Green diamonds are among the rarest colored diamonds in the world, and unlike their other colored counterparts, these stones get their color in a very unique way. Once thought to be merely a collector’s item, green diamonds have quickly become highly sought after by investors.
With that in mind here are answers to the most common questions related to green diamonds:
- How Do Green Diamonds Get Their Color?
- What Is A Skin Stone?
- Where Do Green Diamonds Come From?
- Are Green Diamonds Rare?
- Are Green Diamonds Real?
- Are Green Diamonds Expensive?
- What Affects Green Diamond Price?
- What Should Investors Know About Green Diamonds?
- Are Green Diamonds For Investing Or Collecting?
- Which Is The Largest Green Diamond In The World?
- Which Is The Most Expensive Green Diamond In The World?
- Which Are The Most Famous Green Diamonds In The World?
How Do Green Diamonds Get Their Color?
Green diamonds get their color due to exposure to radiation during their formation. Contrary to other colored diamonds which get their color from chemical impurities or lattice defect the way green diamonds get their color is truly unique. However, only the parts that come into direct contact will illustrate a green hue. This results in green diamonds with different shading or completely uneven coloration.
What Is A Skin Stone?
Skin stones are green diamonds that only have a thin layer of color on their surface. This is due to the diamond being exposed to weak levels of radiation (Alpha) which aren’t strong enough to penetrate deeper into the stone’s body. As such these skin stones might even lose their color entirely if cut or polished.
Where Do Green Diamonds Come From?
Green diamonds are mined from South American countries such as Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana. There have also been cases of such diamonds originating from mines in Africa.
Are Green Diamonds Rare?
Yes, green diamonds are very rare. In fact, they are among the rarest colored diamonds in the world. What makes them truly rare is the way they obtain their color. As mentioned earlier, only the parts of the diamond exposed to radiation are colored. This means that evenly colored and well saturated green diamonds are exceptionally rare and highly sought after.
Are Green Diamonds Real?
Yes, green diamonds are real. Having said that, due to their immense rarity and increasing demand scientists have found ways to make really convincing (and sometimes even better looking) green diamonds. The irradiation process that takes part in nature can be almost perfectly emulated in a laboratory, ultimately creating artificially green diamonds that are almost indistinguishable from their natural counterparts.
Are Green Diamonds Expensive?
Yes, green diamonds are very expensive. Due to their lack of supply and extreme rarity green diamonds that have been exposed to Beta and Gamma radiations constitute only 0.1% of all green diamonds found making them hold astronomical value. In fact, when green diamonds are seen at auctions they often make headlines and even achieve prices rivaling those of red, blue, and pink diamonds.
What Affects Green Diamond Price?
Green diamond price is affected by the 4Cs of the diamond along with the existence of any secondary hues or color modifiers. As with every diamond, the 4Cs play an integral role in determining the value of green diamonds, however, Color is probably the most important C in this scenario. As mentioned previously, green diamonds get their color due to radiation exposure. If the diamond has been exposed to weaker levels of radiation (Alpha), the color only exists on the outer layers of the diamond and if they are cut and polished, they might even lose their color completely. Stronger levels of radiation (such as Beta and Gamma) tend to permeate deeper into the diamond’s body, resulting in green diamonds with a much richer color and uniformity. These are the types of green diamonds that are sought after by investors.
Finally, if a green diamond has a secondary hue or color modifier that is rare or more visually appealing (such as blue) it will tend to increase in value. Conversely, less favorable modifiers such as yellow, brown, or gray will often result in price discounts.
What Should Investors Know About Green Diamonds?
When investing in a green diamond, investors need to be wary of artificially created stones. As mentioned earlier the irradiation process that gives these diamonds their color can be almost perfectly emulated in a laboratory, creating artificial green diamonds identical to their natural counterparts. Despite their visual similarities however, their marketplace value is immensely different. It is therefore very important to ensure that the diamond has been submitted to the GIA, and comes with an “origin of color” identification report to ensure its authenticity and quality.
Are Green Diamonds For Investing Or Collecting?
Green diamonds are definitely worth investing in. Green diamonds with high saturation or those with favorable color modifiers can appreciate significantly in value and are highly sought after. In fact, the prices of green diamonds have been steadily appreciating during the past 2 decades. This is a strong indication that more and more investors are being educated on and are interested in these fascinating stones.
Which Is The Largest Green Diamond In The World?
The largest green diamond in the world is the Dresden Green diamond weighing in at 40.70 carats. One of the extraordinary features of the Dresden Diamond is that, unlike most other colored diamonds, the green color is equally spread throughout the stone. Not only that, the Dresden Green is chemically pure, meaning the stone has no traces of boron, hydrogen, or nitrogen which is commonly observed in many colored diamonds.
Which Is The Most Expensive Green Diamond In The World?
The Aurora Green diamond is the most expensive green diamond in the world. This 5.03 carat, rectangular cut, VS2 clarity, Fancy Vivid Green diamond ultimately sold for $16.8 million, or an astounding $3.3 million per carat, becoming the most expensive green diamond to ever be sold at a public auction to date.
Which Are The Most Famous Green Diamonds In The World?
The most famous green diamonds in the world are:
- The Dresden Green Diamond
- The Aurora Green Diamond
- The Ocean Dream Diamond
- The Gruosi Green Diamond
For more reading on colored diamonds, see the links below:
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