Diamonds come in a range of colors, from colorless to yellow, brown, pink, blue, green, and more. While colorless diamonds are the most common, colored diamonds can occur naturally and have unique properties that make them valuable in their own right. Let’s explore the different diamond colors, what causes them, and how rare or valuable certain colored diamonds can be.
The Cause of Diamond Color
Diamond color is primarily caused by chemical impurities and structural defects in the crystal lattice structure of the diamond. Pure crystalline carbon would form a colorless diamond, but trace elements like nitrogen, boron, or hydrogen can influence the absorption and transmission of light to produce various colors:
| Impurity | Diamond Color |
|---|---|
| Nitrogen | Yellow, brown |
| Boron | Blue |
| Hydrogen | Purple, pink, red |
| Lattice Defects | Green |
The more saturated the color, usually the rarer and more valuable the diamond. However, extremely pale shades actually reduce diamond value compared to colorless.
Colorless Diamonds
Colorless diamonds allow light to pass through without any color absorption. This makes them the most optically pure. They are graded on a letter scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow/brown). Diamonds graded D-F are considered “colorless” while G-J are near-colorless:
| Diamond Color Grade | Appearance |
|---|---|
| D | Colorless |
| E | Colorless |
| F | Colorless |
| G | Near-colorless |
| H | Near-colorless |
| I | Near-colorless |
| J | Near-colorless |
Colorless diamonds have the widest appeal and account for the majority of diamond sales. A larger colorless diamond still commands a premium over an equivalently sized colored diamond in most cases.
Yellow & Brown Diamonds
Yellow and brown diamonds get their color from nitrogen impurities absorbed into the lattice structure during formation. The more nitrogen present, the more saturated the yellow-brown color.
Fancy yellow diamonds are graded from Faint Yellow to Vivid Yellow based on saturation. The most prized are intense yellows, such as fancy Vivid Yellow.
Brown diamonds result from structural defects amplifying the yellow tint. Lower quality diamonds often appear brownish. Pure brown diamonds are extremely rare – most brown diamonds also exhibit some yellow or grey.
Blue Diamonds
Blue is one of the rarest diamond colors, caused by boron atoms within the crystal structure. The vivid blue color results from the boron absorbing red/yellow light and transmitting blue light.
Fancy blue diamonds are graded Faint Blue to Fancy Vivid Blue based on saturation. The most desirable and valuable are Fancy Vivid Blues, with a highly saturated pure blue color. These diamonds can sell for over $3 million per carat at auction.
Pink & Red Diamonds
Pink and red diamonds get their color from structural lattice defects that absorb blue/green light and transmit more red light. The exact cause of the defects remains unknown.
Pink diamonds range from Faint Pink to Fancy Vivid Pink. Intensely saturated reds are the rarest – only a handful have ever received the grade of Fancy Red. In 2017, a 59 carat Fancy Vivid Pink diamond sold for $71 million!
Green Diamonds
Natural radiation exposure causes the lattice defects that give green diamonds their color. Most have a grayish-green hue, with saturated greens being extremely rare.
Vivid greens are the most desirable and receive color grades of Fancy Vivid Green. These flaws make green diamonds more brittle, so few are found over 1 carat.
Other Diamond Colors
Other more exotic diamond colors include:
| Color | Properties |
|---|---|
| Purple | Extremely rare, combination of pink and blue |
| Orange | Defects shift yellow toward red/orange hue |
| Grey | Increasing brown saturation reduces brilliance |
| Black | Opaque from many light-absorbing impurities |
These ultra-rare colors fetch record prices at auction when they very occasionally appear. Their uniqueness along with demand from collectors drives prices over $1 million per carat.
Conclusion
While colorless diamonds are still the popular classic, colored diamonds exhibit a rainbow of dazzling hues. Rarer colors with saturated intensity, especially blue, red, and pink, are increasingly sought after in the luxury jewelry market. The combination of extreme rarity and consumer demand results in colored diamonds commanding huge premiums over equivalent colorless diamonds. For the buyer seeking a uniquely captivating addition to their gem collection, a fancy color diamond provides an exceptional choice sure to catch eyes and spark curiosity.