Diamonds are one of the most precious and valuable gemstones in the world, prized for their brilliance and fire. While most diamonds are known for their colorlessness, some can be found in a range of colors, from pink and blue to yellow and brown. But where do diamonds get their color?
The color of a diamond is determined by the presence of trace elements or structural defects in the crystal lattice of the stone. These elements or defects can absorb certain wavelengths of light, giving the diamond its unique color.
For example, yellow diamonds get their color from nitrogen impurities within the crystal structure. Nitrogen atoms can replace carbon atoms in the crystal lattice, causing the diamond to absorb blue light and reflect yellow light, resulting in a yellow diamond. The more nitrogen present in the diamond, the more intense the yellow color.
Brown diamonds, on the other hand, get their color from lattice defects or distortions in the crystal structure. These defects cause the diamond to absorb light across a wide range of wavelengths, resulting in a brown or even black color.
Blue diamonds get their color from boron impurities within the crystal lattice. Boron atoms can replace carbon atoms, causing the diamond to absorb red, yellow, and green light and reflect blue light. The more boron present in the diamond, the more intense the blue color.
Pink diamonds are one of the rarest and most valuable diamond colors. They get their color from a combination of lattice defects and high pressure during formation, which causes the crystal lattice to distort and absorb green light, resulting in a pink color.
Green diamonds get their color from natural radiation exposure during the diamond's formation. This exposure causes the diamond to absorb red and yellow light and reflect green light, resulting in a green diamond.
In addition to natural coloration, diamonds can also be treated to enhance or change their color. High-pressure, high-temperature treatment can change the color of brown diamonds to yellow, while irradiation followed by high-temperature treatment can produce a range of colors, from blue to green to pink.
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These rare and beautiful stones are some of the most sought-after jewels in the world, with prices that can reach into the millions of dollars. Here are some of the most famous colored diamonds in the world:
1. The Pink Star - This stunning 59.60-carat pink diamond is the largest Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Pink diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). It sold for a record-breaking $71.2 million at auction in 2017.
2. The Oppenheimer Blue - Named after its former owner, Sir Philip Oppenheimer, this 14.62-carat blue diamond is the largest Fancy Vivid Blue diamond ever to come to auction. It sold for over $57 million at Christie's Geneva in 2016.
3. The Hope Diamond - This legendary 45.52-carat blue diamond has a fascinating and storied history that includes being stolen and supposedly cursed. It is now on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
4. The Moussaieff Red - This 5.11-carat red diamond is one of the rarest and most valuable diamonds in the world. It was discovered in the 1990s in Brazil and is now owned by the Moussaieff Jewelry company.
5. The Dresden Green - This 41-carat green diamond has a unique and vibrant color that has been described as "apple green." It is named after the city of Dresden, Germany, where it is on display at the Dresden Castle.
6. The Graff Pink - This 24.78-carat pink diamond is one of the most valuable diamonds in the world, selling for $46 million at auction in 2010. It was owned by American jeweler Harry Winston before being purchased by British jeweler Laurence Graff.
7. The Blue Moon of Josephine - This 12.03-carat blue diamond was named after the daughter of its owner, Hong Kong businessman Joseph Lau. It sold for a record-breaking $48.5 million at auction in 2015.
8. The Moussaieff Jewellers Jubilee Diamond - This stunning 545.67-carat brown-yellow diamond is one of the largest diamonds in the world. It was discovered in South Africa in the 1980s and is now owned by Moussaieff Jewellers in London.
At the end it doesn’t matter if the diamond got their color from factors, like the presence of trace elements, structural defects, or natural radiation exposure.
Colored diamonds are some of the most rare and valuable gemstones in the world, with each stone possessing a unique beauty and history. From the Pink Star to the Hope Diamond, these famous colored diamonds are treasured by collectors and admired by all who see them.
What's your favorite color?
The color of a diamond is determined by the presence of trace elements or structural defects in the crystal lattice of the stone. These elements or defects can absorb certain wavelengths of light, giving the diamond its unique color.
For example, yellow diamonds get their color from nitrogen impurities within the crystal structure. Nitrogen atoms can replace carbon atoms in the crystal lattice, causing the diamond to absorb blue light and reflect yellow light, resulting in a yellow diamond. The more nitrogen present in the diamond, the more intense the yellow color.
Brown diamonds, on the other hand, get their color from lattice defects or distortions in the crystal structure. These defects cause the diamond to absorb light across a wide range of wavelengths, resulting in a brown or even black color.
Blue diamonds get their color from boron impurities within the crystal lattice. Boron atoms can replace carbon atoms, causing the diamond to absorb red, yellow, and green light and reflect blue light. The more boron present in the diamond, the more intense the blue color.
Pink diamonds are one of the rarest and most valuable diamond colors. They get their color from a combination of lattice defects and high pressure during formation, which causes the crystal lattice to distort and absorb green light, resulting in a pink color.
Green diamonds get their color from natural radiation exposure during the diamond's formation. This exposure causes the diamond to absorb red and yellow light and reflect green light, resulting in a green diamond.
In addition to natural coloration, diamonds can also be treated to enhance or change their color. High-pressure, high-temperature treatment can change the color of brown diamonds to yellow, while irradiation followed by high-temperature treatment can produce a range of colors, from blue to green to pink.
Top of Form
These rare and beautiful stones are some of the most sought-after jewels in the world, with prices that can reach into the millions of dollars. Here are some of the most famous colored diamonds in the world:
1. The Pink Star - This stunning 59.60-carat pink diamond is the largest Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Pink diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). It sold for a record-breaking $71.2 million at auction in 2017.
2. The Oppenheimer Blue - Named after its former owner, Sir Philip Oppenheimer, this 14.62-carat blue diamond is the largest Fancy Vivid Blue diamond ever to come to auction. It sold for over $57 million at Christie's Geneva in 2016.
3. The Hope Diamond - This legendary 45.52-carat blue diamond has a fascinating and storied history that includes being stolen and supposedly cursed. It is now on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
4. The Moussaieff Red - This 5.11-carat red diamond is one of the rarest and most valuable diamonds in the world. It was discovered in the 1990s in Brazil and is now owned by the Moussaieff Jewelry company.
5. The Dresden Green - This 41-carat green diamond has a unique and vibrant color that has been described as "apple green." It is named after the city of Dresden, Germany, where it is on display at the Dresden Castle.
6. The Graff Pink - This 24.78-carat pink diamond is one of the most valuable diamonds in the world, selling for $46 million at auction in 2010. It was owned by American jeweler Harry Winston before being purchased by British jeweler Laurence Graff.
7. The Blue Moon of Josephine - This 12.03-carat blue diamond was named after the daughter of its owner, Hong Kong businessman Joseph Lau. It sold for a record-breaking $48.5 million at auction in 2015.
8. The Moussaieff Jewellers Jubilee Diamond - This stunning 545.67-carat brown-yellow diamond is one of the largest diamonds in the world. It was discovered in South Africa in the 1980s and is now owned by Moussaieff Jewellers in London.
At the end it doesn’t matter if the diamond got their color from factors, like the presence of trace elements, structural defects, or natural radiation exposure.
Colored diamonds are some of the most rare and valuable gemstones in the world, with each stone possessing a unique beauty and history. From the Pink Star to the Hope Diamond, these famous colored diamonds are treasured by collectors and admired by all who see them.
What's your favorite color?