Diamonds come in virtually all colors of the rainbow, from violet to shades of blue, brown, grey, orange, green, red, etc. But natural colored diamonds are very rare and precious. They are created by nature in the same exact way that the colorless diamonds are – under high temperatures and pressure. Let’s learn and see how the Mother Nature mixes those colors in.
Yellow diamonds are also known as “canaries.” Mother Nature’s addition of nitrogen atoms sprinkled into diamond’s lattice can cause a yellow color. That, plus temperatures over 1400 degrees Celsius agitate the nitrogen atoms to “dance” around, forming groups of yellow. A top of the line 1 carat canary diamond can easily run $30,000.
Pink diamonds have been used in jewelry for hundreds of years, dating back before 15th century. However, it wasn’t until the opening of the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia in the 1980’s that there was a sufficient supply to market them on a worldwide scale. The color of the pink diamond is due to a microscopic imperfection at the atomic level. No trace of the ingredient here, just an irregular growth pattern at a submolecular level. Fancy pink diamonds will go for $ 100,000 per carat and deeper pinks can easily reach over $250,000 per carat.
Blue diamonds – the secret ingredient behind some of the world’s most renowned diamonds, like the Hope Diamond in Washington D.C’s Smithsonian Institute, is boron. Just as nitrogen added to a mix for a canary, boron gas turns a white diamond blue. Blue diamonds are one of the rarest colored diamonds fetching prices from $100,000 to $650,00+ per carat.
Green diamonds, as we continue to climb the scale of the world’s most valuable colored diamonds, come in at second place. With prices ranging from $500,000 to $750,000+ per carat, green diamonds owe their beautiful color to high-energy gamma or neutron radiation.
Red diamonds are at the top of the chain when it come to the world’s most expensive baubles. They are priced at $1 million+ per carat. Like the pinks, their atomic structure is imperfect. But if Mother Nature hadn’t gone amok, we wouldn’t have the handful of samples available to study. There are some private collectors that have been waiting in line for over 15 years for the next red that will hit the market.
Now, “cognac or champagne” diamonds are a by-product of plastic deformation of the atomic crystal lattice structure of a diamond. They are relatively inexpensive and have little or no secondary market value. Black diamonds are typically black because they have been irradiated by man. It is possible to find a black natural diamond (carbonado), but many of the diamonds that are for sale have been treated. Just like brown, they are very inexpensive and should serve only novelty market.
Well, whatever color of the rainbow you will choose to wear on your finger… we are here to help you with finding a perfect stone for you
Please, call us at 1-213-627-1300 or visit deBebians.com with any questions.