Why So Blue: the Origin of Blue Diamonds

There has been a range of posts devoted to blues, but we tried to concentrate on certain diamonds gem and jewel, while a little was said about their origin. So, now let's have a closer look at blue diamonds, their origin, price,colors and mounting.

Historically, the majority of blue diamonds have been mined in India, however lately blue and grey-blue diamonds are found in Australian and South Africa. The Cullinan Diamond Mine in South Africa is the only significant mine in the world where blues are found in plenty. Well, the word 'plenty' correlating to diamond number does not necessarily stand for a large number, as only a couple of blue diamonds are qualified by GIA and can be used in fine jewelry.

Diamond is pure carbon, but there can be some 'impurities' that give color to a gem. In case of blue diamonds, this is boron that is responsible for blue shades: from light sky blue to deep greyish blue. There is a common mistake to think that all blue diamonds are like the famous Hope Diamond. The thing is that the majority of all blue diamonds are lighter than the Hope Diamond. To differentiate the colors there is a gradation scale for blues: fancy light, fancy, intense, deep, and vivid. Though a subtle difference between fancy and intense colors, but it has significant affect on a price! Say, one carat of light blue diamond may cost $30,000-70,000 while intense can go for $100,000-250,000 per carat. Collectors and most exclusive dealers should pay from $250,000 to $500,000 per carat of vivid blue diamond, mind that fact that large diamonds can cost much expensive.

Color and size are not the only factors that determine the high price, there is also a color combination that significantly skyrockets the price. There are blue diamonds that exhibit green color, the one resembling the Caribbean ocean waters. Of course, such greenish blues feature really high price tags, so that only a few true diamond lovers can afford to purchase them. Grey can also be a secondary color in blue diamonds. It gives unique steel blue color as well as affects the price.

What is more, there is a thing that significantly influences the perception of any blue diamond – it is the mounting. The latter can be compared to the a framed picture, where a frame makes the painting. The visual perception of the blue diamond is determined by the mounting it is set in, say the same blue diamond can have different play of color when it is mounted in a prong or bezel setting. Also, you can choose to contrast your blue diamond with other colored diamonds to emphasize its color value. Anyway, it is better to ask a competent jeweler for advice, so that he could offer you the best setting to bring out the unique color of your blue diamond.

Loose or Set Diamonds: What to Choose

At all times precious rings and diamonds were a symbol of luxury and prosperity. Ring with a diamond gem, so great and pure as a mountain stream, is not only coruscatingly beautiful but it also emphasizes (to a greater extent than other precious rings) the high status of the owner. Diamond in such a ring is its main pride, the most valuable and beautiful stone. So it is very important such set diamond to be entirely flawless.

Is it possible to be sure the diamond in your diamond ring is flawless? Yes, if you have seen this diamond loose.

Sometimes setting can be a great way to hide scams. Scams are little defects jewelry dealers want to conceal in order to sell a diamond ring for higher price than it really costs. For instance, dealers usually try to hide the slightest flaw under the prong of the ring. It allows to make diamond of I1 clarity to go for VS2 in a ring setting. If you want to take a candid look at a diamond gem, ring is not the best choice for this. It is recommended to buy a loose stone and set it in a ring then for you not to be surprised one day when you suddenly discover a black spot on your diamond. Also some dealers resort to diamond 'coloring'. They apply a tiny point of paint onto the gem's lowest tip to color it in rare colors like green, blue or pink. It is known that colored diamonds are more expensive so if you buy such 'painted' diamond you will overpay a great sum of money. Such diamond is hard to be thoroughly examined when set in a ring, buy you may feel free to fiddle and fumble a loose diamond as you like in a search of any defects if there are any.

Moreover, when you buy a loose diamond to set it in instead of already made diamond ring, you have a chance to choose the exact gem you want to have in your ring. Loose diamonds exist in a wide range of colors, hues, cut, weight and clarity. Imagine you want a ring with 1 carat greenish emerald cut diamond of VS2 clarity. In jewelry store there is always a limited number of rings especially with green diamonds. What is more, you have an opportunity to become a jewelry designer for a minute. You may design the setting for your diamond and be proud of it while showing it off to your friends.

Have a chance to create your own unique diamond ring!

Image in this post is the courtesy of it's respective owner: Gemesis.com.