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Natural diamond colors span the color spectrum. Here is a short list of the main colors and what causes their colors.
- White - most common - pure white is a sign of no impurities, most whites have small amounts of nitrogen though (very very slight yellow tinting).
- Yellow - caused by inclusion of nitrogen.
- Pink - unclear why they are pink, current theory is due to growth at a higher temperature causes the crystal lattice to twist slightly, creating the pink color. Note that pink diamonds are stronger than white diamonds.
- Blue - caused by inclusion of boron (and rarely, large amounts of hydrogen). Boron blue diamonds are unique in that they conduct electricity.
- Red - unclear what causes the red color, but this is the most valuable of all diamonds. Only a few are known to exist in the world.
- Green - induced by exposure to radiation under the earth.
There are also brown, black, and other combinations of the above as diamond colours as well.
Naturally colored diamonds are more valuable than white diamonds due to their rarity compared to whites, and labs growing diamonds take advantage of this and that is one reason (among others) that lab grown diamonds are primarily available in yellow, blue and pink rather than the expected white.
NB: Enhancement performed on a diamond will generally intensify an existing colour, and reduce the value of the stone. A certified gemologist can help you identify natural colour, enhanced colour and other characteristics of your diamond.
The better the diamond, the less yellowy it looks. Gemology Institute of America (GIA) is a name you'll hear a lot with diamonds - they grade loose stones that you'll buy in stores and online but also developed the whole Carat, Color, Cut and Clarity (4Cs) system.
One can see colour in a diamond from two sources: first, in the colour of the stone and second, in the rainbow of colours reflected from a cut diamond's facets.
Read more, below.
Mainly blueish color.
Generally transparent. but depending on the impurities (metal ions), diamonds can have different colours.
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RafaThere are many different colors to choose form ranging from pink-red to blue, green, purple-violet and yellow-orange; they come in various shades and intensities as well. Colored diamonds are created due to interstitial impurities or structural defects that cause the coloration.
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What metals do diamonds have in them?
Diamonds are made entirely of carbon and do not contain any metals. The presence of certain impurities can give diamonds different colors, but these impurities are not considered metals.
What colors can diamonds come in?
Diamonds can come in a variety of colors such as white, yellow, brown, blue, pink, green, and red. The presence of trace elements or structural defects in the diamond's crystal lattice can cause these different colors. Fancy colored diamonds, such as pink and blue, are the most rare and valuable.
Can aquamarine be scratched by anything?
Yes! Diamond Aquamarine is a type of colored aluminum oxide (like emeralds and rubies, which have different colors) and as such, it is not the hardest jewel; diamonds are harder, and so, aquamarine can be scratched by diamonds.
Are blue diamonds more expensive than other colour diamonds ie White pink or black?
Yes, blue diamonds are generally more expensive than white, pink, or black diamonds. This is due to their rarity, with high-quality blue diamonds being quite scarce compared to other colors. The unique coloring of blue diamonds adds to their allure and value in the market.
What are the non characteristic properties of diamonds?
Some non-characteristic properties of diamonds include their varying colors due to impurities, their hardness which can vary depending on the direction of the crystal structure, and their ability to conduct heat but not electricity.
