Why Some People Regret Not Choosing Coloured Diamonds

There are certain choices in life we hold onto forever. They become part of who we are—like how we decorate our homes, the music we love, or the pieces of jewellery we wear every day. At the time, these decisions might feel simple, but as life changes, so does the way we see them. One decision that many reflect on deeply is the one they made about their engagement rings, anniversary gift or personal keepsake.

Some of us look back and realise something is missing. Not in the quality or the size of the diamond, but in the feeling it gives us. More recently, we’ve heard people say they wish they had chosen a coloured diamond. It’s often not about regret in a dramatic sense, but more of a quiet thought: “I wish this better reflected who I am.”

Coloured diamonds draw us in not only for their beauty, but because they carry emotional layers. They can hold memory, meaning and a sense of individuality we don’t always get from traditional white stones. Whether it’s a soft pink linked to romance or a cool blue that reminds us of the sea, colour builds connection to the wearer’s life, values and memories.

These choices are becoming more visible, especially in Australia. As our culture moves toward more personal gift-giving and open self-expression, we’re seeing more people break away from usual styles. This is especially true in summer. With warmer weather, family reunions and weddings filling our calendars, people are dressing more boldly and expressing themselves with colour—in fashion, in jewellery and in memories made.

Choosing a coloured stone may not feel like a big leap in the moment, but it can become a meaningful act that grows in importance over time. In the sections ahead, we’ll talk about why some people end up wishing they’d chosen differently and how colour helps jewellery tell a more personal story.

When Classic Choices Feel Too Safe

So many of us start by choosing what feels safe. We go for a white diamond because it’s familiar. Because generations before us did the same. Because someone we trust said it was the right thing to do. In some ways, classic choices are comforting, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But sometimes, that choice doesn’t stand the test of time the way we hoped it would.

There’s a lot tied up in the decisions we make around jewellery. When we’re young or planning events like weddings or birthdays, we get advice from everywhere—family, tradition, even strangers online. We’re taught to look for what’s timeless, as if that’s the most respectful path. But what’s timeless isn’t always what’s true to us.

It’s not uncommon for people to look at their ring or pendant years later and think, “This doesn’t really say anything about me.” It still sparkles, still fits, but it feels like someone else’s idea of special. That’s when the quiet kind of regret seeps in. Not because the piece isn’t lovely, but because it doesn’t carry the personal notes we may have wanted.

The psychology behind jewellery choices is worth exploring. Insights from The University of Queensland show that our attachment to personal items is shaped by emotion and identity. When a piece of jewellery lacks those emotional roots, people can feel disconnected from it over time, no matter how beautiful it might be.

As our style and sense of self shift, old “safe” choices can feel too neat. We realise we want something with space for depth—something reflective of our individuality. And more often than not, adding colour is one way to make that shift.

The Meaning Behind Colour

Colour draws people in for all kinds of reasons. It can remind us of a time, a place, or even a mood. A coloured diamond might quietly echo a personality trait or something deeply sentimental. That’s one of the biggest reasons why many people are now choosing colour—it allows their jewellery to hold more relevance, more feeling, more connection.

When someone wears a pale green diamond, for example, it might not just be a preference for that shade. It could express calm. It might represent their love of the outdoors or even signal a tie to their birth month. A soft pink diamond, on the other hand, often reflects tenderness, love and lifelong warmth. These meanings give jewellery life—it’s not just beautiful to look at, it starts conversations, carries memory, and holds quiet messages that stay with us.

Some people create personal combinations, using multiple colours to reflect relationships, hobbies or life stages. One person might choose a sky blue stone because it reminds them of summers at the beach growing up. Another might gravitate toward champagne-toned diamonds because they feel grounded, earthy and elegant. These aren’t standard choices, but they’re deeply meaningful to the wearer.

The Gemmological Association of Australia offers insight into how different gemstone colours are often linked to emotional qualities. Their resources explain how colour symbolism appears time and again in stories people share about their most valued items. Jewellery isn’t just décor—it becomes emotional shorthand.

With coloured diamonds, subtle shifts in hue can realign a piece with our identity. That colour suddenly becomes enough to change how a ring feels on your hand, or how a pendant becomes part of your daily look. It’s a small change that can carry so much meaning.

Moments When People Wish They Chose Differently

We don’t always realise we want something different until time gives us a new perspective. Birthdays, anniversaries and births often open new ways of thinking about our belongings—especially the ones we wear. A necklace that once felt perfect might now feel underwhelming. That ring we thought was ideal no longer reflects how we see ourselves.

These moments tend to sneak up. A family milestone or reunion spins up memories and emotions. Suddenly, an item we’ve worn for years might feel out of sync. Not because it's lost its sparkle, but because our story has moved forward. One woman shared how, after becoming a mother, she found herself wishing her engagement ring included a soft blue or green stone to reflect the new calm and depth in her life. Another man, after reconnecting with his heritage, felt drawn to deeper red and earthy hues that reminded him of his upbringing in regional South Australia.

In the warmer months, when we spend time outdoors, attend weddings or dress more colourfully, jewellery has to keep up. Light fabrics, breathable layers and relaxed styles call for pieces that echo the mood. Traditional white diamonds can sometimes feel too rigid or too expected in this setting, sparking reflection about what could have been chosen instead.

