Guide on Priced Diamonds: From the Least Expensive to the Most Prized Colored Diamonds
Unveiling the Allure of Coloured Diamonds
Coloured diamonds, with their unique hues and captivating brilliance, have long been the objects of desire for jewellery enthusiasts and collectors alike. These precious gems, rare and exquisite, hold a special place in the world of gemstones, commanding premium prices and captivating the imagination.
The rarest and most sought-after of coloured diamonds are the blue diamonds, owing their colour to infinitesimal levels of boron impurities. The most expensive fancy vivid blue diamond ever sold, the 14.6ct Oppenheimer Blue, fetched a sum of $57,500,000 at Christie's in May 2016. Another noteworthy blue diamond is the Winston Pink Legacy, which, despite its name, is a blue diamond that sold for a staggering $50,375,000 at Christie's in 2018.
Red diamonds, such as the 5.11ct Moussaieff Red discovered in Brazil in 1990 and bought by Moussaieff Jewellers in the early 2000s, are another rare and valuable variety. The Argyle Isla, a 1.14 carat radiant shaped fancy red diamond, is a notable example of a red diamond.
Pink diamonds, accounting for only 0.1% of overall production from the Argyle mine in Australia, are another coveted coloured diamond. Their colour is primarily due to a deformation of the diamond lattice, mainly due to tectonic plate collisions. The largest ever orange diamond, a 14.82ct pear-shaped fancy vivid orange, sold for CHF 32,645,000 at Christie's in 2013.
Yellow diamonds, the youngest diamonds where nitrogen atoms have not joined forces, and violet diamonds, exceptionally rare and hard to value, round off the spectrum of coloured diamonds. Grey diamonds, gaining their colour through hydrogen impurities, are the most common, making up 98% of all mined diamonds, but a trend for 'cognac' or 'champagne' diamonds emerged in the 1990s.
The value of coloured diamonds is influenced by several key factors. The depth, uniformity, and purity of the diamond’s color are the most significant determinants of value. Diamonds with pure, vivid, and intense colors (such as Fancy Vivid classifications by GIA) are generally the most valuable. Even slight increases in saturation can substantially raise the price.
The rarer a diamond's color, the higher its desirability and value. Colors like red, pink, and blue tend to be much rarer and therefore command premium prices. Larger coloured diamonds are far rarer than smaller ones, especially in intense colors like red. While higher carat weight tends to increase value, it is balanced with color quality; a smaller diamond with better color may be more valuable than a larger one with lesser color quality.
The cut affects how well the diamond displays its color and brilliance. Certain shapes (e.g., radiant, cushion, pear) are preferred for concentrating color, enhancing the visual impact and overall value. Clarity is generally a factor for all diamonds, but in coloured diamonds, color intensity is often prioritized. High clarity without compromising color is more valuable.
Provenance such as diamonds from famous mines (e.g., Argyle Mine for pink diamonds) can add historical and collectible value. Certification from reputable labs like GIA confirming natural origin, color grading, and treatments is critical to authenticating value and ensuring investment grade. Diamonds that have undergone treatments to alter their color (irradiation, HPHT) are less valuable than naturally colored stones. Certification verifying a diamond is natural and untreated influences value positively.
Fluorescence, the diamond’s reaction to UV light, can affect appearance and value. Excessive fluorescence causing haziness can reduce value, while optimal fluorescence may enhance appearance and be acceptable to buyers.
In summary, the value of coloured diamonds depends primarily on their natural, untreated color quality (intensity and purity), rarity of hue, carat size, cut quality, clarity, and verified origin via certification. These factors collectively determine their market desirability and investment potential.
Research on coloured diamonds reveals that their value is contingent on several factors, including their natural, untreated color quality, rarity of hue, carat size, cut quality, clarity, and verified origin via certification. Workshops and courses in gemology and diamond appraisal offer insights into these factors and their impact on value. Publications on the subject provide valuable information for collectors and enthusiasts, delving into the unique properties of each coloured diamond variety like blue, red, pink, yellow, violet, and grey diamonds.
Fashion-and-beauty and lifestyle magazines increasingly feature coloured diamonds in their jewelry and accessories sections, demonstrating their allure and status symbol appeal. Travel guides showcasing luxury destinations often highlight exclusive jewelry boutiques offering coloured diamonds, making them a desired addition to one's travel itinerary.
Weather conditions can affect the appearance of coloured diamonds, with extreme temperatures or humidity potentially affecting their color intensity. Therefore, care and storage of coloured diamonds require particular attention to maintain their value and visual appeal.
Sports and auto enthusiasts may find coloured diamonds as a unique investment option, with many luxury car manufacturers incorporating them into their vehicle designs. Shopping malls and high-end stores across the globe offer coloured diamonds for purchase, providing ample opportunities for jewelry collectors and fashion enthusiasts to add these precious gems to their lifestyle.
Ultimately, the value and desirability of coloured diamonds are reflective of the wearer's unique taste and discerning eye for luxury. Food-and-drink pairings, home-and-garden décor, and even travel preferences can be influenced by an individual's affinity for coloured diamonds and the prestige they represent.
