ENDS SOON! Receive up to $1,000 in Jewelry Value With All Purchases. Use Code GIVEAWAY in Cart.
ENDS SOON! Up to $1,000 in Jewelry Value With All Purchases.
Use Code GIVEAWAY in Cart.
Use Code GIVEAWAY in Cart.
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What Are Colored Diamonds?
Colored diamonds are diamonds that exhibit distinct hues beyond the traditional colorless or near-colorless range. Colored diamonds fall into a special category in diamond grading and valuation due to their rarity, uniqueness, and growing popularity.
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Fancy Colored Diamonds
Colored diamond colors can range from red, pink, purple, blue, green, orange, yellow, brown, gray, black, violet, and white. Within each hue, there are numerous variations and combinations, resulting in hundreds of color possibilities. Unlike colorless diamonds, which are graded on the absence of color, colored diamonds are graded based on the presence, strength, and distribution of color. These hues occur due to natural chemical impurities, structural anomalies during the diamond’s formation, or radiation.
The main difference between colorless diamonds and color diamonds lies in color presence and grading criteria. Colorless diamonds are graded on the absence of color using the D-to-Z scale, while colored diamonds are graded based on hue, tone, and saturation. The stronger and purer the color, the more valuable the diamond tends to be.
The term “fancy” applies to any diamond whose color falls outside the normal D-to-Z range and exhibits enough saturation to be visually distinct. Fancy colored diamonds are diamonds that show a noticeable body color, graded as "Fancy" by gemological laboratories like the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). Fancy color grading evaluates three main attributes:
- Hue – the actual color (e.g., pink, blue, green)
- Tone – the lightness or darkness of the color
- Saturation – the strength or intensity of the color
Fancy color grades include classifications such as Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid, and Fancy Deep. Higher saturation and rarity usually result in a higher price point. These diamonds are prized not just for their color, but also for how rare and difficult they are to find in nature.
Types of Colored Diamonds
Natural Colored Diamonds
Natural colored diamonds get their color from specific conditions during their formation deep within the Earth’s mantle. Trace elements or structural distortions in the carbon lattice contribute to their hues:
- Yellow and brown diamonds often contain nitrogen.
- Blue diamonds may contain boron.
- Green diamonds gain their color from natural radiation exposure.
- Pink and red diamonds typically result from plastic deformation, a structural distortion in the crystal lattice.
These diamonds are mined from regions like Australia (Argyle mine, formerly the primary source of pink diamonds), Africa, and Brazil. Because of their natural origins and limited availability, natural colored diamonds — especially those with strong saturation — can command extremely high prices in the market.
Lab Grown Colored Diamonds
Lab grown colored diamonds are diamonds produced in laboratory environments using High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) methods. These techniques replicate the conditions that form natural diamonds but allow for more control over the resulting color.
In some cases, lab grown diamonds are treated post-growth to achieve specific colors. For example, HPHT treatments can introduce or remove color by altering atomic structure or impurity concentration. Lab grown colored diamonds can be created in nearly any hue, often at a significantly lower cost than natural stones.
Because of their affordability and ethical sourcing, lab grown colored diamonds have become a popular alternative for consumers seeking vibrant color and sustainability.
Colored Diamonds Value
Colored diamonds' value depends heavily on color intensity, rarity, size, and origin. Unlike white diamonds, where clarity and cut dominate pricing, color is the most important factor for fancy colored diamonds.
Diamonds with strong, pure hues (like Fancy Vivid Pink or Fancy Deep Blue) are far more valuable than diamonds with light or uneven color distribution. Natural origin also greatly increases value, as lab grown stones are less rare and usually less expensive.
Prices can range from a few thousand dollars per carat for Fancy Light Yellow or brown diamonds to several million dollars per carat for intensely saturated pink, blue, or red diamonds. Fancy colored diamonds are considered not only fine jewelry but also long-term investments by collectors and institutions.
Rare Colored Diamonds
Rare colored diamonds include stones with unusual hues or those found in limited quantities. Some of the rarest and most valuable colors include:
- Red diamonds – Considered the rarest of all, with less than a few dozen true Fancy Red diamonds known to have been graded by GIA.
- Blue diamonds – Extremely rare and famously valuable; the Hope Diamond is a well-known example.
- Green diamonds – Naturally irradiated green diamonds are rare and difficult to find with an even, saturated color.
- Pink diamonds – Increasingly rare and have surged in value, especially those from the now-closed Argyle Mine.
Collectors and investors often seek out these rare diamonds for their historical significance, market scarcity, and lasting value.
FAQ
Are colored diamonds natural?
Yes, colored diamonds can be natural. They form under specific conditions in the Earth where trace elements or structural distortions cause visible color. However, not all colored diamonds are natural — some are lab grown or treated to achieve color.
Are colored diamonds more expensive?
Colored diamonds can be more expensive than colorless diamonds, depending on the rarity and intensity of the color. For example, a Fancy Vivid Pink or Blue natural diamond may be significantly more expensive per carat than a D colorless diamond. However, some colored diamonds, such as light yellow or brown tones, may be more affordable.
How are colored diamonds made?
Colored diamonds are made when trace elements or structural distortions affect how the crystal lattice absorbs and reflects light. For example:
- Nitrogen can produce yellow tones.
- Boron can create blue diamonds.
- Natural radiation can result in green hues.
In lab settings, colored diamonds are created using HPHT or CVD processes and sometimes enhanced with treatments.
Are colored diamonds real?
Yes, colored diamonds are real diamonds if they are composed of carbon arranged in a crystalline structure. Whether natural or lab grown, they have the same physical and chemical properties as traditional white diamonds.
Can diamonds be colored?
Yes, diamonds can be colored. Natural geological processes or human-engineered conditions can produce or enhance color in diamonds. Fancy colored diamonds exist across a broad spectrum including pink, yellow, green, blue, orange, and even red.
What are the most expensive colored diamonds?
The most expensive colored diamonds are often red, blue, or pink with intense saturation and large carat sizes. Examples include:
- The Pink Star (Fancy Vivid Pink, 59.60 carats) sold for $71.2 million.
- The Hope Diamond (Fancy Deep Blue, 45.52 carats), though not for sale, is priceless due to historical significance.
- The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond (Fancy Deep Blue) sold for over $24 million.
What is the rarest colored diamond?
Red diamonds are the rarest colored diamonds known. Fewer than a handful of true Fancy Red diamonds are discovered in any given decade, most weighing less than one carat. Their scarcity makes them exceptionally valuable.
What is the difference between a clear diamond and a colored diamond?
The main difference lies in color presence and grading criteria:
- Clear diamonds (also called colorless) are graded on the absence of color using the D-to-Z scale.
- Colored diamonds are graded based on hue, tone, and saturation. The stronger and purer the color, the more valuable the diamond tends to be.
How many different colored diamonds are there?
There are 12 main hues recognized in colored diamonds: red, pink, purple, blue, green, orange, yellow, brown, gray, black, violet, and white. It’s important to note that Fancy White diamonds are not colorless; instead, they are recognized in rare cases where a milky or opalescent appearance is present. Within each hue, there are numerous variations and combinations, resulting in hundreds of color possibilities.
