Guide on Colored Diamonds: Ranking Affordability to Rarity
Article: The Allure of Coloured Diamonds
Coloured diamonds, with their captivating hues, are more than just a sparkle in the eye – they are a symbol of rarity and value. The value of these gemstones is primarily influenced by the rarity and quality of their color, specifically the attributes of hue (color type), saturation (color intensity), and tone (lightness or darkness).
Among the most valuable types of coloured diamonds are those with the rarest and most intense colors. Fancy Vivid pink diamonds, extremely rare and highly prized, are one such example, partly due to sources like the Argyle Mine. Vivid blue diamonds, which have seen significant price growth over the past 20 years, are another. Vivid yellow diamonds, valued for their brightness though generally less rare than pink or blue, complete the trio. Red diamonds, though extremely rare, are among the most expensive coloured diamonds.
The Argyle Isla, a 1.14 carat radiant shaped fancy red diamond, is a testament to the allure of these rare gems. In the world of coloured diamonds, rarity reigns supreme.
The GIA classifies fancy coloured diamonds based on these color qualities, with Fancy Vivid being the highest and most sought-after grade. Other factors influencing value include carat size, clarity, and cut quality, but for coloured diamonds, color quality dominates.
In contrast, in colorless or near-colorless diamonds, such as those graded D through J, value is influenced more by the traditional 4Cs (colorless grade, clarity, cut, carat). However, these diamonds typically do not command the premium of rare fancy coloured stones.
A trend for 'cognac' or 'champagne' brown diamonds emerged due to marketing efforts by Australia's Argyle mine in the 1990s. Yellow diamonds gain their color through nitrogen impurities in the diamond lattice. The rarest yellow diamonds, known as 'canary yellow', have nitrogen atoms that remain isolated within the diamond's atomic structure.
Grey diamonds gain their color through hydrogen impurities, while black diamonds are considered the least valuable of all coloured diamonds. Blue diamonds are the rarest and most sought-after, owing their color to infinitesimal levels of boron impurities and accounting for less than 1% of all natural stones. Violet diamonds are exceptionally rare and hard to value.
The most expensive green diamond ever sold was the 5.03ct Aurora Green for HK $16.8 million at Christie's in May 2016. The 14.6ct Oppenheimer Blue is the most expensive fancy vivid blue diamond sold to date, fetching $57,500,000 at Christies in May 2016. The largest ever red diamond, the 5.11ct Moussaieff Red diamond, was discovered in Brazil in 1990.
The Argyle mine in Australia is one of the principal sources for pink diamonds, but they are rare, accounting for only 0.1% of overall production. The Dresden Green Diamond, a 41 carat natural green diamond, originates from the Kollur mine in India. The largest ever orange diamond, a 14.82ct pear-shaped fancy vivid orange, sold for CHF 32,645,000 at Christie's in 2013.
Pink diamonds' coloration is associated with a deformation of the diamond lattice that occurred while they grew deep within the earth's mantle. Coloured diamonds are created due to impurities or deformities in a diamond's lattice of carbon atoms.
In summary, the value of coloured diamonds is primarily determined by their rarity and intensity of color. The most valuable types are fancy vivid pink, blue, and red diamonds due to their exceptional rarity and strong market demand.
Research indicates that the value of coloured diamonds is predominantly influenced by their rarity and the intensity of their color. Publications have documented the emergence of a trend for 'cognac' or 'champagne' brown diamonds.
Fancy Vivid pink diamonds, such as the Argyle Isla, are among the rarest and most sought-after, making them incredibly valuable. Workshops and courses on gemology and jewelry appraisal offer insights into understanding the value of coloured diamonds.
In home-and-garden decor, coloured diamonds are used to add a touch of luxury and elegance, with some people incorporating them into fashion-and-beauty accessories. Food-and-drink industries use coloured diamonds in advertising campaigns to project an exquisite lifestyle image.
When travelers visit places like India's Kollur mine or Australia's Argyle mine, they often find themselves captivated by the allure of coloured diamonds. Tourists can attend workshops and courses on coloured diamonds during travel, enhancing their knowledge and appreciation of these rare gems.
The travel and tourism industry collaborates with fashion-and-beauty companies to host events and exhibitions showcasing coloured diamonds, offering visitors unique experiences and opportunities to learn about these valuable gemstones. These events often attract a diverse crowd, including diamond lovers, fashion enthusiasts, and jewelry collectors.
