Different minerals can be found in a diamond and these minerals are responsible for the different colors that a diamond can exhibit. For example, trace elements of nitrogen will cause a yellowish coloration while boron will give the diamond a bluish tint. The most prized diamonds are those that are completely colorless as they are very rare.
However, some people prefer colored diamonds as they can be more unique and eye-catching.
Have you ever wondered why some diamonds are colored? While most diamonds appear colorless or white, a small percentage of them actually have a yellow or brown tint. And while these “fancy” colored diamonds are less common than their colorless counterparts, they can actually be quite valuable.
So, why are some diamonds colored? It all has to do with their molecular structure. Diamonds form deep within the earth under extreme heat and pressure.
During this process, trace elements (like nitrogen) can become trapped in the diamond’s crystal lattice. These impurities are what give fancy colored diamonds their unique hues.
Interestingly, the type of impurity present will determine the specific color of the diamond.
For example, if nitrogen is present in large quantities, it will impart a yellowish color to the diamond. But if there’s just a small amount of nitrogen present, it will instead cause the diamond to have a brownish tint.
Of course, not all fancy colored diamonds are created equal.
Some are very rare and therefore quite valuable (like red and blue diamonds), while others are more common and thus less expensive (like yellow and brown diamonds). So if you’re thinking about buying a colored diamond, be sure to do your research first!
Credit: www.naturallycolored.com
Are Colored Diamonds Worth Less?
No, colored diamonds are not worth less. In fact, they can be worth much more than white diamonds. The value of a colored diamond is determined by its color, clarity, carat weight, and cut.
Colorless diamonds are very rare, so they are typically more expensive than colored diamonds. However, some colors of diamonds are more rare than others, so they can be even more valuable. For example, pink diamonds are extremely rare and therefore can be worth millions of dollars.
It all depends on the individual stone.
Can Diamonds Naturally Be Colored?
Yes, diamonds can naturally be colored. The most common colors are yellow and brown, but diamonds can also be found in other colors such as red, orange, green, blue, and pink. The different colors are caused by different impurities that are present in the diamond.
For example, yellow diamonds are usually caused by nitrogen impurities, while brown diamonds are caused by plastic deformation of the crystal lattice.
What’S the Rarest Diamond Color?
The vast majority of diamonds that are mined are white, or colorless. However, some diamonds can exhibit different colors, and these colored diamonds are quite rare. The most common colors for diamonds are yellow and brown.
Other colors that can be found in nature include pink, red, blue, and green. These fancy colored diamonds are extremely rare and very valuable. The rarest diamond color is red, followed by green, blue, and pink.
Brown and yellow diamonds are the most common fancy colored diamonds.
Is It Better to Have Clarity Or Color in a Diamond?
When it comes to diamonds, there are two main qualities that people tend to focus on: clarity and color. But which is more important? Is it better to have a diamond with great clarity but less-than-perfect color, or vice versa?
The answer, ultimately, comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer the look of a diamond with excellent clarity but less-than-perfect color, while others prefer the opposite. There is no right or wrong answer, so it really depends on your own aesthetic preferences.
That being said, let’s take a closer look at each quality individually to see what makes them important (or not) in the world of diamonds.
Clarity refers to the number and size of any blemishes or inclusions present in a diamond. The fewer and smaller these blemishes are, the higher the clarity grade will be.
Diamonds with high clarity grades are rarer and therefore typically more expensive than those with lower grades. However, keep in mind that most blemishes and inclusions are not visible to the naked eye anyway, so don’t get too hung up on this particular quality if you’re on a budget.
Color refers to the degree of “yellow” present in a diamond.
The less yellow present, the higher the color grade will be (with “D” being completely colorless). Colorless diamonds are very rare and therefore quite expensive; most diamonds fall somewhere along the spectrum from near-colorless (grades J-K) to slightly yellowish (grades M-Z). Again, unless you’re looking at your diamond under magnification, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to see much difference between these grades anyway.
So which should you choose: clarity or color? Like we said before, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for a “perfect” diamond that is both flawless and completely colorless, be prepared to pay a pretty penny for it!
However, if you’re willing to compromise on one or both of these qualities, you can still find an absolutely beautiful diamond without breaking the bank.
What Colors Do Diamonds Come in Naturally
When it comes to diamonds, most people automatically think of the classic white diamond. However, did you know that diamonds come in a wide range of colors? In fact, natural diamonds can be found in every color of the rainbow!
Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular colored diamonds:
Yellow Diamonds: Yellow diamonds are by far the most common type of colored diamond. They get their yellow hue from traces of nitrogen impurities in the carbon crystal structure.
These impurities don’t affect the hardness or durability of the diamond.
Pink Diamonds: Pink diamonds are extremely rare and valuable. Their pink color is caused by structural deformities in the carbon lattice.
The more intense the pink color, the higher the value of the diamond.
Blue Diamonds: Blue diamonds get their color from boron impurities in their crystal structure. These impurities don’t affect the hardness or durability of blue diamonds either.
Blue diamonds are very rare and highly sought after by collectors and jewelers alike.
Green Diamonds: Green diamonds get their color from exposure to radiation over time deep within the Earth where they formed. Like other colored diamonds, green diamonds aren’t any less hard or durable than white ones.
Green diamond jewelry is very unique and eye-catching!
Conclusion
Some diamonds are colored because of different minerals that are present during their formation. For example, if a diamond forms in an environment with a lot of iron, it will have a yellowish tint. Diamonds can also be exposed to other elements during their formation, which can result in different colors.
For example, boron can give diamonds a blue color, while nitrogen can make them yellow or brown.