Inspirational Wedding

Brown Diamond

The Story of Colored Diamonds

When they think of diamonds, colored diamonds aren't usually what comes to people's minds. The fact is however that fancy colored diamonds are not unusual; they come in almost every shade and hue imaginable, and in many cases, are more valuable than "colorless' diamonds.

A Glorified Lump of Coal?

Diamond - known to the ancients as adamantine - is what is known as an allotrope of carbon, and in chemical terms, is identical to common forms of coal and graphite. The difference lies not in chemical composition, but rather in how the molecules are arranged.

Diamonds form far deeper beneath the earth's surface than coal or graphite; the carbon is subjected to extraordinarily higher pressures (up to 440 tons per square inch) and temperatures (as much as 2300 degrees Fahrenheit). This causes the molecules to be bonded to each other in a tetrahedral arrangement, accounting both for the hardness of diamond and the eight-sided shape in which they occur.

Shades of Difference

Colored diamonds are ones in which this molecular arrangement has been contaminated by a chemical reaction with some other element. A diamond that is made from pure carbon and has no structural flaws would be as perfectly transparent as pure water ice. However, no such 100% flawless diamonds have ever been found in nature.

Colored diamonds range in color from pale blue and storm gray to dark amber and even black. Pink, purple, reds and oranges have also been found. The color depends on the nature of the chemical impurity; amber and brown diamonds result from nitrogen; when internal flaws are present, they may be pink or red. A grey coloration is caused by boron, whereas a deep blue diamond may be the result of hydrogen.

Are They More Valuable?

Colored diamonds are not necessarily more valuable than clear or colorless ones, although they may be. If a collection of loose diamonds includes gemstones with a yellowish tinge, they may have less value; jewelry retailers often discount the price of such gems. One the other hand, pink and red diamonds are exceedingly rare, and command high prices on the open market when they are available at all.

Grading Of Colored Diamonds

Like their clear counterparts, colored diamonds have a unique grading system used by gemologists when analyzing and evaluating such stones. These range from "faint" on one end, to "fancy" in the mid range, and "fancy dark" for those with the most intense coloration.

Famous Examples

The Hope Diamond is a blue diamond that is currently on display at the Smithsonian Institute. One of the most valuable diamonds on earth (and the inspiration for a series of comedy films featuring a bumbling French detective) is the Dar-I-Nur, an enormous pink diamond that is part of the Persian Crown Jewels.

Colored diamonds of many different varieties - including a "chameleon" diamond that changes color - are part of the Aurora Collection, which has published photo images of their gems and can be seen at the London Museum of Natural History.

About the Author

Jonathon Blocker specializes in diamond jewelry, colored diamonds, and diamond engagement rings. He is a consultant for GemFind.com, a trusted name in the jewelry industry since 1999.

What is the normally percentage you would get for selling a diamond??

I have two diamond rings that I actually bought a long time ago used.
One is a 1/4 brown diamond, medium quality and the other is a cone (rare cut from England in the 1900s) shape diamond 1/4 carat and almost perfect.
I am guessing I should get them appraised but is it really worth selling them. What do you normally get for the value of the diamond? I was thinking of sticking them on ebay but I want a couple thousand per peice since they are both rare victorian engagment rings. I just wondered if it was worth going through all the hassle and cost of having them ceritfied and appraised.

After my divorce, I sold my engagement ring. I was in need of the money, and stupidly sold it to a jewelry store for what they'd give me. They gave me less than 10% of what it cost.

Transform Ya - Chris Brown (Cover) Joey Diamond and CP

Pinzon Diamond Matelasse Sham ...

Pinzon Diamond Matelasse Coverlet ...

Sure Fit Stretch Royal Diamond Recliner Slipcover $79.99 SmartBargains Style #3048627364...

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) $39.95 CD set that goes with PBS series. Include origianl cast recordings from many important muscials...

Jussi Björling Rediscovered $5.98 Before there were the Three Tenors there was Jussi Björling, the great Swedish tenor who died in 1960 at the age of 49. His bright, sunny tone had a slight, emotion-laden tear in it that conveyed feeling as well as, or more than, any number of sobs and effects that other tenors use. His Carnegie Hall recital of September 24, 1955 has long been available; in addition, this CD features nine never-b...

Karaoke Super Starter Set - Over 1000 Songs on 66 CD+G Discs - Sweet Georgia Brown Music $69.95 SET INCLUDES 66 BRAND NEW CD+G DISCS. It's the perfect starter set! Sweet Georgia Brown CD+G (Compact Disc + Graphics) Karaoke Disks play on any cd player but will display printed lyrics on your TV screen if you have a karaoke machine. The words change color in time to the music!...

