CHAMPAGNE DIAMOND: From Undesirable to Popular

In the world of gemstones, brown diamonds were unremarkable and thus often overlooked. However, the emergence of the champagne diamond, which is a yellowish variety of brown diamonds, turned the tide and transformed the gem’s perception in the jewelry industry. What are champagne diamonds? How great are they for jewelry?

Rediscovery of Champagne Diamond

Brown diamonds have long been known, but they were worthless for jewelry. Because of their abundance and low value, brown diamonds went instead to industrial application, such as cutting and drilling.

In the diamond industry, the term ‘brown’ evokes associations with dullness, lack of sparkle and generally inferior quality. Their muted color did not fit the traditional image of diamonds as  sparkling white gems fit for engagement rings and other high-end jewelry. As a result, brown diamonds were not popular among consumers or jewelers, and miners and dealers often rejected them. Compared to colorless or other colored diamonds, brown diamonds were inferior and undesirable.

The popularity of brown diamonds earnestly began to rise when Australia’s Argyle Mine, which is responsible for producing a large percentage of the world’s colored diamonds, found that nearly half of the stones in their deposit were brown. To make these brown diamonds more appealing and attractive to the market, Rio Tinto – along with other companies, such as Baumgold Bros. and Le Vian – rebranded  the stones. They used names such as ‘champagne,’ ‘cognac,’ ‘nude’ or ‘chocolate diamond’ to describe the different shades of brown diamonds, and also improved their marketing, highlighting their beauty, uniqueness and affordability.

One particular case that changed consumers’ perception of brown diamonds is the marketing efforts surrounding the champagne diamond. What are champagne diamonds? How did they get such a name?

What is Champagne Diamond?

A champagne diamond is a natural colored diamond that has a brown hue with a yellow tint, thus resembling the color of champagne. Champagne diamonds offer a wide spectrum of colors within the category of brown diamond, with their warm tones giving them a unique charm. This warm, yellowish brown hues had an appealing character that set them apart from the less attractive shades of brown. See also —

Indeed, what differentiates champagne diamonds is their attractive range of color, which can vary from pale, light shades to deeper and richer cognac tones. This color comes from the inclusion of nitrogen in the crystal or the distortion of its structure during the diamond’s formation.

The term ‘champagne diamonds’ not only highlights the gem’s color but also its appeal. By attaching the name ‘champagne diamond’ to this variety, merchants successfully associated the gem with luxury, celebration and sophistication, thus effectively rebranding and repositioning these brown diamonds in the market.

Such strategies changed the perception of brown diamonds, which in the eyes of consumers became a beautiful and unique choice for jewelry, especially for engagement rings. Under the name ‘champagne diamond,’ brown diamonds gained appreciation as a distinct category of colored diamonds.

Advantages of Champagne Diamond

Like other diamonds, champagne diamonds are the hardest gems, durable and thus quite suitable for jewelry. Besides this unrivaled hardness, champagne diamonds offer several other advantages, which make them an attractive choice for jewelry enthusiasts and collectors.

1. Distinctive Color

The warm, yellowish brown hues of champagne diamonds set them apart from other colored diamonds. Their soft and muted tones exude an air of elegance and sophistication. These unique and rich hues add a touch of individuality to pieces of jewelry.

2. Affordability of Champagne Diamond

Compared to colorless and more vividly colored diamonds, champagne diamonds are more affordable. Because of their relative abundance and lower demand, champagne diamonds have a lower price per carat. This makes them an accessible option for those looking for a stunning gem without breaking the bank.

3. Versatility in Design

Champagne diamonds complement various skin tones, and easily transition from casual to formal occasions. Their warm tones also make them suitable for a wide range of jewelry. They can enhance any piece with their unique and appealing color, whether it is a simple solitaire ring, a dazzling halo pendant or a pair of earrings.

Moreover, champagne diamonds can match various metals and gemstones, allowing for creativity in design. They look gorgeous with rose gold, which accentuates their warmth, but also look stunning with white gold or platinum, which contrasts with their color and adds some sparkle. Mixing champagne diamonds with other colored diamonds or gemstones creates a colorful and playful effect.

4. Growing Popularity

The popularity of champagne diamonds has been on the rise, leading to increased recognition and demand. As a result, they have gained acceptance and appreciation across the world.

5. Natural Beauty

Champagne diamonds’ color is typically entirely natural. They do not require any artificial treatments or enhancements to achieve their color, unlike some other colored diamonds that undergo irradiation or heat treatment to achieve a certain hue. This natural quality of champagne diamonds appeals to those seeking authentic gems.

6. Symbolism and Meaning

Like all diamonds, champagne diamonds carry the symbolism of strength, endurance and eternal love, making them a meaningful choice for engagement rings and other sentimental pieces of jewelry. In addition, champagne diamonds supposedly have a soothing and harmonious energy that reflects calmness and stability.

7. Collectability

As champagne diamonds become more sought-after, they hold the potential for appreciation in value over time, thus making them appealing to both jewelry wearers and investors.

Affordable Yet Distinctive Champagne Diamond

Arguably the biggest advantage of champagne diamonds is their affordability. Compared to colorless diamonds or other fancy varieties, champagne diamonds are budget-friendly. Their unique color, while distinctive, has historically made them more accessible in terms of pricing.

This affordability opens up opportunities for individuals to own a unique diamond without the higher price associated with the white gems. In consequence, champagne diamonds attract jewelry enthusiasts who are looking for a beautiful gemstone without straining their budget.

Disadvantages of Champagne Diamond

While champagne diamonds have their own distinctive appeal, they also carry potential disadvantages that buyers must be aware of.

