Champagne Diamonds: A Natural Diamond with Unique Personality

Okay, hear us out: champagne diamonds might be “the next big thing in engagement rings.”

If you love the idea of a diamond but have never really connected with the classic bright-white look, champagne diamonds are worth a closer look. They’re warm, a little unexpected, and full of personality - with colors that range from barely-there champagne to honey, caramel, cognac, and soft brown. Basically, they’re the diamonds for people who want something classic…but maybe not too classic.

At Elaine B Jewelry, we’ve always loved a stone with a little character. And with more couples looking for engagement rings that feel personal and less traditional, we have a feeling you’re going to be seeing a lot more of these warm-toned beauties.

xo Elaine 

So, What Exactly Is a Champagne Diamond?

First things first: “champagne diamond” isn’t an official diamond grade. It’s a term used to describe natural diamonds with warm brown, golden, yellow, or peachy undertones.

Instead of trying to find the whitest diamond possible, champagne diamonds let you embrace the color that naturally occurs within the stone. Some have the softest hint of warmth, while others are rich and moody.

No two are exactly alike, which means they each have their own personality.

Where Do Champagne Diamonds Come From?

Champagne diamonds are natural diamonds, which means they formed deep beneath the earth over billions of years before eventually being mined, cut, and polished. Their warm color comes from the diamond’s natural formation and crystal structure.

And when you start looking into the history of warm-toned diamonds, there’s one place that comes up again and again: Australia.

The Story of Australia’s Argyle Diamond Mine

Located in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia, the Argyle Diamond Mine became one of the world’s most significant sources of natural diamonds. The Argyle diamond deposit was discovered in 1979, and mining began in 1983.

Argyle was particularly known for its abundance of brown diamonds, producing stones in a range of brown and yellow hues. According to GIA, the deposit was unusual because of the sheer volume of diamonds it contained, with the mine becoming one of the world's major diamond producers. 

The mine was located in a remote part of Western Australia, near Lake Argyle. NASA’s Earth Observatory shows just how dramatic the landscape is, with the mine surrounded by the rugged terrain of the Kimberley region. 

Argyle is also famous for its rare pink diamonds, but its large production of naturally brown diamonds is especially relevant to the story of champagne diamonds. These warm, earthy hues helped establish Australian diamonds as an important part of the world of naturally colored diamonds.

It’s worth noting that not every champagne diamond comes from Australia or the Argyle mine. “Champagne” describes a diamond’s color, not its geographic origin.

You Might Also Hear Them Called “Desert Diamonds”

Here’s another term you might start seeing more of: Desert Diamonds.

Desert Diamonds is a newer name being used for a spectrum of naturally warm diamond colors - from soft whites and champagne tones to honey, amber, and deeper golden-brown shades. Champagne diamonds fit beautifully within that palette.

The name makes a lot of sense when you think about the colors: golden sand, sun-warmed earth, honey, amber, and those gorgeous desert-sunset tones.

Why Are Champagne Diamonds Suddenly Everywhere?

We think champagne diamonds are having a moment because jewelry itself is changing. For a long time, the engagement ring world was very focused on one thing: the whiter, the better.

Now? People are looking for something with a little more personality. They’re mixing metals, choosing unusual shapes, stacking unexpected bands, incorporating sapphires and salt & pepper diamonds, and generally moving away from the idea that there’s one “right” way to wear an engagement ring. Champagne diamonds fit right into that world. They’re still timeless. They’re still diamonds. They still sparkle like crazy.

They Feel Classic, But Not Expected

Put a champagne diamond in a simple solitaire setting and suddenly you have a ring that feels completely different.

Set it in yellow gold and lean into the warmth. Pair it with platinum or white gold for contrast. Add a textured band. Mix in some salt & pepper diamonds. Go vintage. Keep it super minimal.

There are so many directions you can take it. We’re here for all of them!!

Every Stone Has Its Own Vibe

This is probably our favorite part. One champagne diamond might be soft and subtle. Another might be rich and golden. Another might have a deep, smoky cognac color. They’re not meant to all look the same and that’s exactly the point.

When you’re choosing a champagne diamond, you can focus less on checking every box and more on finding a stone that makes you stop and go, “Oh. THAT one.” We’re big fans of that approach here at EBJ!

They’re Made for Custom Engagement Rings

Champagne diamonds are especially fun to design around because they already bring so much to the table. A simple bezel setting can let the color take center stage. An antique-inspired setting can make a warm diamond feel like a modern heirloom. A unique shape can make the whole ring feel even more unexpected. And because we make our jewelry by hand, we love getting to build the design around the stone rather than trying to make the stone fit into a predetermined idea.

Champagne Diamonds & Ethical Sourcing at Elaine B

Of course, we can’t talk about diamonds without talking about where they come from. At Elaine B Jewelry, we believe that beautiful jewelry should also have a thoughtful story behind it. We ethically source the diamonds and gemstones we use and work with trusted partners who share our commitment to responsible sourcing and transparency. For us, ethical sourcing is about asking questions, knowing our suppliers, and being thoughtful about the stones we bring into our collections.

We also love that choosing a champagne diamond can be an opportunity to look beyond the traditional diamond shopping checklist. Instead of simply searching for the whitest stone, you can find a natural diamond with its own unique color, history, and personality.

Because knowing your diamond is beautiful is one thing. Knowing that we’ve thoughtfully considered where it came from and who we’re working with to source it makes it even better.

That’s why we’re so excited to bring more unique natural diamonds to you - including Champagne Diamonds. Ask us about our collection of stones that are ready for your dream project!

Find Your Champagne Diamond at Elaine B Jewelry

We’re currently working on an upcoming collection of champagne diamond engagement rings, and we are very excited about it.

But you don’t have to wait for a collection piece if you already have your dream ring in mind. We can source champagne and Desert Diamonds specifically for custom engagement ring designs, giving you the opportunity to start with a stone that feels completely you. Or, you can choose from stones we’ve been holding onto that just might have been waiting for you to find them!