The Ultimate Guide to Natural Colored Diamonds: Everything You Need to Know

Colored Diamonds, popularly known as fancy-colored diamonds or natural-colored diamonds, are absolutely stunning. They are not only beautiful but also scarce. Only One of every 10,000ct diamonds is a naturally colored diamond. 

Let’s unravel the world of color diamonds and answer some frequently asked questions. 

Which diamonds are termed Colored Diamonds?

Colored diamonds have a noticeable body color when you look at them from the naked eye. 

Most naturally coloured diamonds are created when a chemical reaction occurs between elements and carbon atoms. Different chemical elements result in various shades of colors, such as nitrogen, sulfur, and boron, creating shades of yellow, green, and blue. 

The color can have varied intensity from “very light” to “vivid.”

What colors do you get in Colored Diamonds?

As a thumb rule, the more impurities diamond has, the deeper the shade of the color will be 

Yellow: Yellow is the most common color among colored diamonds. The color of a yellow diamond is caused by nitrogen impurities. 

Pink: Pink diamonds are scarce and highly sought-after. A combination of factors, including boron impurities and structural defects, result in pink color.

Blue: Blue diamonds are also rare and valuable. Blue diamond color is caused by boron impurities. Kohinoor diamond is one of most rare and popular blue color diamond.

Green: Green diamonds are less common than blue diamonds, but they are still valuable. The color of a green diamond is caused by radiation exposure.

Red: Red diamonds are the rarest and most valuable type. The color of a red diamond is caused by a combination of factors, including boron impurities and structural defects.

Orange: Orange diamonds are rare and highly prized. Orange color occurs by a combination of factors, including nitrogen impurities and structural defects.

Brown: Brown diamonds are the most common type of colored diamond after yellow diamonds. The color of a brown diamond is caused by a combination of factors, including nitrogen impurities and structural defects.

Violet: Violet diamonds are rare and highly prized. The color of a violet diamond is caused by a combination of factors, including boron impurities and structural defects.

Black: Black diamonds are not technically colored diamonds but are often included in the category because of their unique appearance. Black diamonds are caused by tiny inclusions that scatter light in all directions, giving the diamond a dark, opaque appearance.

Do Colored Diamonds occur naturally? 

Yes, they occur naturally. However, the color of a diamond is a result of chemical impurities and structural defects in the crystal lattice. 

Of 100,000 diamonds, only a few will have one of the rare colors.

Where do they come from? 

They come from mines across the world, six out of seven continents. 

Australia: It may be safe to say Australia used to be the world’s leading producer of naturally colored diamonds. The Argyle mine in Western Australia WAS the most famous source, especially for pink color diamonds. It shut down in 2020 after it ran dry. It still has some mines left though.

Brazil: Brazil is another major producer. The mines in Brazil are known for their yellow and brown diamonds.

Russia: Russia is home to some of the world’s most rare and valuable color diamonds. Alrosa, Yakutia are known for unearthing some beautiful colored diamonds.

Botswana: Botswana is a relatively new producer. It has helped them uplift the country’s economy.

Colored diamonds are prized for their beauty and rarity. They are often used in jewelry but can also be used in industrial applications.

Are Colored Diamonds more expensive? 

Yes and No. They are typically priced as per their COLOR and 4C’s. This is because they are rarer and more desirable. The rarity of a colored diamond is determined by its color, intensity, and clarity. The more rare the color, the more expensive the diamond will be. In an apple to apple comparison between colored diamond and colorless (white) diamonds, if the diamonds has intense deep color, the cost of the colored diamond may be more than the cost of (white) diamonds.

Some broad factors are 

  • Depth of the color: 

For example, a pink diamond with vivid color and excellent clarity can cost millions. A blue diamond with the same characteristics can also be costly. On the other hand, a yellow diamond with a light color and good clarity can be relatively affordable.

  • Size: 

The price of a colored diamond also depends on its size. Larger diamonds are generally more expensive than smaller diamonds. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, a small pink diamond with a vivid color can be more valuable than a larger yellow diamond with a light color.

Suppose you are considering buying a colored diamond. In that case, it is essential to research and understand the factors that affect the price. You should also be prepared to pay a premium for a rare and desirable color.

How are Colored Diamonds priced? 

Colored diamonds are priced using the 4Cs: cut, clarity, carat, and color. However, the color grading system for colored diamonds differs from those used for colorless diamonds.

  • Color Scale: 

The color of a colored diamond is graded on a scale of Very Light to Vivid. The more intense the color, the higher the grade. The color grade is also affected by the diamond’s hue, saturation, and tone.

  • The hue: 

It is the dominant color of the diamond. For example, a pink diamond with a strong pink hue would be graded higher than a pink diamond with a slight pink hue.

  • The saturation: 

It is the purity of the color. A diamond with high saturation will have a deep and vibrant color. A diamond with low saturation will have a more muted and washed-out color.

  • The tone

It is the lightness or darkness of the color. A diamond with a high tone will have a darker color. A diamond with a low tone will have a lighter color.

In addition to the color grade, the price of a colored diamond also affects the 4’Cs found in the diamond. Particularly in the case of colored diamonds, size plays a significant role. 

Larger diamonds are generally more expensive than smaller diamonds. However, the increase in the price per carat is only sometimes linear to the carat size.

Are Colored Diamonds rare? 

Yes, colored diamonds are rare. They make up less than 1% of all diamonds that are mined. The rarity of a colored diamond is determined by its color, intensity, and clarity. The more rare the color, the more expensive the diamond will be.

In some cases, the rarity of colored diamonds also makes them more expensive than colorless diamonds.

What Colored Diamonds are the rarest? 

Some of the rarest colored diamonds include:

Pink diamonds: Rarest of all, Pink diamonds are a favorite among colored diamonds. Only about 200 pink diamonds are mined each year.

Blue diamonds: Blue diamonds are also rare. Only about 1,000 blue diamonds are mined each year.

Red diamonds: Red diamonds are the rarest of all colored diamonds. Only about 20 red diamonds are mined each year.

Wrapping up 

Every colored diamond mine has unique properties; thus, the brilliance and color vary, which makes it special. Most of us lean more towards the staple colorless (white) diamonds; investing in a few natural fancy colored diamonds to pass down generations might be a great idea.  

I am a big fan of deep Champagne (another name for Brown Diamonds) colored diamonds. Probably because it won’t cause a dent in my pocket. 

If you want specific information, you can always write to connect@firstgenjeweller.

You may also want to read

Lab Grown Diamonds vs Mined Diamonds: An Overview of Environmental Impact 

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