1. Perceived Lower Value

Champagne diamonds are generally less valuable compared to other varieties of diamond. This is due to the fact that brown diamonds are less rare and traditionally less valued in the market. Because of their relative abundance and a lower demand, champagne diamonds have less prestige and consequently lower value.

2. Less Sparkle

The warm tones of champagne diamonds might result in less sparkle and dispersion of light. While this is not necessarily a disadvantage for everyone, some individuals might prefer the bright sparkle of the colorless diamond.

3. Limited Demand

Champagne diamonds have a limited demand compared to other varieties of diamond. Many people do not find brown diamonds as impressive or desirable, and prefer more intense or vivid colors. As a result, champagne diamonds may be slightly harder to sell in the resale market.

4. Matching with Jewelry

The unique color of champagne diamonds might make it more challenging to match them with certain types of jewelry settings or other gemstones. Thus, some people might find it harder to find complementary pieces.

Less Desired Champagne Diamond

The biggest disadvantage of a champagne diamond is that its unique color might not be as universally desired or versatile as the traditional colorless or more vividly colored diamonds. This can impact the diamond’s overall appeal and desirability in the market.

Given their color, champagne diamonds do not catch and reflect light in the same way that colorless diamonds do, and thus do not exhibit the same level of brilliance. This may be a concern for those who prioritize the brilliance and ‘fire’ traditionally associated with diamonds.

In addition, the warm brownish hue of champagne diamonds can limit their compatibility with certain designs and people’s personal preferences. Some individuals might have a strong preference for colorless or more vibrant colored diamonds, and this could lead them to overlook or undervalue champagne diamonds.

In the end, while champagne diamonds have gained popularity and recognition in recent years, they might still face some challenges in the market. The perception of brown diamonds, including champagne diamonds, as less valuable or desirable than other diamonds could negatively influence the decision of potential buyers.

Rise in Popularity of Champagne Diamond

Despite the stereotype of brown diamonds as less desirable gems, champagne diamonds enjoyed an increasing popularity in recent years. The rebranding of brown diamonds as ‘champagne diamonds’ changed the perception of these stones, which started to gain attention and recognition from collectors, investors, celebrities and consumers. Besides this rebranding, as well as their own distinctive appeal and affordability, several reasons led to the rise in popularity of champagne diamonds.

1. Evolving Fashion Trends

The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw shifts in fashion and jewelry trends. Consumers began to seek more unique options, thus moving away from the traditional colorless diamonds. By offering a different and sophisticated choice, champagne diamonds aligned well with this trend.

2. Increased Acceptance of Colored Diamonds

As the appeal of colored diamonds grew, consumers became more open to considering diamonds beyond the classic white. Champagne diamonds benefited from this shift, and found their place in the expanding palette of diamond colors.

3. Celebrity Endorsement

As champagne diamonds began to gain recognition, they started appearing on the fingers or necks of celebrities. From dazzling engagement rings to intricate necklaces, these gems adorned celebrities and fashion-forward individuals. The celebrity endorsements raised the desirability of champagne diamonds, and even cemented their status as sought-after treasures.

4. Diverse Jewelry Designs

Designers and jewelers embraced champagne diamonds, and created innovative and attractive jewelry designs that showcased champagne diamond’s color and beauty. This allowed consumers to see the gem’s potential in various settings and styles, and helped set new trends.

5. Education and Awareness

Gemological research and educational efforts helped consumers appreciate the unique attributes of champagne diamonds, thus dispelling misconceptions and broadening the diamonds’ appeal.

Champagne Diamond Today

The combination of strategic marketing, changing trends and the natural beauty of their unique color reshaped the perception of brown diamonds and elevated them to the status of sought-after gems. With targeted marketing campaigns, champagne diamond found its way into high-end boutiques and exclusive jewelry collections. Some champagne diamonds even became famous. For instance, the Golden Jubilee, a 545.67-carat fancy yellow-brown diamond, is renowned for being the largest faceted diamond in the world.

As champagne diamond gained popularity, its success gradually reshaped the perception of brown diamonds as a whole. This popularity challenged the notion that brown is an undesirable color for gemstones, and thus contributed to a reevaluation of brown diamonds. No longer considered quite inferior, brown diamonds became synonymous with individuality and earthy charm. Their natural beauty, untainted by artificial treatments, adds to this appeal.

The story of champagne diamonds exemplifies the power of rebranding and marketing in transforming the destiny of gemstones. It serves as a reminder that beauty can come in the most unexpected places and that a change in perception can elevate the value and desirability of even the most unpopular gems. Today, champagne diamonds continue to captivate the world with their allure. They have become a beautiful and unique choice for jewelry, especially for engagement rings.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on X
• Share on Pinterest
• Share on Reddit
• Share on Tumblr

Don’t miss a post about gemstones

Read them on your email

10 Love Stones

Get to know the gems that represent love and romance without being quite pricy.

See Love Stones

Explore Diamond’s Cuts

Check the different shapes and patterns that bring out the beauty of diamond.

View Diamond’s Cuts

Preview of a Book on Diamonds

In this article, the author shares some of the insights he gained from his research on diamonds, which he is writing a book about. The book, ‘Diamond, its Magic and History’ is not yet complete, but the author has published another book, which readers can consult.

Learn about your birthstone and zodiac gems

• View on Google Books

Other Bookstore

• Kobo
• Barnes & Nobles
• Amazon

About the Author

Jomar Pandan

Jomar ‘Deomar’ Pandan is the author of Power Birthstone. He’s on the fourth draft of a high-fantasy novel, Cybelym, and the first of a historical fiction, Gem Faerie. He hopes to release a nonfiction book about diamond soon. Follow him for updates. Or see his jewelry and designs.