Australian lifestyle platforms like Hello May dive into real wedding stories, confirming that non-traditional choices are growing in popularity. From soft-coloured stones in custom engagement ring designs to completely unique colour combinations in bridal jewellery, there’s a clear movement toward jewellery with more story and feeling.

For many, the regret isn’t loud or all-consuming. It’s more like a gentle poke—a reminder that their pieces don’t align with who they’ve become. And once that awareness sets in, it can be hard to ignore.

How Colour Helps Jewellery Feel More Personal

As we grow, we tend to crave more meaning in the things we keep close. That’s why custom-designed jewellery is becoming a common path. It's often a response to earlier regrets. People begin to realise they want their pieces to reflect who they are, not just what looks traditional or expensive. Colour plays a key role in bridging that gap.

Many families are now designing rings or pendants that include colour with purpose. Some use stones that match key events—a pink stone for a daughter born in February, or a green accent for a beloved memory in the bush. Others use personalised details like engravings paired with coloured diamonds to build deeper emotional layers into the design.

Cluster rings have also become popular ways to include several meanings in a single piece. One stone can honour a sibling, another a parent, and another might just speak to who the wearer is becoming. When colour carries purpose, it doesn’t just add to the design—it becomes the heart of the piece.

Customisation isn’t just about looks. It’s about connection. Reports from The National Council of Jewellery Valuers suggest that Australia is seeing consistent growth in custom jewellery designs, especially among individuals creating family keepsakes. The reasons are clear. People want jewellery that ‘feels like them’—not jewellery that feels like a default.

The more intentional we get with colour, the more personal the outcome becomes. It can turn a ring into a story. A bracelet into a shared memory. That’s something traditional stones often can’t offer on their own.

Comparing Now to Then: Evolving Tastes Over Time

It’s not just individuals who are changing—it’s entire generations. Jewellery tastes today look different from the ones our parents or grandparents embraced. There’s more colour, more meaning, and a stronger desire for expression. Younger Australians, especially Gen Z and Millennials, are leading the shift with looks inspired by personality instead of formality.

Fashion trends across Australia’s warmer months highlight this clearly. Bold accessories, crisp linen layers and expressive colours are everywhere. Whether it’s a bright summer dress or a beachside outfit, jewellery now has to match that mood. Coloured diamonds fit in naturally here, giving people the freedom to wear something beautiful that also tells a story.

Jewellery no longer needs to be about status. For many, it’s now about feeling seen, connecting with memories, or honouring something personal. That’s a huge step from generations focused on size or perceived value. Meaning matters more than ever. And meaning rarely comes in just one colour.

The Australian Government’s cultural development strategy, outlined through Creative Australia, explores how personal expression is shaping industries like jewellery, fashion and design. As the line between fashion and storytelling blurs, it’s expected that trends will continue bending toward personalisation and individuality.

With that evolution comes the understanding that we don’t wear jewellery for others. We wear it to remember things, to express who we are, and to carry important parts of our lives with us. Coloured diamonds are naturally part of that movement.

Why It’s OK to Change Your Mind

It’s natural to look back and wish we’d done things differently. Regret doesn’t always mean we made a bad choice—it just means we’ve grown. And when it comes to jewellery, that growth can sneak up years later. Tastes change. Life changes. And that “perfect” piece from five years ago might not speak to us the same way now.

What’s important to remember is that it’s okay. Changing your mind isn’t failure—it’s awareness. And it’s never too late to reshape your story. Some people redesign rings. Others create a second piece that carries elements their first choice didn’t. Even adding a new colour accent to an old favourite can make all the difference.

The regret many people feel isn’t usually about the stone itself. It’s about missing the opportunity to say something personal. To make a choice back then that reflected their full story. But there’s comfort in knowing that small changes, or entirely new choices, are always possible.

According to the International Gem Society, remodelling and ring resets have become more popular around the world. People are keeping the sentiment of older pieces while adding elements that make them more relevant to their current lives. There’s nothing indulgent about wanting jewellery that keeps up with you.

We’re all allowed to revisit the things we’ve chosen. Jewellery can adapt, just like we do.

A Coloured Stone Can Mean So Much More

Jewellery carries weight we don’t always recognise at first. It’s more than style. It holds memory, identity and emotion. When a piece aligns with who we are, it becomes part of us. That deep connection is what makes coloured diamonds such a powerful choice.

Choosing a coloured stone isn’t always about being different. Often, it’s about feeling more understood. It’s about seeing ourselves in the things we treasure. About colour becoming a quiet companion to our story. Something that celebrates not just who we are now, but where we’ve been and who we’re still becoming.

This summer offers a natural space for pause and reflection. Whether we’re gathering with family, attending weddings or spending days outdoors, we’re drawn to moments that help us reconnect. Refreshing a meaningful piece or simply considering what you’d choose differently now can become part of that seasonal ritual.

When the jewellery we wear tells our story, the connection becomes that much stronger. A coloured diamond isn’t just a pretty addition. It’s a way of saying—this is mine, this is meaningful, and this speaks to the life I’ve lived.

Creating something new or updating a piece that still means a lot can feel more special with a thoughtful use of colour. Coloured diamonds bring that extra layer of meaning, reflecting personal memories, values and a style that’s uniquely yours. Whether soft or bold, expressive or subtle, the choice is always about what feels right to you. At Eco Lab Diamonds, we believe jewellery should reflect who you are now, and grow with you over time. Explore our selection of coloured diamonds and get in touch when you're ready to create something that feels truly yours.