Canary Diamond Engagement Rings
From LoveToKnow EngagementRings
Canary diamond engagement rings are specialized yellow diamond engagement rings with a bright, fresh color and as much personality as the birds they are named after.
What is a Canary Diamond?
A canary diamond is not just a yellow gem, it is one with a bright, pure shade and no hints of green, brown, or red to darken the stone. Canary diamonds are among the rarest type of yellow diamonds, and they are one of the most popular shades of fancy colored diamonds. Pink diamonds are a close second to canary hues.
The presence of nitrogen in the carbon crystals while the stone is forming is what gives canary diamonds their bright tint. To form the sharp yellow, a greater concentration of nitrogen is necessary, and it cannot be tainted with other elements that will alter the stone’s final coloration.
Because of the brightness of the yellow color, canary diamonds are sometimes referred to as lemon or lemon drop stones as well, but beyond the different names, there is a deeper symbolism for these yellow gems.
Yellow Symbolism
Of course, all diamonds are symbolic of love, commitment, and timelessness, but adding yellow to the stone gives it even deeper meaning. Yellow shades are frequently associated with bright sunlight and cheerfulness, as well as overwhelming joy, prosperity (as associated with gold), and general happiness. Furthermore, yellow is the color of the Zodiac symbol Leo, the lion, making canary diamond rings particularly suitable for individuals who revere their matching star sign. Yellow has also been adopted as the official ribbon color for military support, especially for deployed troops, and using a canary diamond in an engagement ring can be very poignant for a couple separated by military deployments.
Styles for Canary Diamond Engagement Rings
Whatever the reason, whether just because of its stunning color or for deeper sentimental reasons, canary diamonds are spectacular choices for betrothal rings. To best show off the brilliant yellow color, however, it is important to choose an engagement ring design that highlights the gemstone to its best effect.
- Setting: The engagement ring settings that best highlight canary gems are open and clear, letting plenty of light into the diamond to enhance its sparkle from all angles. Classic tiffany settings are always a good choice, though tension settings can be equally dramatic. Closed settings, such as bezel settings or channel settings, are less suitable because they shield more of the gem and may dull its color, but they can be used to conceal slight flaws if necessary.
- Metal: Many people assume that using yellow gold will enhance a canary diamond, but in fact it may dilute the gemstone and make it appear less brilliant in comparison. White gold or platinum engagement rings are preferred because their monochrome hues allow the diamond to stand out better.
- Accents: Using small diamonds or complimentary gemstones – orange or red stones are a popular choice – can enhance a canary diamond and add even more spectacular color to the ring design. In some cases, couples opt to use the canary gems as accents to a central white or colorless diamond, frequently because canary diamonds are far more expensive than other gems and by using them as accents, the engagement ring is more affordable.
Alternative Gems
Because of the expense of canary diamond engagement rings, many couples choose alternative gems with similarly bright yellow hues. Semi-precious gemstones with bright yellow colors include yellow sapphires, citrine, tourmaline, topaz, and cubic zirconia. When trying to match the characteristic canary shade, be sure to find a bright, sunny yellow without hints of other colors.
Famous Canaries
Canary diamond engagement rings can be difficult to find because of the gems’ rarity, but several famous canary stones keep the public interested in these unusual stones. The Tiffany Diamond, for example, was discovered in 1887 and weighed in at more than 280 diamond carats. The Allnatt Diamond is a cushion cut, 101 carat stone, while the amazing Oppenheimer Diamond on display at the Smithsonian Museum is an uncut canary diamond with the spectacular weight of more than 250 carats.
Canary diamond engagement rings are bright and beautiful variation of yellow diamond engagement rings. Their brilliant diamond color makes them as distinctive as their namesake birds, and by choosing a canary stone wisely and setting it in an appropriate ring design, a couple can have an engagement ring that symbolizes their relationship better than any bird’s song.
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