the appearance of a yellow diamond. White metals will highlight the color, creating contrast between the mounting and the diamond, while yellow gold will harmonize in tune with its yellow hue.
Color Intensity: The Most Important Factor in a Yellow Diamond Ring
Unlike colorless diamonds, where color grade is based on their lack of color, yellow diamonds are prized for their richness and saturation. The deeper and more vivid the hue, the higher the value. For those looking for the most radiant golden hue, Fancy Intense Yellow and Fancy Vivid Yellow are the ultimate choices, as they display the strongest and purest yellow tones.
Cut: Maximizing Color Over Brilliance
While colorless diamonds are cut to maximize sparkle, yellow specimens are cut to enhance their natural color. The right cut ensures that the diamond’s golden hue remains rich and evenly distributed throughout the stone. Some of the best cuts include: cushion cut, radiant cut, oval and pear shapes.
Clarity: A Consideration, But Not the Priority
Because they are naturally colored, these exceptional diamonds hide inclusions better than colorless diamonds. While clarity is still important, a VS2 clarity grade or higher is generally considered ideal. However, even slightly lower clarity grades may appear flawless to the naked eye.
Carat Weight: Why Large Yellow Diamonds Are Rare
While Fancy Light and Fancy Yellow diamonds are more accessible and often more affordable per carat than colorless diamonds, but the rarest Fancy Vivid Yellow diamonds are highly sought after and can command premium prices. Large Fancy Vivid Yellow diamonds are especially scarce—finding a five-carat or larger stone in this color category is incredibly difficult, making them a prized possession among high-end collectors.
Shop Yellow Diamond Rings
Get inspired by yellow diamond rings from some of our favorite designers.
Arielle Ratner The Tilted Perch, Price Upon Request, arielleratner.com.
Bliss Lau, Custom Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring, Price Upon Request, blisslau.com.
Rachel Boston Aurora Ring, Price Upon Request, rachelboston.co.uk.
Graff Promise Oval Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring, $67,000, graff.com.
Hamilton Jewelers PRIVATE RESERVE 5.24 TOTAL WEIGHT CUSHION FANCY YELLOW DIAMOND RING, $142,950, hamiltonjewelers.com.
GIA Certified 11.30ct Pear Shape Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring, $270,000, 1stdibs.com.
Briony Raymond Sloan Lozenge Diamond Solitaire Ring, Price Upon Request, brionyraymond.com.
Jemma Wynne Bespoke Canary Marquise Diamond Ring, Price Upon Request, jemmawynne.com.
Tiffany True® Engagement Ring with a Cushion-cut Yellow Diamond in 18k Yellow Gold, Price Upon Request, tiffany.com.
GIA 3.51 Carat Vivid Yellow Oval Diamond 18 Karat Gold Ring, $97,500, 1stdibs.com.
Tiffany Novo® Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring with a Pavé Diamond Platinum Band, Price Upon Request, tiffany.com.
Hamilton Jewelers PLATINUM 18K YELLOW GOLD AND 2.05 TOTAL WEIGHT FANCY YELLOW DIAMOND RING, $22,850, hamiltonjewelers.com.
