The Latest Engagement Ring Trend To Know - Champagne Diamonds
The New Year has ushered in more than champagne-filled coupes, as a new engagement ring trend arrives in the form of champagne diamonds.
You may be familiar with other fancy coloured diamonds such as yellow, pink and even blue and green however a new colourway is gaining in popularity this year. Champagne diamonds range in colour from a deeper amber or cognac brown to a paler orangey-yellow tinted hue but shy away from their yellow diamond cousins with deeper, earthier pigmentation.
Champagne diamonds are created when nitrogen enters the diamond during the formation process and are sourced in the same way as other mined diamonds and are now even breaking into the lab grown sector due to increasing interest and demand.
Champagne diamonds have been used in jewellery since Roman times, but their popularity has waxed and waned over the centuries with a notable peak during the Renaissance Era when they were seemingly more prized than their colourless counterparts. The term "champagne diamond" was coined in the 1980s and has been widely used since along with the lesser used phrase ‘cognac diamond’. Champagne diamonds have long been coveted amongst the elite A-list circles looking for a more individual option and have been seen on stars ranging from Jennifer Lopez to Cameron Diaz and Scarlett Johansson, who is famously the proud owner of a noteworthy 11 carat champagne diamond.
How to choose a champagne diamond ring?
At Fenton, we recommend a yellow gold setting to bring out the naturally rich tones in both the metal and centre stone.
If you’re looking for a simple yet striking, modern piece we would suggest a Bezel setting with an emerald cut or a bespoke Signet ring that allows the interplay between the warm yellow gold and diamond hues to do the talking.
Some more contemporary designs have used a range of champagne diamond colours together to stunning effect in a style known as ‘camaïeu’ which is a French term that translates as ‘painting in the same tones of a single colour’. Using a camaïeu led design can be a wonderful way to create a bold but harmonious piece by highlighting the subtle interplay of colour across champagne diamonds.
Emeralds belong to the Beryl family of Alternatively, you could use a combination of colourless or clear diamonds to accentuate your champagne diamond by adding a halo such as the Mayfair or Halo setting, or pairing your champagne diamond with a clear diamond in a Toi et Moi.
We would recommend that you consider going for a higher than normal colour rating to have a particularly colourless diamond that can really bring out the contrast between the bright, white sparkle and your champagne diamond.
Champagne diamonds are available in a range of cuts, just like colourless diamonds and choosing a cut is really a matter of individual preference and taste. Some of the most popular cuts for this are oval, round or marquee as the faceting of these cuts bring out the soft hues of the champagne colouring.
However you choose to set them, champagne diamonds are a bold and individual choice that would stand out from the traditional array of engagement rings whilst still having a timeless sense of appeal and neutral colour palette that can be worn with ease both every day and for special occasions.
Alternatives to champagne diamonds
Other similar toned gemstones that have been popularly used throughout history include citrines which are the birthstone for November and smokey topaz which has a deeper and more earthy hue.
However, these stones would be more suited for cocktail jewellery that is used occasionally instead of an engagement ring. This is because of the softness of these gemstones which make them at higher risk of damage. Citrine and topaz would fair much better set in a pair of earrings or a necklaces as these areas of the body are less active than our hands which are constantly moving and may accidentally knock into something causing the stone to chip or break.
It is also possible to find sapphires in the same champagne tones and we would always recommend either these or champagne diamonds when designing an engagement ring as these are harder gemstones that are less prone to damage when being worn daily.
In terms of durability, champagne diamonds are still the most hard-wearing option, ranking above all other options in the space and our first choice when considering this colour palette for an engagement ring that is designed for everyday wear.
How much does a champagne diamond ring cost?
Champagne diamond costs will vary widely based on their colour, clarity, cut and carat size like traditional colourless diamonds but are generally available at a significant discount to their mined, colourless counterparts. Most commonly you’ll find the lighter and lively hues of champagne diamonds are the most sought after and therefore come in at a higher price point.
Lab grown technology has allowed us to replicate this stunning effect, however, it is conversely harder and more rare to source a champagne lab grown diamond than a clear lab grown diamond as they are less commonly used. However as the labs develop their tech further and general awareness for this hue continues to grow in popularity we’ll see more and more of these appear on the market.
However, it’s important to still be mindful when opting for a lab grown champagne diamond as 95% of lab grown diamonds are created using fossil fuels. To ensure you’re getting a totally guilt-free diamond make sure you’re lab grown diamond is created using 100% renewable energy.
We maintain our standard of only using Solar Diamonds in our jewellery across fancy colours to ensure that our lab grown diamonds have only been created using clean, renewable energy sources. When sourcing fancy coloured diamonds we work with our partners to find the optimal hues as well as brilliant clarity and expert cutting that meets our exacting standards.
If you think a champagne diamond engagement ring could be for you then our team is also on hand to discuss growing one for you from scratch for a truly unique engagement ring experience.
Whether you’re looking for a naturally mined or Solar champagne diamond, have a look at some of our bespoke design ideas here to find inspiration as sparkling as its namesake!
