Overview
About Fancy-coloured Diamond
Gem diamonds in GIA’s D-to-Z range usually decrease in value as the colour becomes more obvious. Just the opposite happens with fancy colour diamonds: Their value generally increases with the strength and purity of the colour. Large, vivid fancy colour diamonds are extremely rare and very valuable. However, many fancy diamond colours are muted rather than pure and strong.
Fancy Colour Diamond Description
Fancy Colour Diamond History and Lore
Birthstones & Anniversaries
Diamond is the birthstone for April and the gem of the 10th and 60th anniversaries. Fancy colour diamond adds a unique twist to your celebration.1 in 10,000
Only one in 10,000 diamonds has a fancy colour.
$71.2 million (£57.1 million)
The Pink Star diamond,
59.60 carats, is the most expensive
gem ever auctioned.
Hope Diamond
The 45.52-carat Fancy Deep grayish blue Hope Diamond is the world’s most famous gem.
Facts
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Mineral:
Diamond
Chemistry
Treatments
There are a number of processes used to alter the colour or apparent clarity, or to improve the durability of gems.
Learn MoreSynthetics
Some gemstones have synthetic counterparts that have essentially the same chemical, physical and optical properties, but are grown by man in a laboratory.
Learn MoreImitations
Any gem can be imitated – sometimes by man-made materials or by natural materials chosen by man to impersonate a particular gem.
Learn More
Why We Love This Gemstone
Rarest of the rare
Fancy colour diamonds are the rarest of the rare. Each is one of a kind.
Red
Red diamonds are so rare that only a handful are known to exist.
Boron
Less than one boron atom per million of carbon atoms can give a diamond a blue colour.
Quality Factors
Strength and purity of colour influence a fancy colour diamond’s value.
Colour
The most valuable hues are pink, blue and green. Slight colour differences can impact value.
Clarity
Even diamonds with a low clarity grade are prized by connoisseurs if their colour is attractive.
Cut
Fancy shapes like radiant cuts are commonly used to maximize the intensity of the colour.
Carat Weight
In pink, blue, green and orange, even fancy colour diamonds of less than a carat are rare and valuable.
Fancy Colour Diamond Quality Factors: The Comprehensive Guide
Research
Explore sources, gemmological research and the role of gems in history.
Where Do Blue Diamonds Come From?
Blue Diamonds Have a Surprising “Superdeep” Origin and a Link to Ancient Oceans
Evan M. Smith , Aug 1, 2018 Read Article
Natural-Color Pink, Purple, Red, and Brown Diamonds: Band of Many Colors
Sally Eaton-Magaña, Troy Ardon, Karen V. Smit, Christopher M. Breeding, and James E. Shigley , Feb 1, 2019 Read more in English
Natural-Color Blue, Gray, and Violet Diamonds: Allure of the Deep
Sally Eaton-Magaña, Christopher M. Breeding, and James E. Shigley , Aug 6, 2018 Read more in English
