When colors are mentioned in the Gems and Jewellery Industry, the first thing that comes to mind is color gemstones. Who would have known that fancy-colored diamonds are also available for jewelry and have been sold & marketed for ages?
Diamonds are known to be found in white/ colorless varieties universally. There is a market for fancy-colored diamonds, wherein the chemicals seep in to give the diamond a variety of colors. They have become popular over the years and are in demand due to their rarity.
The fancy colored diamonds are available in colors like red, pink, blue, yellow, purple, brown, grey, black, green, and orange. They are available in different tones and saturation. They are difficult to find and some colors are rare.
Let’s begin with learning about hue, saturation, and tone.
Hue is the dominant color of the diamond. It can be affected by the presence of tints or modifiers. A pink diamond can have a second color like a hint of purple, hence called a pinkish-purple diamond.
Saturation refers to the strength or intensity of the hue of the main color like pink in a purplish-pink diamond. Saturation with a lighter tone can range from light to intense to vivid. Darker diamonds can range from dark to deep.
Tone refers to how light or dark the diamond appears. This is determined by how much brown, black, grey, or white is present in the diamond.
Grades such as light, fancy light, fancy, fancy intense, fancy vivid, fancy dark, and fancy deep are used for the appearance.
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CHEMICAL STRUCTURE |
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| Pink | Is caused by the atomic structure |
| Yellow | Is caused by nitrogen |
| Blue | Is caused by boron atoms |
| Brown | Is caused by intense parallel grain lines |
| Green | Is caused by exposure to millions of years of natural radiation |
| Orange | Is caused by structural deformities & presence of nitrogen |
| Purple | Is caused by internal grain formation & presence of hydrogen |
| Red | Is caused by distortion of atomic lattice |
| Black | Is caused By many different graphite inclusions |
MINES
Fancy-colored diamonds are difficult to find and are rare if you find them in the mining process. The above-mentioned diamonds are found in the following mines and regions.
Australia – The Argyle diamond mine produces 90% of world’s pink diamonds
Africa – Orange & green diamonds are found in Africa.
South Africa – is a contributor of yellow and blue diamonds. Cullinan mine is mainly for blue and big white diamond.
Southern Asia- India’s Golconda mines (non-operational) were the primary supplier of blue diamonds.
South America – Green diamonds are found here.
Angola- Canary and brown diamonds are mined here.
Borneo – Brown & yellow diamonds and occasionally pink, blue, or green diamonds are mined here.
Brazil – is famous for ultra-rare red diamonds and also blue, green, and intense pink diamonds.
Central Africa – is famous for its natural black and yellow diamonds, rarely will you find pink, blue, and green diamonds.
Democratic Republic of Congo – Industrial-grade yellow, orange, and cognac diamonds are mined here.
Sierra Leone – Zimmi Yellow Diamonds are rare and mined here.
The market of fancy color diamonds rose by 3.9% in the year 2022. Led by a 4.6% increase in all Yellows and followed by a 3.9% rise in Pinks and 1.8% in Blues.
Pop culture and classic films like the 1971 James Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever may have you questioning everything you know about diamonds. What made Marilyn Monroe sing Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes?
Diamonds have dazzled us in pop culture, from the glamor of Hollywood to memorable cinematic moments. Their sparkle captivates us, their rarity intrigues us, and their symbolism allows them to play diverse roles in storytelling. Whether worn by a celebrity, sought by a hero, or coveted as a sign of wealth, diamonds are indeed integral to our cultural tapestry.
IIG as an education institute of the Gems and Jewellery Industry teaches about Fancy Color Diamonds in their Masters in Diamond & Diamond Graduate Programs. Learn about different Fancy Color Diamonds at IIG.
Visit the fastest-expanding premier education institute of the Gems and Jewellery Industry at our locations at Mumbai – Opera House & Andheri (East), Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Surat.
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Author: – Charmi Soni Shroff
Being a part of the Gems & Jewellery industry for the last 15 years I garnered insights into gems, diamonds and jewellery. I have authored a handbook on casting techniques and various blogs on various methods of healing and meditation with gemstones. Presently working with IIG Mumbai as a writer, author, external spokesperson and PR representative
