View the Course This princess-cut yellow sapphire has a highly saturated color. Still, very light yellow tones may appear to be off-color white stones. This means that a bold, highly saturated yellow color will occur with a tone, or darkness, of about 20-30%. Unlike most colors, yellow hues reach their gamut limit at relatively light tones. A bright canary yellow chrysoberyl sits in the center of a diamond and demantoid garnet star. Brownish colors would make ideal choices for an autumnal jewelry project. For example, popular 'golden' colors have slight orange hues.

Orange secondary hues are generally preferable. However, when slight, they may add a 'neon' quality to the stone.

Green secondary hues are usually undesirable. For yellow stones, secondary hues are green, orange, and/or brown. The most valuable stones are a pure yellow hue, but secondary hues may be present. For yellow gemstones, the primary hue should be yellow. Gemologists assess color by considering hue, tone, and saturation. Assessing Color and Quality in Yellow Gemstones Photo courtesy of Shelly Sergent, Somewhere in the Rainbow Collection. In fact, it's the largest known canary tourmaline of this quality! Necklace in platinum and green gold with 19-ctw diamond accents. At a whopping 30 carats, this canary tourmaline is extremely rare for its color, size, and clarity. You'll never guess which yellow stone adorns this necklace.

Learn about color and quality for yellow gemstones, which ones will hold up best as ring stones, and which should be kept safe in a gem collection. From bright, sunny colors to deep golden hues, yellow gemstones are warm and inviting. If you're looking for a yellow gem for your next jewelry project, you'll find what you're looking for here.

Yellow sapphire gemstone