Over time, yellow diamonds became associated with power, wealth, and prestige. In the 18th century, yellow diamonds were brought to the attention of the Western world when trade routes with India opened up. European nobility quickly became enamored with the vibrant color of these stones, leading to an increase in demand for yellow diamonds. During the 19th century, new diamond mines were discovered in South Africa, which led to an influx of yellow diamonds into the market. However, these stones were not as highly valued as their colorless counterparts, and were often used for industrial purposes.