The most common coloured diamonds are yellow and brown (champagne and cognac), followed by pink and blue. Green, red, purple and orange are the rarest of coloured diamonds. Diamonds sold for their colour are labelled as “fancy” diamonds and some can rival exceptional white diamonds in cost.
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Fancy or Coloured Diamonds
Coloured diamonds are graded on the intensity of their colour, as opposed to lack of it. They are graded within a different system and do not follow the rules for white diamonds.
Yellow Diamonds
A yellow diamond has an obvious yellow body colour which is caused by the presence of nitrogen in their crystalline structure. Yellow diamonds are the second most common fancy colour after brown diamonds. Their colours range from light to vivid and their value increases with the intensity of colour. Most yellow diamonds have traces of a secondary colour being green and orange. Colour is considered the most important criteria in grading a yellow diamond to determine its value.
Yellow diamonds are found at many diamond deposits throughout the world and are not unique to any specific mine.
The Smales Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring in Platinum makes a bold statement.
Brown (Champagne/Cognac) Diamonds
Brown diamonds, also known as champagne or cognac diamonds, are the most common colour and there are several causes for the brown colour, including irradiation treatment, nickel impurities and lattice defects. Being the most common of coloured diamonds, they can be the least expensive and the price remains quite affordable. A dark or deep brown diamond will be more expensive than a light brown colour.
Before the development of the Argyle mine in Western Australia, most brown diamonds were considered worthless. Brown diamonds have since become popular diamonds.
This Smales Champagne Diamond Ring is rich in beauty and rare in design.
Pink Diamonds
Pink diamonds are amongst the most highly regarded. The source of the pink colour is mostly attributed to pressure that these diamonds undergo during their formation. Pink diamonds range in colour from the palest blush pinks through to deep red. The more intense the colour, the rarer and more expensive it is. Pink diamonds are incredibly sought after due to their limited supply.
Natural pink diamonds can be found in Brazil, Russia, Siberia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Canada but 90% of the world’s supply comes from Western Australia’s Argyle mine.
At Smales Jewellers, these stunning diamonds have been meticulously sourced and created into beautiful bespoke jewellery collections.
Blue Diamonds
A blue diamond has a noticeable blue tone which is a result of trace amounts of boron that contaminate the crystalline lattice structure. They are quite rare and range in colour from light to dark blue with secondary hues of grey and green. The more intense the colour of the blue with no secondary colours present, the rarer and more expensive it is.
Blue diamonds are found in Australia, India and South Africa. The earliest recorded blue diamond, the Hope Diamond, was discovered in India. Blue diamonds have been discovered in the Cullinan Mine in South Africa and a few blue diamonds have been discovered in the Argyle Mine in Western Australia.
Green Diamonds
Green diamonds are very rare. The radiant colour of these natural green diamonds is caused by exposure to radiation and the level of radiation and duration of exposure determines the intensity of the colour. Most green diamonds have a colour that is modified by hints of yellow, blue, or grey.
The conditions in nature to create diamonds are so rare, that they are not found in many places. These rare diamonds have been occasionally found in South America, India, Borneo, Central African Republic and Russia.
Purple Diamonds
Large amounts of hydrogen and boron are present within purple diamonds. Rarely found in pure purple, these diamonds often have hints of a secondary hue of pink or brown. Their colour intensity can range from light to deep. Purple diamonds are not as rare as other coloured diamonds but they can be quite hard to come by, particularly a pure purple diamond without secondary tones.
Purple diamonds are found in very few locations with one of the biggest mines in Australia such as the Argyle mine. Other sites include Canada, Russia and the Amazon. Many purple diamonds can be found in Northern Asia.
Orange Diamonds
Vivid orange diamonds are extremely rare but orange diamonds with modifying colours are relatively common. The presence of nitrogen gives these diamonds their unique colour, similarly to yellow diamonds. They range from vibrant orange to mellow amber and are often referred to as ‘fire’ diamonds. As with most coloured diamonds, the more intense the colour, the rarer the stone.
These diamonds are classified as ‘Orangy’ diamonds if they have less than 25% orange colour. Orangy diamonds are more common and not difficult to come by.
Most orange diamonds come from the Argyle Mine in Australia as well as mines in South Africa.
Red Diamonds
Red diamonds are the rarest of all diamonds and often the most expensive. It is believed that only 30 true gem quality red diamonds exist. The red comes from a rare deformation in the atomic structure, just like colourless diamonds. Red diamonds contain no impurities and are pure carbon. Fancy reds do not have a saturation colour and do not get very large in size, mostly found in sizes less than 1 carat.
Red diamonds are found in a few countries including Australia, Brazil, Russia, and India. The Argyle mines is known for the discovery of their red diamonds.
Smales knowledgeable staff are here to help you purchase the very best value within your budget. Our jewellers from all our showrooms across Perth can guide you through the process to ensure that you end up with that perfect jewellery piece. Make an appointment with one of our diamond specialists today.
