Diamonds come in a variety of colors, from clear and colorless to shades of yellow, brown, pink, blue, green and more. While colorless or white diamonds are the most common, colored diamonds can be exceptionally rare and valuable. This article will explore the range of diamond colors, what causes the different hues, and the value of fancy colored diamonds.
What determines diamond color?
A diamond’s color is determined by the presence or absence of trace elements and structural defects in its crystal structure. Pure crystalline carbon is colorless, but when nitrogen, boron or other elements get mixed in, they impact light absorption and cause tints of color. The diamond color grading scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow/brown).
What are the different natural diamond colors?
Here are the main diamond colors and what causes their hues:
| Color | Cause |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Nitrogen impurities |
| Brown | Nitrogen clusters |
| Blue | Boron impurities |
| Pink | Structural defects |
| Green | Natural radiation exposure |
| Purple | Hydrogen impurities |
| Orange | Nitrogen-vacancy centers |
| Red | Crystal dislocations |
| Black | Inclusion of graphite |
As you can see, small structural anomalies during diamond formation lead to the absorption of certain light wavelengths, causing colors. While many diamonds pick up hints of yellow and brown, strong saturation in pinks, blues, greens and other colors is rare.
How rare are colored diamonds?
Only about 0.1% of gem diamonds mined worldwide are considered fancy colors. Red diamonds are the rarest, making up less than 0.1% of that tiny fraction. Natural blue and pink diamonds are also exceptionally uncommon, while yellow, brown and grey shades are more routinely found. Here’s a breakdown of the occurrence of different diamond colors:
| Diamond Color | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Colorless | Most common |
| Near colorless | Common |
| Faint yellow | Common |
| Yellow | Less common |
| Brown | Common |
| Grey | Uncommon |
| Blue | Very rare |
| Pink | Extremely rare |
| Red | Extremely rare |
| Green | Very rare |
| Purple, Orange | Very rare |
| Black | Extremely rare |
As you go further down the spectrum into intensely saturated hues, the diamonds become progressively more scarce and valuable.
What makes colored diamonds so valuable?
Colored diamonds are among the most expensive diamonds in the world. Their value is determined by many factors:
– Rarity – Uncommon colors like red or blue entail much higher prices.
– Saturation – The intensity of the color also impacts value. Vivid shades are priced higher than pale tints.
– Evenness – Consistent color distribution increases desirability and prices.
– Clarity – Clean diamonds with few inclusions fetch stronger prices.
– Carat – Larger fancy color diamonds are exponentially more valuable.
– Cut quality – Excellent cutting maximizes color presentation.
– Source – Natural diamonds from famous mines entail premiums.
– Demand – Collectors covet certain colors like pinks and blues.
The combination of immense scarcity and high demand puts fancy color diamonds in a league of their own when it comes to pricing. Let’s look at some record sales:
– The Blue Moon of Josephine, a 12.03 carat blue diamond, sold for $48.4 million in 2015.
– The Pink Star, a 59.60 carat vivid pink oval diamond, sold for a record $71.2 million in 2017.
– The 14.62 carat Oppenheimer Blue rectangular-cut diamond sold for $57.5 million in 2016.
These exceptional sales indicate the astronomical values achieved by rare colored diamonds. Even smaller stones can be worth millions apiece.
Are there synthetic colored diamonds?
While mined fancy color diamonds are extremely rare, there are ways to create colored diamonds in a lab. The most common methods include:
– **HPHT processing** – Subjecting colorless diamonds to high pressure and heat can induce new colors like red, pink, blue and yellow.
– **Irradiation** – Exposing diamonds to radiation turns them green, blue-green or black.
– **Coatings** – Depositing thin surface coatings can produce vibrant rainbow hues.
– **Annealing** – Heat treatments can intensify existing yellow and brown hues.
These treatments make colored diamonds available at more affordable prices, but naturally occurring colors still fetch substantially higher valuations. Advanced testing like spectrometry can identify lab treatments and distinguish mined diamonds.
How are colored diamonds graded?
Gemological labs use special grading systems to evaluate colored diamonds based on the 4Cs – carat weight, cut, clarity and color. Key color factors assessed include:
– **Hue** – The primary color like pink, blue or yellow. Secondary colors also impact grading.
– **Tone** – Lightness to darkness of the hue on a scale from light to dark.
– **Saturation** – Intensity and vividness of the color. Faint to vivid spectrum.
– **Distribution** – Evenness of color throughout the diamond.
By analyzing these attributes, labs assign fancy color grades ranging from Faint to Vivid. The GIA scale is most widely used. Top graded diamonds with vivid saturation can achieve record prices.
What are the best ways to buy colored diamonds?
For both investment and adornment purposes, here are some tips for buying colored diamonds:
– Seek GIA or AGS grading reports to verify authenticity.
– Prioritize diamonds with strong saturation and pure hues.
– Look for even color distribution without dark spots.
– Select clean stones with minimal imperfections.
– Reputable jewelers and dealers with certification assurances.
– Be wary of significant discounts which may signal treatments.
– High quality setting styles that protect and enhance color.
– Consider insured storage if making a high value investment.
With proper due diligence, colored diamonds can be outstanding portfolio assets and heirloom-quality gems cherished for generations. Their mesmerizing colors and unparalleled rarity impart unique enduring value.
Conclusion
Diamonds occur in a diverse palette of colors based on trace elements present during their formation. While colorless and near colorless are the most common, vibrant fancy colors like pink, red and blue are remarkably scarce in nature. These intensely saturated colored diamonds are among the most precious gems in existence, valued in the millions for single carats. Advanced technology can also produce colors artificially, but natural fancy diamonds always garner the highest prices. For diamond lovers and investors, the range of genuine diamond colors represents the pinnacle of rarity and beauty.