Fancy Colored Diamonds- What They Are and How You Can Get One!
While white diamonds have long been cherished for their timeless beauty, colored diamonds are a whole new level of beauty and glamor. From the vivid blues of the Hope Diamond to the fiery pinks of the Pink Star, colored diamonds have captivated the hearts of jewelry enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
There are a lot of reasons why these gorgeous stones are the ultimate. They come in an exquisite range of hues including vivid blues, vibrant pinks, and intense yellows, among others. Their rare and captivating colors give them a distinct individuality, allowing for personal expression and the creation of truly one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.
So what’s the story behind these vibrant gemstones? How are they formed and what gives them their vivid hues? Can they be affordable? (The answer to this one is an absolute yes!) Now let’s take a closer look at the exceptional beauty that lies within each exquisite colored diamond.
Yellow Diamonds
Yellow diamonds, also known as canary diamonds, are prized for their vibrant and sunny hues. Their captivating color is primarily caused by the presence of nitrogen impurities within the diamond's crystal structure. The nitrogen atoms absorb blue light, resulting in the yellow coloration. Around 60% of colored diamonds are yellow.
Yellow diamonds are evaluated on the GIA color grading scale and may be categorized as Faint, Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep, or Fancy Dark. The grades range from the subtlest hint of yellow in the Faint category to the most vivid and intense hues in the Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep, or Fancy Dark classifications. Yellow diamonds have a rich and fascinating history. They were first discovered in India centuries ago and were revered for their beauty and rarity.
The most known Yellow Diamond is of course the iconic Tiffany Yellow Diamond. One of the most famous yellow diamonds in the world, was unearthed in South Africa in the late 19th century. Its magnificent 128.54-carat size makes it one of the largest yellow diamonds ever discovered!
Yellow diamonds are also associated with positivity, joy, and energy, making them an excellent choice for those seeking a gemstone that embodies optimism and warmth. They’ve been spotted on engagement rings worn by Scarlett Johannson, Carrie Underwood, and Kelly Clarkson, so they’re as trendy as they are beautiful.
Pink Diamonds
Pink diamonds range in hue from delicate pastels to vibrant shades of pink, making them one of the rarest and most coveted gemstones. A specific lattice defect known as plastic deformation is responsible for their unique color. This defect causes the diamond's crystal lattice to distort, altering the way it absorbs and reflects light, resulting in the stunning pink coloration.
Pink diamonds are renowned for their captivating beauty and exquisite rarity, making them truly remarkable gemstones. They may be either Type IA or Type IIA, and most came from the Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia (which has now closed). In fact, the Argyle pink diamonds are particularly treasured due to their unrivaled intensity and exceptional quality.
These vibrant stones are typically discovered in a range of intensity levels, including Faint, Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, and Fancy Vivid. The price is influenced by its intensity level, with higher intensities commanding greater value. However, other factors such as color combinations, clarity, cut, and carat weight also contribute to determining the diamond's overall worth.
The Pink Star is one of the most famous pink diamonds in the world, boasting a stunning 59.60-carat weight and a record-breaking sale price of over $71 million. These gorgeous stones are also a major hit with celebrities: just ask Blake Lively and Jennifer Lopez about their engagement rings!
Blue Diamonds
Blue diamonds come in a range of colors, from pastel tones to deep, vivid shades. As they form, trace elements, mainly boron, contribute to their captivating color. When exposed to intense pressure and heat deep within the Earth's crust, the boron atoms merge into the diamond's crystal lattice, resulting in the mesmerizing blue color.
One of the reasons why blue diamonds are so amazing is their rarity, making up less than 0.02% of mined diamonds. The majority are Type IIb diamonds, which represent only 0.1% of all color diamonds! This rarity commands a high price: the Blue Moon Diamond, for instance, sold for a record-breaking price of over $48 million in 2015, setting a new benchmark for blue diamond sales!
