- What are coloured diamonds?
Diamonds are commonly white or transparent, as everyone knows. But there are also diamonds that have different body colours that can be seen when looked at from certain angles. The highest quality diamonds are always white. So what exactly are these colours that we see in diamonds? To put it simply, they are impurities or imperfections. Some chemical or gas mixes with the carbon during the diamond making process and changes its colour ultimately. Some colours are commonly seen while some are really rare. Their prices also differ according to the availability or rarity of the colored diamonds Hatton garden.
- Types of coloured diamonds?
Yellow – The most common colours seen are brown and yellow. Yellow is available in hues ranging from light to dark. The glitch involved here is a result of nitrogen mixed along with the carbon. Orange and brown are also part of this shade card and are caused by the presence of nitrogen in the making process.
Red and Pink – Unlike yellow, a glistening red or a dazzling pink diamond isn’t the result of any chemical mix-up, but it is caused due to excess pressure on the diamond seed. Pink is a desirable colour for most women and we see more pink coloured engagement rings these days than traditional white.
Blue – Remember the gorgeous Heart of the Ocean worn by Rose in Titanic? Yes, that was the Hope Diamond – a brilliantly blue coloured diamond that definitely stole our hearts. So yes, blue is also a very popular colour in diamonds and it is a result of the chemical Boron mixed with the carbon during the making process.
Green – Green diamonds are extremely rare and if you have commonly seen a green stone in jewellery, it is an emerald and not a diamond. The green colour is a result of the diamond seed being exposed to radioactive emissions. High energy radiation penetrates the diamond and creates a defect that selectively transmits green light. So yes, the same it is the same logic as how the HULK got his green colour in The Avengers.
Violet – This is a really lovely colour and rare too. You don’t see too many violet diamonds around. The reason behind the colour is the substitution of carbon by hydrogen.
Black – Black diamonds have high levels of minerals such as graphite, pyrite or hematite in. The inclusions are quite dense and so very little light actually passes through the gems making them practically opaque and dark coloured.
- How are they priced?
The prices for coloured diamonds vary greatly depending on their rarity. Irrespective of whether the diamond is natural or lab-grown, some colours are rare, and so they are priced higher than others. On average, though, natural diamonds, both coloured and white are priced much higher than lab-grown diamonds.
- Do people prefer colour over white?
Yes, they do. For the most obvious reason: everything is pretty with colours. Many people are ditching the traditional white diamond for coloured ones for their engagement rings and it is quite the trend now.
Recently, the diamond tennis bracelet has found a lovely upgrade and is now available in a variety of colours. You can either have it designed in one colour or make it all colourful from the available choices from the Hatton garden jewellers. The prices differ accordingly of course, but social media is going crazy over this latest upgrade to the traditional Diamond Tennis Bracelet.