Which is the most expensive diamond color?

Diamonds are the world’s most popular and valuable gemstone. Diamonds can be worth hundreds, thousands, or even millions of dollars. But did you know diamond prices vary according to colour? To know about the most expensive diamond color, continue to read on.

WHAT MAKES A DIAMOND COLOR VALUABLE?

Color intensity of a diamond, including its richness and deepness of color is an essential consideration when buying a diamond. The more intense the color, the rarer and more valuable the diamond. Further, the GIA color scale is the industry standard for grading a diamond. It ranges from D (absolutely colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). A diamond color with grade D is the highest grade and is very rare. Hence, D is the most expensive diamond color grade.

Not all coloured diamonds are the same, and not all are expensive. The value of a coloured diamond depends on how pure the color is and how clear the color shows through. Further, depending on the hue and intensity of a diamond’s colouration, a diamond’s colour can either reduce or enhance its value. For example, most white diamonds are discounted in price when a more yellow hue is detectable. But intense pink diamonds or blue diamonds (such as the Hope Diamond) can be dramatically more valuable.

MOST EXPENSIVE DIAMOND COLORS 

When you think a diamond, you automatically think of a crystal-clear diamond. However, white or crystal-clear diamonds are not the only diamonds that exist. Diamonds can come in a range of different colours and shades. The most popular diamond colours are:

YELLOW DIAMONDS – Most Fancy Diamond Color

Yellow diamonds are the most common fancy diamond colour. Also known as a canary diamond, yellow diamonds have become an increasingly popular choice for engagement rings. This is due to their unique shine and affordability. Yellow diamonds can come in all shapes and sizes as well as colour intensities.

The more intense and purer a yellow diamond is, the more expensive it tends to be. Yellow diamonds can also be found in a range of shades from brownish-yellow to greenish-yellow. Out of all these variants, brownish-yellow are usually less expensive. 

Graff Vivid Yellow diamond was the most expensive yellow diamond sold at Sotheyby’s for $16.3 million in 2014. (Source)

BLUE DIAMONDS

The most common question asked about blue diamonds is, Are they real? The answer is yes. Often, people mistake blue diamonds for sapphires. While sapphires and blue diamonds may look similar, they are entirely two different types of stones. Like all diamonds, blue diamonds also come in different shades. These are high in demand but are becoming increasingly rare. This makes them one of the most expensive diamond colors today.

There is no doubt the most famous blue diamond is the Hope Diamond. Weighing in at 45 carats this bluish-green diamond holds a ton of history which contributes to its appeal and value. (Source)

What color diamond is the rarest – PINK DIAMONDS

Pink diamonds are among the rarest of coloured diamonds. You may have seen tons of pink diamonds before. But the diamonds you mostly see are human-made, and not naturally occurring pink diamonds. Due to their rarity, pink diamonds are costly. Also, the less pure the diamond is, the least expensive it will be. If you are in the market for an affordable pink diamond, man-made pink diamonds would be your ideal pick.

The Graff Pink diamond made in 24.78 carats was sold for $46 million in 2010. Later in the year 2017, the Pink Star aka the Steinmetz Pink, is a 59.60-carat pink diamond ring sold for over $71.2 million became the most expensive Pink diamond.

GREEN DIAMOND

Green colour diamonds are very fancy, and it can be tough for an individual to figure out if the diamond is pure or made with artificial colours. Two most popular green colour diamonds are the ocean dream green diamond and the Dresden Green Diamond.’

Sold for USD 3.08 million in 2009 at Sotheby’s, Aurora Green diamond is the most expensive diamond – vivid green coloured till date. (Source)

ORANGE DIAMOND

Orange diamonds are one of the fanciest coloured diamonds available in the market. Though orange diamonds have a low demand in the market, they look beautiful and are totally worth the investment.

Sold for $35 million, the 14.82-carat pear-shaped, “The Orange” is the largest Fancy Vivid Orange diamond to ever appear at an auction. (Source)

RED DIAMONDS – MOST EXPENSIVE DIAMOND COLOR

Red Diamonds are the rarest and thus the most expensive diamond color!  They come only in a fancy intensity and the colour modifiers for them are purplish (purplish-red diamonds) and brownish. Pure red diamonds almost don’t exist.

The most known red diamond is the Moussaieff Red – a 5.11ct Pure red diamond. (Source)

WHITE DIAMOND

While white diamonds are available, the high ranking 4Cs white diamonds are very rare. This is also the purest form of a diamond. White diamonds are an apt choice for those who don’t like fancy colour diamonds.

MOST FANCY DIAMOND COLOR

While there are thousands of diamond colours, we’ll divide the fancy colour diamonds into four main colour groups based on their prices:

• Relatively affordable coloured diamonds – Grey, Brown and Fancy Yellow Diamonds.
• Mid-range pricing – Intense and Vivid Yellow Diamonds and Orange Diamonds.
• High price range – Pink, Purple, Violet, Green and Blue diamond.
• Ultra-High – Only one colour is without a doubt, the rarest diamond colour which is also the most expensive diamond color in the world – Red.

Thus, every coloured diamond that you see is not something regular, and not all are expensive.

CONCLUSION

Resplendent, precious and exclusive, each diamond is distinctive and is a miracle of time, place and change. And each has specific qualities that establish its value. The value of a coloured diamond depends on how pure the colour is and how clear the colour shows through. The rarity of the colour also plays an essential role.

For more information on diamonds, keep reading Fabulously.

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