In the universe of fine jewelry, diamonds stand as timeless symbols of luxury and refinement. While the classic, colorless diamond is synonymous with elegance, there’s a hidden treasure trove of colored diamonds that beckons exploration. These unique gems, drenched in rare hues, are a confluence of nature’s artistry, geological marvels, and boundless fascination.
In this journey, we will discover the mesmerizing world of the most expensive diamond colors. From the passionate pinks to the deep, mysterious blues, and the elusive reds, these diamonds redefine the boundaries of opulence and sophistication. Whether you’re a seasoned gem connoisseur, a budding collector, or someone with a penchant for the extraordinary, prepare to be immersed in a world where nature’s palette meets the world of high-end jewelry.
7. Orange Diamond
Color Rarity: Very Rare
Market Demand: Low
Most Expensive Piece Sold: $35.5 million
Image source: Hard Carbon Inc.
Orange diamonds, with their unique and vivid orange color, are both exceptionally rare and expensive. Their distinct characteristics make them highly prized in the world of gemstones. The intensity of their orange hue, often resulting from nitrogen impurities during formation, significantly influences their value, with deeper and more intense shades commanding higher prices.
Clarity, referring to the absence of internal and external flaws, also plays a pivotal role in determining their worth. Larger orange diamonds are exceedingly scarce, further elevating their cost.
Did You Know?
Some mines, such as the Argyle mine in Western Australia, are renowned for producing orange diamonds with exceptional color. Diamonds from these sources often carry higher price tags.
6. Brown Diamond
Color Rarity: Common
Market Demand: Moderate
Most Expensive Piece Sold: $12 million
Image source: RRP Diamonds
Brown diamonds, often referred to as “champagne” or “cognac” diamonds, are notable for their warm and earthy hues. They are generally more affordable than some other colored diamonds due to their common occurrence in nature. The price per carat for brown diamonds typically hovers around $2,500, making them a more accessible option for jewelry enthusiasts.
While they may not exhibit the same level of color rarity as pink, blue, or green diamonds, they have gained popularity in recent years due to their unique, understated beauty. Brown diamonds are commonly used in various jewelry pieces, including engagement rings and earrings, and they have a moderate market demand.
Did You Know?
The brown color in these diamonds is often attributed to structural anomalies or the presence of trace elements like nitrogen. The arrangement of these elements within the diamond’s crystal lattice affects the specific shade of brown.
5. Yellow Diamond
Color Rarity: Common
Market Demand: Moderate
Most Expensive Piece Sold: $16.3 million
Image source: Only Natural Diamonds
The beauty of yellow diamonds lies in their dazzling array of shades, ranging from delicate pale yellows to intense and vivid canary hues. Nitrogen imparts the appealing yellow tint that characterizes these stones, and the intensity of the hue plays a significant role in their valuation, with deeper and more saturated colors commanding higher prices.
This diversity in color is primarily attributed to the presence of trace nitrogen atoms within the diamond’s crystal lattice. As members of the “fancy colored diamonds” category, yellow diamonds are highly coveted in fine jewelry. They are graded by reputable gemological laboratories like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), considering the Four Cs, with color being a crucial factor.
Did You Know?
Yellow diamonds, often referred to as canary diamonds, occupy a special place in the world of gemstones, renowned for their distinct characteristics and vibrant color.
4. Pink Diamond
Color Rarity: Very Rare
Market Demand: High
Most Expensive Piece Sold: $71.2 million
Image source: CNN
Pink diamonds, often referred to as the “jewels of passion,” are among the most enchanting and elusive gemstones the world has to offer. The hallmark of pink diamonds lies in their mesmerizing pink coloration, which can range from delicate pastel shades reminiscent of blooming cherry blossoms to intense, vivid hues that evoke the deepest blushes.
Unlike other colored diamonds, their color origin is a mystery of nature. The captivating pink hue is believed to result from intense pressure and heat during their formation, leading to structural anomalies within the diamond’s crystal lattice. These distortions selectively absorb and reflect specific wavelengths of light, producing the pink color that sets them apart.
Did You Know?
Historically, the Argyle mine in Western Australia was the primary source of some of the world’s finest pink diamonds. It was celebrated for producing gems of unrivaled quality, and its closure in 2020 marked the end of an era, making pink diamonds even scarcer and more sought after.
3. Green Diamond
Color Rarity: Rare
Market Demand: Moderate
Most Expensive Piece Sold: $16.8 million
Image source: Katerina Perez
The evaluation and grading of green diamonds are entrusted to reputable gemological laboratories, and the intensity of the green color plays a pivotal role in determining their value. The color grading scale spans from light green to fancy vivid green, with the latter being the most prized and commanding the highest prices.
Green diamonds have carved a special place in high-end jewelry, particularly in the creation of exquisite rings, necklaces, and earrings. The price per carat for green diamonds varies widely, with prices typically ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 per carat. However, exceptional and larger green diamonds can command even higher prices, making them some of the most valuable gemstones in the world.
Did You Know?
Some green diamonds can exhibit secondary hues, such as yellow or brown, which can add complexity to their appearance.
2. Blue Diamond
Color Rarity: Very Rare
Market Demand: High
Most Expensive Piece Sold: $250 million
Image source: ABC News
What sets blue diamonds apart is their stunning azure coloration, ranging from delicate, icy blues to deep and vivid sapphires. Their color is their first distinction—exquisitely beguiling and often described as the color of the sky or the depths of the ocean.
They are priced at a premium due to their elusiveness, with only a minuscule fraction of all diamonds discovered exhibiting this mesmerizing blue hue. Their value is further elevated by the deep and vivid shades of blue, which command the highest prices, often exceeding millions of dollars per carat.
Did You Know?
The origin of the blue color in blue diamonds remains a geological mystery. While the exact cause is not yet fully understood, it is believed to be due to trace elements like boron during their formation.
1. Red Diamonds
Color Rarity: Rarest
Market Demand: High
Most Expensive Piece Sold: $8 million
Image source: Geology Science
Red diamonds, with their captivating and mesmerizing hue, unequivocally are the most expensive color of diamond in the world. The allure of red diamonds, renowned for their extraordinary rarity and distinctive beauty, has made them the epitome of luxury and fascination among gem enthusiasts and collectors.
The foremost distinction of red diamonds lies in their stunning and vibrant red coloration, making them the rarest of all colored diamonds. It is this rarity that propels their price per carat to astonishing heights, often exceeding $1 million. Red diamonds derive their unique color from structural anomalies in their crystal lattice, causing them to absorb and reflect specific wavelengths of light, resulting in a captivating red hue.
Did You Know?
Notable red diamonds like the “Moussaieff Red Diamond” and the “Hancock Red Diamond” have set records for their high prices at auction. The “Hancock Red Diamond” sold for a remarkable $8 million, underscoring the immense value placed on these exceptional gems.
