Natural Colored Diamonds

Natural colored diamonds come from various locations around the world.

• Several African countries including South Africa, Botswana, Angola are known for producing colored diamonds.
• India has historically been a significant producer of colored diamonds, particularly yellow diamonds.
• Russia, specifically in the Siberian region, has produced pink, purple, and blue diamonds.
• The Argyle mine in Western Australia, was known for producing a variety of pink, red, and champagne colored diamonds.
• Brazil has also been a source of colored diamonds, including yellow, green and blue diamonds.
• The Diavik and Ekati mines in Canada have yielded some exquisite colored diamonds.

Colored diamonds can also be found in smaller quantities in other regions, such as Venezuela, Guyana, and Indonesia.

Natural colored diamonds obtain their unique and vibrant colors due to the presence of certain trace elements. For example:

• Nitrogen impurities can give diamonds a yellow or brown hue.
• Boron is responsible for giving diamonds a blue color.
• Diamonds that contain hydrogen impurities may display violet or purple colors.
• Exposure to natural radiation over millions of years can lead to colors such as green.
• Structural irregularities or defects in the diamond's crystal lattice can also cause coloration.
• The extreme pressure and heat deep within the Earth's mantle, where diamonds are formed, can alter the crystal structure and cause plastic deformation, resulting in a pink color.
• The specific conditions under which a diamond forms, including the presence of other minerals and elements in the surrounding environment, can influence its color.

In many cases, colored diamonds are the result of a combination of these factors which interact to produce a particular color.

Natural colored diamonds are exceptionally rare compared to colorless (white) diamonds. Colored diamonds make up only a tiny fraction of all diamonds mined globally, typically less than 0.1%. This scarcity makes them highly sought after by collectors and investors. The combination of rarity and beauty makes them some of the most prized gemstones globally and a symbol of luxury and exclusivity in the world of jewelry.

Prices for colored diamonds are determined through a combination of factors that assess its rarity and desirability. Here are some key factors that influence the pricing of natural colored diamonds:

• Color: Certain colors like red, blue, and pink diamonds are much less common in nature to produce than yellow or champagne colored diamonds, hence they command premium prices.
• Hue: The presence of any secondary undertones, also known as modifiers, to the diamond color also affects its value.
• Saturation: The saturation level is a significant factor in determining the value of a colored diamond. The more intense the color, the higher the price. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades colored diamonds on a scale that ranges from:

Faint > Very Light > Light > Fancy Light > Fancy > Fancy Intense > Fancy Vivid, and Fancy Deep.

• Carat: Larger colored diamonds are generally more valuable than smaller ones, but rarity of color can outweigh size in some cases.
• Clarity: Colored diamonds with higher clarity grades command higher prices. However, for some colored diamonds, especially those with intense coloration, inclusions may be less important in determining value.
• Cut: A well-cut colored diamond will exhibit its color in the most striking way, with a fully dispersed and evenly distributed color, enhancing its value.

Due to the complexity of pricing colored diamonds, we encourage you to speak with one of our diamond experts for guidance in choosing a natural colored diamond to ensure a fair and accurate valuation.

Natural colored diamonds symbolize a range of meanings, often influenced by their hue, rarity, and cultural associations. The following is what various colored diamonds typically symbolize:

• Yellow Diamonds - Joy, optimism, energy, and prosperity.
  
• Pink Diamonds - Love, romance, femininity, and grace.
  
• Blue Diamond - Wisdom, truth, tranquility, and royalty.
  
• Green Diamonds - Growth, renewal, nature, and harmony.
  
• Orange Diamonds - Enthusiasm, courage, and creativity.
  
• Champagne Brown Diamonds - Earthiness, stability, and grounding.

Beyond their specific color symbolisms, the diversity of hues among natural colored diamonds represent personal style and emotional connection, often chosen to reflect one's identity.