Our most viral design? A champagne diamond ring. Most recreated custom ring? Also champagne. And while we wholeheartedly love a sparkling white diamond, champagne diamonds are a delectable treat that just can’t be beat - with their delicious warmth, satisfying contrast, and golden glimmer, they’re simply unmatched.
If you need a little nudge towards the champagne side, you’ve come to the right place. We’re sharing all the reasons you won’t regret raising a glass to the diamond version of golden hour.
First, what are champagne diamonds?
Champagne diamonds are yellowish-brown diamonds that fall on the lower end of the GIA diamond color scale. The lightest champagne diamonds start at K on the scale, with hues deepening as you move toward Z. Also known as brown diamonds or chocolate diamonds, their colors range from sunny golden beige to rich, dark cocoa.
While colorless diamonds are made of pure carbon, champagne diamonds are made of carbon plus trace amounts of nitrogen. The more nitrogen, the deeper the champagne hue.
Just like white diamonds, champagne diamonds are very durable, rating a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale - the hardest natural material on Earth. Both diamonds are able to withstand many lifetimes of daily wear without chipping or scratching (as long as you care for it).
Champagne diamonds vs white diamonds: Color & Sparkle
White diamonds are colorless or near-colorless, graded from D-Z, with D being the purest and most coveted. Their brilliance is unmatched, with dazzling fire and sparkle.
Champagne diamonds occupy the latter half of this scale (K-Z) and are beloved for their golden warmth and softer glow. While they reflect less light than white diamonds, they have a richness and depth of color that white diamonds simply can’t match. Generally, lighter champagne diamonds sparkle more than darker stones, but all tones emit a sunlit shimmer.
Why choose a champagne diamond instead of a white diamond
1. Because you love their golden warmth
While white diamonds dazzle with their icy brilliance, champagne diamonds glow with a warm, sun-drenched radiance. Paired with yellow gold, peach gold, or rose gold, they create a sun-dappled magic that feels indulgent and effervescent—just like the drink they’re named after.
Whether you love a shimmering light honey hued stone, a rich cognac diamond, or a decadent mocha toned diamond, champagne diamonds exude a soul-nourishing warmth we can't get enough of.
2. Because you want something unique
About 85-90% of all engagement rings feature white diamonds—and for good reason. They sparkle, they stun, and they serve as a perfect blank canvas for any design. But if you crave the unexpected, the rare, the path less traveled—champagne diamonds just might be singing your soul song.
And the best part? Every single champagne diamond has its own unique color profile, meaning no two stones are exactly alike. Every champagne diamond is truly one-of-a-kind, blessed with its own hue, tone, and saturation that makes that stone just for you.
3. Because you want a bigger diamond for your budget
Champagne diamonds cost significantly less than white diamonds, meaning you can get a bigger, higher-quality diamond for the same budget—or pocket the savings for something even more indulgent (toast some literal champagne on a beach in the Maldives, perhaps?)
And if a white diamond wasn’t in your budget to begin with, champagne diamonds are your budget-friendly, sunlit best friend.
4. Because you love the planet
Traditionally, white diamond mining discards a significant portion of stones that don’t meet the strict colorless standard. Champagne diamonds, once overlooked, are now celebrated—reducing waste and maximizing Earth’s precious resources.
5. Because you LOVE A DIAMOND WITH SOUL
With lab-grown white diamonds flooding the market, natural diamond lovers feel more connected to Earth-made diamonds than ever. And so far, champagne diamonds are only available au naturel. So, when you spot a champagne diamond ring out in the wild, you can be sure that it’s earth-made—formed over millions of years beneath the Earth’s surface and delivered to us by volcanic magic.
But why does that matter? For some, it’s about value. Lab diamonds have plummeted in price over the last decade due to unlimited supply, while natural diamonds hold their worth far better over time. If you want a diamond that retains a greater portion of what you paid for it, nature-made is the way to go.
For others, it’s about reverence. There’s something undeniably special about wearing a diamond that’s been on a journey for millions of years—crafted by the Earth itself, under a perfect collection of natural conditions deep within the Earth's crust.
6. Because you love a showstopping, contrast-filled design
A champagne diamond on its own is incredible, but when paired with white diamond accent stones, the contrast is immeasurably satisfying. The warm, golden magic of a champagne diamond alongside the crisp, icy sparkle of white diamonds is a match made in gemstone heaven.
7. You want it all
You don’t want to compromise—you want a unique, one-of-a-kind, incredibly durable, deliciously decadent, sinfully sparkly, sunlit stone that fits your budget and elicits awe from everyone around you. You want an engagement ring that glows, that captures your exact energy, that feels like you.
Whatever your aesthetic - whether it's chic and minimal, vintage and romantic, sleek and modern, more-is-more maximalist, or avant garde unconventional, champagne diamonds are the chameleons of the gemstone world - adapting to achieve any vision and fit any aesthetic.
Champagne diamond FAQ
What is the difference between a champagne diamond and a white diamond?
While white diamonds shimmer with a clear icy brilliance, champagne diamonds glow with warm, golden hues. White diamonds are graded on the D-Z color scale, with D being completely colorless. Champagne diamonds, on the other hand, fall in the K-Z range and have a rich, sunlit depth that glows rather than sparkles.
Are champagne Argyle diamonds valuable?
Yes—especially now. The Argyle mine in Australia, once the primary source of the world’s most exquisite champagne diamonds, closed in 2020. This makes Argyle champagne diamonds increasingly rare and highly sought after.
What grade is a champagne diamond?
Champagne diamonds are graded on two different scales: the traditional D-Z color scale (with K-Z encompassing these golden hues) and the Argyle C1-C7 champagne diamond scale, where C1 represents the lightest golden shades and C7 the deepest, richest cognac tones.
Are champagne diamonds lab-grown?
Champagne diamonds occur naturally, with their rich color created by trace amounts of nitrogen. As of now, there are no lab grown versions of champagne diamonds.
What does the champagne diamond mean spiritually?
Connected with the crown chakra, diamonds are the highest vibration gemstone of them all. Just as a diamond refracts light, it directs and streamlines your mental energy for more clarity, less confusion, and a deeper connection with your intuition. Known as cleansing stones, champagne diamonds help clean out mental clutter to regain calm, focus, and balance.
With a clearer mind, comes a renewed sense of purpose and connection with your highest, most aligned self.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Champagne Diamond?
If you’re entranced by the golden glow of champagne diamonds, dive deeper into our Champagne Diamond Guide for everything you need to know about choosing your perfect stone.
Or, if you’re ready to make one yours, explore our curated collection of one-of-a-kind champagne diamond engagement rings here or book a free virtual consult to chat about creating your own custom champagne diamond sparkler. Shop our collection of hand-selected loose champagne diamonds here.