Natural diamonds: colors, 4C and care

Natural diamonds are real diamonds formed in nature over a very long time, known for their clear brilliance and strong light reflection. They are most commonly found as white/clear diamonds, but can also occur in shades such as champagne, brown, yellow and grey – and more rarely in intense “fancy” colours. Diamonds are typically assessed using the 4Cs: carat (weight), cut, colour, and clarity. In jewellery, natural diamonds are chosen for their timeless look, high durability and exclusive character. With normal care, they keep their brilliance for many years.

Natural diamonds are among the most sought-after stones in jewellery – especially in rings, studs and pendants – because they combine a classic look with high durability. At the same time, “diamond” can mean different things to customers: some want a very clear, white diamond, while others are open to warmer tones such as champagne or brown. Below is an overview of the most common questions, and what you realistically should know when choosing jewellery with natural diamonds.

What is a natural diamond?

A natural diamond is a real diamond formed naturally in the earth under extreme pressure and heat. Diamonds are made of carbon, but what makes them special is the crystal structure, which makes a diamond extremely hard and able to reflect light in a way that creates its signature “brilliance” (sparkle and shine).

Natural diamond vs. lab-grown diamond – what’s the difference?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions. The short explanation is:

Natural diamond: formed in nature.
Lab-grown diamond: grown in a laboratory (but still a real diamond in material/structure).

So the difference is the origin – not necessarily the everyday “look”.

What colours do natural diamonds come in?

The most common diamonds in jewellery are the “white” ones (colourless to slightly warm). But natural diamonds can also be:

champagne (warm, light brown/golden tone)
brown (a more noticeable warm tone)
yellow (from faint to more intense)
grey (cool, elegant look)
black diamonds (often treated, or naturally with many inclusions)
fancy colours (pink, blue, green, etc.) – typically rare and more niche

Important: a “white diamond” is often not paper-white. Many diamonds have a slight warm undertone that can look beautiful in real life – especially in gold.

What do the 4Cs mean?

Diamonds are often described using the 4Cs:

Carat (weight): the diamond’s size/weight.
Cut: how the diamond is cut – largely determines how much it sparkles.
Colour: how colourless (or warm) the diamond is within the white scales.
Clarity: the amount of natural inclusions/“marks” in the stone.

In practice, the cut is often what makes the biggest visible difference to brilliance, because it controls how light enters and reflects.

What is “clarity” – and is a diamond with inclusions bad?

No. Almost all natural diamonds have small natural characteristics (inclusions). Clarity is about how visible they are. Many diamonds have tiny inclusions that aren’t visible to the naked eye, yet still look beautiful.

Which diamond suits gold vs. silver best?

Gold/gold-plated: a warm metal that suits both colourless and slightly warm diamonds (e.g., champagne).
Silver/white gold: a cool metal that often highlights more colourless/cool tones.

Are natural diamonds durable?

Yes. Diamonds are known for their high hardness and are generally well-suited to everyday jewellery – especially rings, which face more wear. That said, they’re not “indestructible”: a diamond can still be damaged by very hard impacts, and a setting can loosen if the jewellery takes knocks. If you wear a ring daily, it’s a good idea to have the setting checked periodically.

Can diamonds handle water, soap and perfume?

The diamond itself can handle a lot, but it may lose its “wow sparkle” if a film of soap, skin oil, cream or makeup builds up on the surface. That doesn’t damage the stone – it just needs cleaning. The metal setting can also be affected by chlorine and cleaning products, so it’s still wise to remove jewellery during:

cleaning/washing up
swimming pools/chlorine
sports

How do you clean diamond jewellery?

Diamonds usually look best after a simple, gentle clean:

lukewarm water with a little mild soap
a soft brush/cloth around the setting (dirt often collects here)
rinse carefully and dry with a soft cloth

Once the setting is clean, the sparkle often returns immediately.

What does a “certificate” (GIA/IGI, etc.) mean?

For larger diamonds, you may see certificates/gradings from recognised laboratories. The certificate typically documents the 4Cs and provides proof of the stone’s specifications. It’s especially relevant for higher carat sizes and more valuable stones.