Blue diamonds are categorized as Fancy Color Diamonds due to their rich and distinct color. The value of a blue diamond is assessed using a grading scale that includes various intensity levels. These levels range from Faint Blue, Very Light Blue, and Light Blue, to Fancy Light Blue, Fancy Blue, Fancy Intense Blue, Fancy Deep Blue, and Fancy Vivid Blue. In cases where a secondary color is present, the designation of Fancy Dark may also be applied.
One of the most famous blue diamonds is the Hope Diamond, which was discovered in India and has been associated with legends and tales of mystery throughout history. Renowned for its deep blue color and remarkable size, it is currently displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Green Diamonds
Green diamonds are rare and captivating gemstones known for their unique and enchanting color. Their green hue is caused by the presence of natural radiation during their formation process deep within the Earth's crust. The exposure to radiation alters the diamond's crystal lattice structure, resulting in the absorption and reflection of green light.
These richly hued stones are among the rarest colored diamonds, making up a small fraction of the world's diamond supply. In fact, there are only about 300 vivid green diamonds above one carat in size.
The most valuable green diamonds are those that exhibit a pure and unadulterated green color, known as True Green. Green diamonds with secondary colors, such as blue or yellow, are considered less valuable in comparison. They are graded as follows: Faint, Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep and Fancy Dark.
Several noteworthy green diamonds have gained recognition in the gem world. The Dresden Green diamond weighs an impressive 40.70 carats, making it the largest natural green diamond in existence. This exceptional gem exhibits a flawlessly even color distribution. The Aurora Green, a rectangular-cut diamond weighing 5.03 carats, boasting VS2 clarity, and exhibiting a Fancy Vivid Green color, fetched an extraordinary $16.8 million at auction in 2016, equating to an astonishing $3.3 million per carat!
Can You Afford a Colored Diamond?
Make no mistake about it- natural colored diamonds can be pricey! An average medium-toned 1 carat blue diamond can cost $200,000 while a pink diamond's price can range from $10,000 to over $700,000 for a single carat! Green diamonds go for anywhere between $15,000 to $500,000 per carat while a yellow diamond averages $3,000-5,000 per carat. Getting a colored diamond at a fantastic price can be achieved by considering alternatives such as lab-grown diamonds or Moissanite.
At Keyzar, our lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment that replicates the natural process of diamond formation. These diamonds possess the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds, including their stunning colors, but for a fraction of the price: only $2000 to $5000 per carat.
Similarly, Moissanite is a gemstone that closely resembles a diamond in appearance but is composed of silicon carbide. The biggest benefit of moissanites is their price - only $400 to $500 per carat.
Both lab-grown diamonds and colored Moissanite offer several advantages over natural colored diamonds in terms of affordability. Firstly, the cost of production for lab diamonds is generally much lower compared to mining and extracting natural diamonds. The controlled production process allows for more efficient and cost-effective manufacturing, resulting in reduced prices for consumers. Additionally, the availability of lab-grown diamonds iis relatively higher, making them more accessible and affordable in the market.
Furthermore, the sourcing of natural colored diamonds is rare and limited, contributing to their higher price tags. Natural colored diamonds undergo a lengthy and unpredictable formation process, which affects their scarcity and value. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds and Moissanite can be produced in larger quantities, ensuring a wider selection of colored options at more affordable price points.
Choosing a lab-grown diamond or Moissanite as an alternative to a natural colored diamond allows you to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of a colored stone while being more budget-friendly. These options provide an opportunity to acquire a stunning colored gemstone at a fantastic price without compromising on quality or aesthetic appeal.
Conclusion
Exploring alternative options like lab-grown diamonds or Moissanite can offer an excellent opportunity to own a colored diamond at a fantastic price. These alternatives provide affordability without compromising on the beauty and allure of a colored center stone. Whether you choose a vibrant yellow, captivating blue, enchanting pink, or any other stunning hue, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating a one-of-a-kind engagement ring.
At Keyzar, we understand the importance of personalization and individuality. That's why we offer the unique opportunity to design your own engagement ring online, allowing you to select a colored center stone that speaks to your style and preferences. Contact our team to order your colored lab diamond now!
