(IDEX Online) - Fancy color diamonds increased in value by an average of 3.9 per cent in 2022, more than double the 1.7 per cent rise in 2021.Yellows drove most of that increase, according to the Fancy Color Diamond Index published today by the Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF).They were up by an average of 5.6 per cent across all sizes, colors and intensities, with the sharpest increase of all (9.0 per cent) in the fancy eight-carat grade.Pinks saw an average increase of 0.8 per cent and blues were up by a modest 0.4 per cent."2022 was a very good year for yellow fancy color diamonds in all sizes and saturations," said FCRF data supplier Israel Papushado."It seems like yellow diamonds with high visual grades and in certain shapes increased by more than what is reflected in the Index. "Pink fancy color diamonds performed with no significant change in comparison to previous years; however, blue diamonds did not perform as expected, probably due to limitations in the Chinese market which looks like it will change very soon."The New York-based FCRF was unable to produce a comparable full-year Index for Covid-hit 2020 because business was too slow to provide sufficient data.It tracks pricing data for fancy color diamonds of all sizes and intensities in Hong Kong, New York, Geneva and Tel Aviv.Pic courtesy FCRF.