10 Year Track Record Of Natural Colored Diamonds
Colored Diamonds
Pink
Researchers theorize that the color in many Pink Diamonds is caused by centers that can selectively absorb light in the visible region of the spectrum. Color centers are the result of lattice defects, or imperfections in the arrangement of atoms in the crystal.
Yellow
The presence of nitrogen causes a diamond to appear Yellow. The intensity of the yellow color is dependent upon varying amounts of nitrogen.
Blue
The presence of boron impurities is often responsible for the color of Natural Blue Diamonds. The more boron, the deeper the blue. However, their color can also be caused by radiation exposure or associated with hydrogen. India was historically the source for Blue Diamonds. Within the last several years, notable Blue Diamonds have been found at the Cullinan Mine is South Africa.
Orange
The presence of nitrogen within the diamond is the main source of the orange color It is how the nitrogen atoms are grouped during the diamond’s formation which absorbs hints of blue and yellow light, creating an orange color.Pure Orange diamonds are incredibly rare!
Brown
Brown diamonds gained cachet in the 1980s when the Argyle mine offered them as champagne, cognac and chocolate diamonds. The color in natural Brown Diamonds is caused by internal parallel brown grain lines due to distortion of the crystal lattice. Brown & Pink are often found together. Their composition is very similar.
Green
Green Diamonds get their color over millions of years when radiation displaces carbon atoms from their normal positions in the crystal structure. Naturally colored Green Diamonds are extremely rare. In May 2016, The Aurora Green set a record for a green diamond at auction.
Red
Only a handful of red diamonds larger than 2 carats have been found. Red Diamonds are so rare that from 1957 to 1987 GIA did not issue a lab report for a diamond with “red” as the only descriptive term. “Predominantly red” means that red is the primary color with no secondary hues.
Purple & Violet
Many scientists believe Natural Purple and Violet Diamonds are formed due to post-growth plastic deformation traveling from the earth’s mantle to the surface via magma.
Track Record Of Natural Colored Diamonds
History of Colored Diamonds
History shows that Colored Diamonds have been valued since the Roman Times. Fancy Colored Diamonds were first classified in sixth century India. The grading system was based on the country’s class system. Brahmins owned the whitest diamonds, landowners were allowed various shades of Brown Colored Diamonds, merchants could own Yellow Diamonds and lower classes could possess Gray or Black Diamonds. Only Kings could possess any color of diamond they wished.
The GIA first issued origin-of-color reports for Colored Diamonds is 1956. Backed by decades of research and the examination of thousands of Colored Diamonds, the GIA Colored Diamond Grading System has become the standard for evaluating the gems.
This marked the ascent of colored diamonds as a mainstream Asset and Wealth accumulation vehicle. The GIA Certificate provided the knowledge base needed to give the private client the confidence to purchase a Colored Diamond.
The GIA Colored Diamond Grading Report provides a full quality assessment of a colored diamond including the colored diamond color grade, color origin (natural or treated), carat weight, clarity, and a plotted diagram of its clarity characteristics. As an optional service, a full-color image of the diamond may also be included.
Unlike GIA’s D-to-Z color grading system, which is based on the relative absence of color, colored diamond color grading is based on the presence of color. Using a controlled viewing and lighting environment and a comprehensive set of color comparators, trained graders consistently determine the characteristic color of a diamond and assign a color grade (“pink,” for example). The hue chosen is modified by a “Fancy-grade” term, such as Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep, Fancy Vivid or Fancy Dark, which describes the combined effect of tone and saturation.
Colored Diamonds Dealer Pricing Guide
May/June 2020
| Color | Carat | Clarity | Price | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fancy Pink | 0.10 - 0.22 | VS | $13,000 - $22,000 | depending on color strength |
| SI | $11,250 - $19,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 0.23 - 0.49 | VS | $15,000 - $29,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $13,750 - $27,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 0.50 - 0.69 | VS | $37,500 - $57,500 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $24,750 - $52,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 0.70 - 0.99 | VS | $44,000 - $67,500 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $33,000 - $55,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 1.00 - 1.99 | VS | $80,000 - $140,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $75,000 - $115,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 2.00 - 2.99 | VS | $145,000 - $235,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $100,000 - $150,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 3.00 - 3.99 | VS | $192,000 - $300,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $145,000 - $225,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 4.00 - 4.99 | VS | $260,000 - $352,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $180,000 - $240,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 5.00 - 5.99 | VS | $270,000 - $415,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $197,000 - $295,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| Fancy Intense Pink | 0.10 - 0.22 | VS | $27,000 - $29,000 | depending on color strength |
| SI | $25,000 - $27,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 0.23 - 0.49 | VS | $48,000 - $52,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $35,000 - $47,500 | depending on color strength | ||
| 0.50 - 0.69 | VS | $80,000 - $90,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $47,500 - $83,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 0.70 - 0.99 | VS | $100,000 - $130,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $65,000 - $110,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 1.00 - 1.99 | VS | $175,000 - $250,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $95,000 - $170,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 2.00 - 2.99 | VS | $250,000 - $365,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $165,000 - $237,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 3.00 - 3.99 | VS | $300,000 - $450,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $175,000 - $280,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 4.00 - 4.99 | VS | $370,000 - $550,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $275,000 - $380,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 5.00 - 5.99 | VS | $750,000 - $850,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $540,000 - $685,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| Fancy Vivid / Deep Pink | Upon Request! | |||
| Fancy Brownish Pink | 0.10 - 0.22 | VS | $9,600 - $15,000 | depending on color strength |
| SI | $8,000 - $13,500 | depending on color strength | ||
| 0.23 - 0.49 | VS | $10,800 - $20,600 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $10,000 - $19,125 | depending on color strength | ||
| 0.50 - 0.69 | VS | $29,000 - $41,600 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $19,000 - $37,500 | depending on color strength | ||
| 0.70 - 0.99 | VS | $32,000 - $48,750 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $25,500 - $39,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 1.00 - 1.99 | VS | $42,200 - $50,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $35,750 - $42,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 2.00 - 2.99 | VS | $60,000 - $72,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $45,500 - $55,000 | depending on color strength | ||
| 3.00 - 3.99 | VS | $91,000 - $110,000 | depending on color strength | |
| SI | $65,000 - $75,000 | depending on color strength | ||
“Fancy Deep/Dark Brown Pink diamond with color synonymous to stones sourced from the Argyle mine can command premiums of 40-50%.”
Source: The Gem Guide
