Colored diamonds
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Colored diamonds can occur in nature, when in the natural course of
events trace elements create color variations. This is strictly an
event in nature and without the helpful intervention of man.
Colored diamonds are usually smaller than the
colorless gems and there is a wide variation of colors and color
combinations where the gem cannot be defined strictly as one color.
These natural diamonds are usually quite valuable, and when
purchasing, you should request a certificate from a grading
lab.
Inclusions, or inner flaws in colored diamonds
can sometimes contribute to the overall appearance by the way it
reflects the colored light. Featuring two different colored diamond
in one piece such as a blue & white diamond pendant can
add real interest to a piece as the colors contrast and play off
one another.
Color Treated
Diamonds
Color treated diamonds are just as real as the
ones created by nature. By color treating diamonds that are less
desirable in the colorless version, because of inclusions or flaws,
gemologists make available gems that are attractive, desirable and
more affordable for many people.
To accomplish this, diamonds are treated in one
of two ways. They are either irradiated followed by high heat, or
they are exposed to a painting
process.
Fancy Colored Diamonds
While there is always a high demand for the
traditional colorless diamond, there is also some excitement
created by the vibrant colors and hues of fancy colored diamonds.
There are people who have a preference for the colored versions, or
who want to add colored diamonds too, in vivid hues of greens,
yellows, reds, pinks and all the different colors in between to
their jewelry wardrobe.
Blue diamonds are an interesting variation as can be seen in this
uniquely styled blue & white diamond ring .
The grading process of colored diamonds is
somewhat different than that of the colorless traditional diamond.
First, a colored diamond is graded based on the primary hue, the
pink or blue or red coloration that comprises the majority of the
diamond's color. Secondly, they are graded based on the intensity
of their color. Very intense, naturally colored diamonds are more
rare than the less intense diamond, and it will be valued more
highly and be more expensive. A treated diamond will cost less than
a naturally colored diamond in most instances.
Synthetic Diamonds
Most diamonds are found in nature and mined ,
but more recently, scientists are finding more ways to create
synthetic or man made
diamonds. While a synthetic diamond is still a “real diamond”
in that it has the same composition as those found in nature, they
are created within a laboratory instead of by nature.
Colored Diamond Names
Fancy colored diamonds come in a wide variety of
shades. This can make it tricky to interpret the name of the
diamond's color. You will often find two colors defining the shade
of a diamond, such as greenish blue. Each name has a primary color
description, and some have a secondary color description. When a
diamond is labeled “blue diamond”, you know it will be a blue
shaded diamond gemstone. If, however, the diamond is labeled as
“greenish blue”, you may question what that means. Is the diamond
green, or is it blue in color? The primary color in this
description stands on it's own, and the color with the added "ish"
is the secondary color. In this example, blue becomes the primary
color. Therefore, a greenish blue diamond will be primarily blue,
with specks of green seen throughout the stone. If you see a
diamond that is labeled “brown red”, then the diamond will be equal
quantities of both colors.
Diamond Gemstone |
Diamond Cost
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