Sunday, 6 December 2009

Fancy Diamonds: What You Need to Know About Colored Diamonds

By Jason Ayers

Rich in history, mystique and romance, fancy colored diamonds are the rarest of diamonds. For every colored diamond, there are 10,000 colorless diamonds. Colored diamonds command prices 20 to 25 times more than white diamonds. Popularity of these rare gems has been increasing for the last 3 years as more celebrities are seen wearing colored diamonds.

The rarest of the colored diamonds are red, intense purple and intense green. Fewer than 10 of each color are found every year. These three colors command the highest prices of all diamonds selling for US$1 million and higher for the larger, more perfect gems.

Once found only in collections of the aristocracy or in the crown jewels of the world's monarchs, colored diamonds have become available to anyone who wishes to experience the elegance and beauty of these romantic jewels.

All diamonds are formed deep in the earth's mantle at depths of 87 to 120 miles. High pressures and temperatures as high as-00 degrees centigrade created diamonds millions of years ago. Diamonds are forced to the earth's surface in volcanic eruptions. Even these occurrences must have a rare set of circumstances as the magma's source will need to be three times deeper than most volcanoes to reach the diamonds.

The first colored diamonds documented were mined on ancient Indian rivers as long as 6,000 years ago. Today, mines are located in several areas of the world. The largest diamond mining company is De Beers, followed by BHP Billiton, the Rio Tinto Group and Petra Diamonds. The Argyle Mine in Australia mines over 90% of the world's pink diamonds as well as other colors. This mine is due to close in 2018. This will no doubt contribute to higher prices for the Argyle diamonds.

There are still bargains to be found if you are willing to do a little research. Price is determined by rarity, color, and popularity. Some of the rarer diamonds are not as popular right now and can be purchased for much less than those colors being worn by the stars. Colored diamonds represent all that is most precious.

Imagine the one person most precious to you wearing one of these elegant jewels.

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment