Pink Diamond Engagement Rings

To incorporate both individuality and tradition, colored diamonds are a popular option, and pink diamond engagement rings are among the rarest and most sought after.

What is a Pink Diamond?

Many people consider diamonds to be white gems, but they are more accurately considered colorless. Fancy diamonds are those with distinctive colors, such as yellow, green, red, orange, brown, and pink. They are far less common and therefore more expensive than colorless diamonds.

The majority of the world’s pink diamond supply is mined in Australia, at the Argyle mine. This mine is also responsible for many other colored diamonds.

The largest pink diamond in the world is the Darya-i-Nur, an exquisite stone set in the Iranian crown jewels. Estimated to be nearly 185 carats, the stone is set in a frame of other gems as part of a bracelet. While this tremendous stone has been on display for a number of years, pink diamonds started to gain popularity as engagement rings in 2002 when Jennifer Lopez received a six-carat pink diamond engagement ring from Ben Affleck. Despite the fact that the marriage never took place, pink diamonds have continued to be sought after for engagement rings.

Stone Quality

For any engagement ring, the quality of the diamond is the key to a beautiful piece of jewelry. While every couple should be familiar with the four Cs of diamond quality, pink diamonds have some unique considerations different from colorless stones.

Color

Fancy diamonds are judged on the intensity of their color rather than their lack of it. Pink diamonds are available in very light pink, rose, salmon, and nearly magenta hues, but darker colors are far rarer. Most pink diamonds only have a faint pink tint, and in a small stone it may be difficult to detect. When choosing a pink diamond engagement ring, examine the stone for color consistency to be sure you purchase a quality piece.

Carat

Because of their rarity, pink diamonds are more expensive than larger, colorless cousins. Because of that, a smaller carat weight pink diamond will be a larger investment than heavier traditional stones. Typically, the smaller the stone the less intense the color, though if it is professionally judged as a pink diamond, the color will be a greater factor in the price than the actual carat weight.

Cut

The unusual color of a pink diamond is eye-catching enough without elaborate cuts or shapes, though round, marquise, and princess cuts are the most popular choices. Rather than experiment with unusual cuts, many couples choose a simple pink diamond with an elaborate setting that draws attention to the stone.

Clarity

Clarity is a crucial factor in the quality of any diamond, especially colored stones. While flaws and inclusions may appear as a bit of cloudiness in clear stones, they can drastically change the color of fancy diamonds. When purchasing a pink diamond, the stone should have a uniform color free from feathers, cracks, dark or light areas, and spots. These flaws will be far more visible to casual observers than they would be in traditional diamond.

Expense of Pink Diamond Engagement Rings

Due to their rarity and rising popularity, pink diamonds are typically more expensive than regular diamonds. As with any jewelry, however, a low-quality pink diamond will be less expensive than a high-quality colorless gem, and each factor in a diamond’s price can be adjusted and balanced to find a stone the couple is happy with while not destroying their budget.

Alternatives to Pink Diamond Engagement Rings

For couples on a tight budget, there are several alternatives to pink diamonds that can provide the same beauty without the hefty price tag. Pink sapphires and rubies have similar colors and are significantly more affordable, though they do not sparkle as fiercely as diamonds. That characteristic can be modified with a fancier shape or additional accent stones, however, or the ring could be a combination of pink diamonds and similarly shaded gemstones. Couples may also want to consider using laboratory-created pink diamonds: heat treatments can be applied to colorless stones to create various shades, including stunning pinks. Synthetic stones can also be created with pleasing pink hues. Always be sure to ask a jeweler about any treatments or enhancements to verify the quality of the diamond.