Colored diamonds are becoming quite popular as they are used for a variety of jewelry types. Engagement rings are becoming a trend among new brides, too. This guide to colored diamonds will give you information about the quality and grade of colored diamonds, so you can make a great choice when it comes to buying a colored-diamond engagement ring, a beautiful necklace or a pair of stunning earrings.
Brief History of Colored Diamonds
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who lived in the 1600s, would travel around the world in search of precious gems to trade. He visited three famous Indian mines: Gani Colou, Soulempou and Raolconda. In his search, he was the one who brought back the Koh-i-Noor diamond or Mountain of Light and the famous Hope Diamond.…show more content… It was 6.1 carats.
At the 2004 Oscars, Maria Menounos' dress was covered in champagne brown diamonds. The dress was estimated to cost $2.5 million.
Queen Elizabeth II received an intense pink diamond before her wedding in 1947. She's one of the biggest collectors of colored diamonds.
The Hope Diamond, one of the most famous diamonds in history, is 45.52 carats of fancy dark grayish-blue diamond.
Natural Versus Treated Colored Diamonds
Natural colored diamonds are considered more valuable than colored diamonds that have been treated. When stones are colored naturally, it's a more organic process that gives each diamond a unique look that is considered one-of-a-kind. Treated diamonds have color added to them and can no longer be called a natural-color diamond.
HPHT
This type of treatment involves high pressure, high temperature to the diamond. It results in a variety of colors from yellow to green to pink depending on the state of the original diamond. HPHT treatment is not readily apparent under a microscope, so it would need to be tested in a gem lab to ensure it's natural. Gem sellers are required to tell consumers whether a diamond has been