Diamonds are available in various colors, including white, yellow, brown, red, purple, blue, and green. The hue might be either natural or man-made.
Natural fancy color diamonds are colored in a variety of ways. The hue can be attributed to trace components in the stones, such as nitrogen, which results in a yellow diamond. The diamond could have been subjected to radiation during its formation; green diamonds are an example of a gem that has been impacted by radiation. Inclusions, considered undesirable in a colorless diamond, frequently give distinct tones and fascinating flashes of color in a fancy color diamond.
The inherent hue of a diamond can be enhanced or changed. Fancy color diamonds are becoming increasingly popular. Thus gemologists have devised methods to produce more economical versions by combining heat and radiation to transform brownish and yellow diamonds into colorful show-stoppers at a low cost.
Because most natural colored diamonds are uncommon and expensive, treatments enable more consumers to purchase these vibrant stones. Any inexpensive fancy color diamond should be assumed to have been treated in some way. If you have doubts about a stone's origins, get a lab certificate to prove its authenticity. If a colored diamond is provided at a low price, it is safe to conclude that the color is artificial.
Unscrupulous vendors occasionally use coatings to hide or enhance the actual color of a diamond. Wear or cleaning solutions can remove these coatings. Brown and yellow diamonds are converted into fancy hues such as green, brilliant yellows, blues, purples, reds, and other colors using irradiation followed by high heat treatment. This color change is usually permanent. However, it may be influenced if excessive heat is applied when fixing repairs.
HPHT was used initially to change low-priced yellowish diamonds into beautiful colored gemstones, but it is now used to transform them into absolutely colorless diamonds that can be sold for much greater prices. Some companies say HPHT is not an artificial treatment but rather a procedure that completes the job that nature began. Diamonds are certainly subjected to such an environment in the soil, and when the process is repeated in a man-made setting, it is difficult to detect through stone examination. When HTPT treatments are identified, GIA grading reports now state "HPHT Annealed" or "Artificially Irradiated" in the Origins section. The FTC requires diamonds that have been treated to HPHT to be labeled as such.
Colored synthetic diamonds are also available. These are chemically identical to genuine diamonds. However, they are manufactured in a laboratory. The secret to creating diamonds was found in the 1950s when Swedish and American researchers simultaneously synthesized diamonds. This method required pressures of over 55,000 atmospheres and 1400 degrees Celsius, as well as molten iron, to transform graphite to diamond. General Electric and De Beers generate roughly 80 tons of synthetic diamonds annually, largely for industrial purposes.
However, some companies are also making high-quality synthetic diamonds. This method allows purchasers who could not afford a natural stone to acquire a beautiful color diamond. Genesis, for example, specialized in manufacturing yellow and orange fancy hue diamonds.
Several factors influence the price of colored diamonds. The more uncommon and vivid the color, the more expensive the diamond. In contrast to white diamonds, the presence or absence of inclusions is secondary. Colored diamonds have their own grading system and are divided into nine categories by the GIA: Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Dark, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep, and Fancy Vivid.
The most frequent diamonds are yellow and brownish; the rarest and most costly are blue, green, and notably red. Although yellow and pink diamonds are the most popular, public tastes may alter in the future. Pink diamond sales were boosted by Jennifer Lopez's huge pink diamond ring. Celebrity preferences have a significant impact on luxury product trends.
Yellow and brown diamonds, sometimes known as Champagne diamonds, are less expensive than white diamonds. Champagne diamonds with a secondary pink tint are in high demand. When viewed from above, these stones exhibit faint to bold bursts of pink in their fire. These stones are available in a dazzling array of champagne tones, ranging from light champagne to opulent cognac. A very pale yellow diamond will be classified in the X to Z color range, making it more similar to a low-end white diamond than a fancy hue. Yellow diamonds with high intensity, such as vivid or deep, are extremely rare and thus more valuable.
Natural fancy pink diamonds are extremely rare, accounting for less than 1% of the Argyle mine's output. Pink diamonds mined in India, Brazil, and Africa are often softer in hue than Argyle diamonds, which are highly pink. Pink, Purplish pink, Brownish pink, Orangey pink, and Pink Champagne are the five primary color groups for these gems. Pink diamonds with no secondary hue are the most valuable and rare.
The Argyle mine in Western Australia's Kimberley region is the world's largest diamond provider by volume. It is also the world's leading producer of brightly colored pink diamonds, accounting for 95 percent of global production. However, pink diamonds account for a very minor percentage of Argyle diamond production, accounting for less than one-tenth of one percent. The pink diamonds of Argyle have gained in popularity during the last decade. A 3.14 carat Argyle pink sold for $1,510,000 at the 1989 Christie's auction in New York. Argyle has privately sold pink diamonds for up to $1 million per carat.
The Argyle mine, which was also a pioneer in the creation of hitherto unpopular brownish diamonds, was the first to use the names "champagne" and "cognac" in a marketing push to enhance public appreciation of these stones. It appears to have worked, as brown diamonds are growing more expensive as they are used in more jewelry.
The final price of a stone depends on its clarity, color dispersion, and cut within a particular grade. Smaller diamonds (less than 0.80 carats) can cost 10% to 20% less than larger, rarer jewels. Exceptionally well-cut stones and stones with VVS or IF clarity might cost 10% to 20% extra. Secondary hues, such as brownish yellow, are less expensive.
An excellent cut adds shine to a fancy diamond and helps to bring out the most intense hue. To maximize light refraction, white diamonds are cut regularly. When cutting colored diamonds, however, the cutter frequently analyzes the inclusions in the stone, which might enhance the diamond's color. Facets and angles also contribute to the color of a diamond, so the cutter must evaluate which shape would bring out the best color in the gemstone.
Direct from the mine wholesalers or merchants who acquire rough stone or newly cut diamonds straight from the source give the most excellent pricing. Not all wholesalers will sell to private purchasers, but those who do can save their customers a significant amount of money.
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