Exploring the Beauty of Coloured Lab Grown Diamonds

In recent years, coloured diamonds have become symbols of individuality, creativity, and elegance. From soft champagne hues to vibrant pinks and blues, coloured diamonds—known as fancy colour diamonds—are the ultimate expression of personal style.

But what many people don’t realise is that lab grown diamonds can also come in these stunning hues. And unlike their mined counterparts, coloured lab diamonds are more ethical, accessible, and customisable.

In this guide, we explore the science, rarity, grading, and design potential behind coloured lab grown diamonds—and why they may be the most exciting option in modern fine jewellery.

What Are Fancy Coloured Diamonds?

Fancy coloured diamonds are diamonds that show noticeable body colour, beyond the standard D-to-Z colour grading scale used for white diamonds.

These colours can be caused by:

• Trace elements (e.g., nitrogen = yellow, boron = blue)

• Structural distortions in the crystal lattice (e.g., pink)

• Radiation exposure (green, occasionally blue)

These same colour-producing mechanisms can be replicated or enhanced in a laboratory, resulting in fancy coloured lab diamonds that are chemically and structurally identical to coloured mined diamonds—but with more control over tone, intensity, and cost.

How Are Coloured Lab Grown Diamonds Created?

Coloured lab diamonds are made using the same foundational processes as colourless ones: HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) or CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition).

The colour is introduced in one of two ways:

1. During Growth (Intrinsic Colour)

By introducing specific trace elements into the growth chamber:

• Nitrogen creates yellow and orange hues

• Boron creates light blue shades

• Vacancy clusters or distortion leads to pink tones (more complex)

These colours are natural to the diamond as it forms and are stable over time.

2. Post-Growth Treatment (Enhanced Colour)

In some cases, lab grown diamonds may be:

• Irradiated (to create vivid greens or blues)

• Annealed (heat-treated to stabilise and intensify colour)

These treatments are disclosed and do not reduce the diamond’s authenticity, but can affect value depending on the grading.

What Colours Are Available in Lab Grown Diamonds?

Coloured lab diamonds are available in an ever-expanding palette. Some of the most popular shades include:

💛 Yellow

Warm, sunny tones ranging from light canary to deep golden.
One of the most stable and popular lab-grown colours.

💗 Pink

Highly sought after due to the closure of Australia’s Argyle mine.
Lab grown pinks offer an ethical alternative to extremely rare natural pinks.

💙 Blue

Elegant and mysterious, typically a soft sky or steel blue.
Achieved using boron in HPHT growth or post-growth treatment.

💚 Green

Rare in both mined and lab form. Lab-grown greens tend to be pale and luminous, and are often irradiated for enhanced colour.

🤎 Champagne / Cognac

Neutral and earthy, these warm tones are ideal for understated elegance.

How Are Fancy Colour Diamonds Graded?

Unlike white diamonds (graded by absence of colour), coloured diamonds are assessed based on:

• Hue – the dominant colour

• Tone – how light or dark the colour appears

• Saturation – the strength or vividness of the colour

For example, a diamond graded as "Fancy Vivid Pink" has intense pink saturation and medium tone—one of the most desirable colour grades.

Grading terms include:

• Fancy Light

• Fancy

• Fancy Intense

• Fancy Vivid

• Fancy Deep

• Fancy Dark

Are Coloured Lab Diamonds Valuable?

Yes, although value depends on several factors:

• Colour rarity and intensity

• Type of treatment (intrinsic colour is more valuable than enhanced)

• Cut and clarity (as with colourless diamonds)

• Carat weight

While lab grown coloured diamonds are generally more affordable than mined fancy diamonds, they still command premium prices—especially for high-intensity pinks, blues, and greens.

💎 Explore custom options like the
👉 Elysian Pear Three-Stone Ring, which can be set with your coloured lab diamond of choice.

Why Choose a Coloured Lab Diamond?

Choosing a coloured lab diamond is more than a fashion choice—it’s a statement. Here's why more clients are embracing them:

• ✅ Unique & Personal: Colour adds individuality to bridal and fashion jewellery

• ✅ Ethically Created: Conflict-free and low-impact

• ✅ Rare Appeal: Especially for engagement rings or anniversary gifts

• ✅ Cost-Effective Luxury: More accessible than natural fancy coloured stones

• ✅ Customisable: Choose your exact shade, cut, and setting

Whether you’re designing a bespoke engagement ring, a birthday pendant, or a piece that simply reflects your personality, coloured lab diamonds offer creative freedom like never before.

Final Thoughts: A Colourful Future in Diamond Jewellery

Coloured lab grown diamonds represent a modern evolution in fine jewellery—where ethical practices meet extraordinary colour. As lab technology advances, so too does the range and quality of coloured stones available to clients who want more than the traditional white diamond.

Whether you’re drawn to a romantic blush pink or a bold canary yellow, a coloured lab diamond lets you tell your story in full colour—without compromise.

Book a Colour Consultation

If you’re curious about exploring coloured stones or designing your own piece, our team is here to help. Let us guide you through the shades, shapes, and settings that speak to your unique style.

📍 Visit our Perth showroom or book online:
👉 Contact the Diamond Lab team