Natural Coloured Diamonds Gemstone Guide

What colours do natural fancy-coloured Diamonds come in?

Natural coloured Diamonds occur in many hues:

• Yellow – Nitrogen in the lattice
• Pink / red – lattice distortion (plastic deformation)
• Blue – Boron atoms (Type IIb)
• Green – natural radiation damage
• Brown / champagne / cognac – structural defects
• Orange, violet, grey, black – combinations of defects and trace elements

Where does the name Diamond derive from?

“Diamond” comes from Greek Adamas - “Unconquerable” or “Invincible,” referring to Diamond's hardness.

What is the symbolism of natural fancy-coloured Diamonds?

Coloured Diamonds carry both general Diamond symbolism and hue‑specific meanings:

• General: Strength, endurance, purity, prestige.
• Yellow: Joy, optimism, prosperity.
• Pink: Romance, tenderness, emotional depth.
• Blue: Nobility, wisdom, calm authority.
• Green: Renewal, balance, growth.

What anniversary do natural fancy-coloured Diamonds represent?

Diamonds are associated with the 60th wedding anniversary.

Are natural fancy-coloured Diamonds birthstones?

Yes, a Diamond is the birthstone for April.

Are natural fancy-coloured Diamonds considered investment-grade gemstones?

Absolutely! Top quality natural fancy-coloured Diamonds are widely regarded as investment grade gemstones based on extreme rarity, documented price growth, global demand and severe supply constraints. Natural fancy colour diamonds sit at the top tier of investment grade stones.

Where do natural fancy-coloured Diamonds come from geographically?

Major sources of natural fancy-coloured Diamonds include Australia – Argyle mine (legendary pinks and reds; now closed, increasing rarity). South Africa & other African countries – yellow, blue and other colours. Russia, Canada, Brazil - occasional fancy colours across the spectrum.

What is the hardness of natural fancy-coloured Diamonds?

Natural fancy-coloured Diamonds are a 10 on Moh’s Scale and therefore considered the most robust and most durable of all the gemstones.

Are there any interesting facts regarding natural fancy-coloured Diamonds?

Less than 0.1% of Diamonds are natural fancy colours and intense & vivid hues are rarer still. Closure of the Australian Argyle mine has driven a surge in prices for pink and red diamonds, with a top quality Argyle red having sold for over $2.7M per carat. A single Boron atom among millions of carbon atoms can make a diamond visibly blue.

Do natural fancy-coloured Diamonds have any inclusions?

Yes - natural fancy coloured Diamonds absolutely can have inclusions, and in fact, inclusions are normal even in high value stones. What’s different is how inclusions affect value, because in coloured Diamonds, colour outranks clarity. The more intense or vivid th colour, the rarer the Diamond.

What is the cleaning procedure for natural fancy-coloured Diamonds?

Cleaning is generally not an issue when it comes to natural fancy-coloured Diamonds. Use lukewarm water and mild dish soap. Ultrasonic cleaners & steam cleaners are generally safe but one must be aware of internal flaws when considering. Harsh chemicals and sudden temperature changes should be avoided.

What are the value factors of natural fancy-coloured Diamonds?

For natural fancy-coloured Diamonds, colour outranks all other factors.

Colour (most critical):

• Hue (colour family), tone (light/dark), saturation (intensity).
• Graded by GIA from Faint → Fancy Light → Fancy → Fancy Intense → Fancy Vivid / Deep

Rarity by colour:

• Yellow: most common fancy colour.
• Pink, red, blue, green: extremely rare, highest priced.

Clarity, cut and carat weight: Still relevant, but secondary to colour in fancy-coloured Diamonds. Larger stones with span colour command exponential premiums.

Origin & provenance: Argyle pinks, famous mines, and documented history add value.

Treatment status: Untreated natural colour is vastly more valuable than irradiated or HPHT-treated stones.