Colored Diamonds: When Imperfections Create Beauty

Argyle Isla: The Argyle Isla is a 1.14-carat Fancy Red radiant-cut diamond mined from the Argyle Mine in Western Australia. It is one of the most valuable diamonds in the world on the basis of dollars per carat. It was part of the Argyle Tender Heroes sale in 2017. Image Copyright 2017 by Rio Tinto.

ADVERTISEMENT

Prices of Colored Diamonds

A combination of rarity, beauty, and intense buyer interest drives the prices of colored diamonds. The rarest colored diamonds often sell for millions of dollars per carat. They have more value for their size than almost any other material. At the same time, some colored diamonds sell for prices that many people can afford.

The most affordable colored diamonds have a brown, gray, or black color. Among colored diamonds, these colors are the least rare and most affordable. Attractive diamonds in these colors often sell for a few thousand dollars per carat. They sometimes sell for prices that are lower than diamonds on the D-to-Z color scale that are of similar size, cut, and clarity.

Yellow diamonds are next in rarity. They are more rare than brown, gray, and black diamonds. Many people consider yellow diamonds to be the most beautiful yellow gem because of their brightness, fire, and exceptional luster. Beautiful diamonds with a Fancy yellow color can often be purchased for $5,000 to $10,000 per carat in sizes under two carats. Many people do not realize that yellow diamonds are an option in this price range. Here is their chance to get a colored diamond at a surprising price.

Blue, green, and pink diamonds are much more rare than yellow diamonds. Another step up in rarity are orange, violet, and red diamonds. These colors often sell for over $100,000 per carat, and those of finest color and quality will sell for over $1,000,000 per carat.

The price of a colored diamond depends on more than its hue. Color saturation and the uniformity of color across the face of the gem are also important. Those with a pure hue are generally more desirable than those with modifying colors. As with all diamonds, the size of the gem and the quality of the cut are also very important.

In the past decade, colored diamonds grown in laboratories and natural diamonds with color produced by treatment have become more common in the market. These diamonds are not rare, and they sell for lower prices than natural diamonds with colors of natural origin. To ensure the identity of what you are purchasing, gemological laboratories can examine a diamond to determine if it is natural or laboratory grown. The labs can also determine the origin of a diamond's color. These laboratory services have a cost that is very low compared to the cost of a diamond. Identification and grading by a reputable laboratory is an essential part of any colored diamond transaction.