Some Like It Hot (1959) [VHS] $3.67 Maybe "nobody's perfect," as one character in this masterpiece suggests. But some movies are perfect, and Some Like It Hot is one of them. In Chicago, during the Prohibition era, two skirt-chasing musicians, Joe and Jerry (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon), inadvertently witness the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. In order to escape the wrath of gangland chief Spats Colombo (George Raft), the boys, in dr...

Highlander [VHS] $1.75 This 1986 fantasy/action thriller has since spawned two sequels, a popular syndicated TV series, numerous comic-book spinoffs, and a loyal (if somewhat oddly obsessive) following of fans. Directed by music video veteran Russell Mulcahy (which explains the dizzying camera work), the original theatrical release made hash of an intriguing story about an "Immortal" from 16th-century Scotland (Christop...

Some Like It Hot [VHS] $0.20 Maybe "nobody's perfect," as one character in this masterpiece suggests. But some movies are perfect, and Some Like It Hot is one of them. In Chicago, during the Prohibition era, two skirt-chasing musicians, Joe and Jerry (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon), inadvertently witness the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. In order to escape the wrath of gangland chief Spats Colombo (George Raft), the boys, in dr...

MK Diamond 155818 Standard Polishing Disc 4 3000 Grit (Brown) Standard Polishing Disc 4" 3000 Grit (Brown)...

Diamond Shape Multi Brown Gold Onyx Polished Mosaics Meshed on 12 X 12 Tiles for Kitchen and Bathroom Backsplash, Shower Walls, Bathroom Floors & Walls $18.99 Gorgeous Multi Gold Brown onyx Diamond Polished mosaics meshed on a 12" x 12" tile. Each tile is one square foot. World renowned Brown onyx for its mesmerizing beauty. We also carry onyx mosaics in White, Red and Green Onyx in color. Purchase directly from the manufacturer and save. Give us a call and talk to our designers about your project. We offer discounts to Designers, Builder, Contractors a...

Diamond 9.5 Equal Double Bowl Undermount Kitchen Sink Finish: Cafe Brown $344.40 44018 Finish: Cafe Brown Pictured in Anthracite. Strainers Not Included Blanco's decorative sinks feature a no-hassle limited lifetime warranty. The Diamond Collection uses spacious elegance with its uniquely slim bowl divider. This sink's premium quality is non-porous, hygienic, rust free, and durable. Features: -Diamond Collection. -Includes Sink available in Biscuit, White, or Anthracite finish...

Some Like It Hot (Ws Rpkg) $6.48 WHEN TWO MUSICIANS WITNESS A MOB HIT, THEY FLEE THE STATE IN AN ALL FEMALE BAND DISGUISED AS WOMEN, BUT FURTHER COMPLICATIONS SET IN....

Highlander $4.23 Two immortal Scots meet in modern New York after 400 years for a final confrontation which will leave only one alive....

Camp Rock: Extended Rock Star Edition [Blu-ray] $9.77 CAMP ROCK: EXTENDED RS EDITION (BLURAY)...

Blue Diamond Almonds Cinnamon Brown Sugar, 8-Ounce Jars (Pack of 6) $23.63 Blue Diamond Natural Oven Roasted Almonds, an extraordinary new line of flavored almonds that makes snacking tastier and easier than ever for today's weight and health conscious lifestyles. The Oven Roasted Cinnamon Brown Sugar Almonds contain natural brown sugar and cinnamon making it an irresistible treat with all the nutrition of almonds....

Emerald Cocoa Roast Dark Choc. Almonds-38oz $17.99 OverviewDark Chocolate flavor Kosher 38 ounce resealable plastic jarSpecificationsAs food products are perishable goods, please note that this item cannot be returned....

Blue Diamond Natural Oven Roasted Almonds, 100 Calorie Bags 7 ea 7 Grab & Go Bags! | Smart Snacking!™100 Calories per Bag7-.6oz (17g) Bags Total Net Weight 4.2oz (119g)A Handful of Almonds a Day is a healthy Snacking ChoiceEating Almonds as part of your healthy lifestyle provides you with a satisfying snack that fills you up with fewer calories, and helps with weight management....

Toppik Hair Building Fiber Dark Brown $17.49 Instantly builds your hair with natural keratin protein fibers. You will see a full head of hair in seconds....

Toppik Hair Building Fibers If you have thin hair or balding areas, there is now an instant solution! Toppik Hair Building Fibers is a scientifically-advanced product that is unlike anything you've ever seen before. A safe, natural, and undetectable way to improve the appearance of thinning hair....

Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder ( Black ) Hair Coloring Products Buy Bumble and Bumble Hair Color Gray Coverage - Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder ( Black ) 4.4 oz. How-to-Use: Shake well before each use. If nozzle clogs, rinse with warm water. Hold can 10-12 inches away from head and spray directly onto roots and hair. Let dry before shaking out excess with fingers. Brush through to distribute (or remove). Style as desired....

Quiksilver Young Men's Cypher Illusion Boardshort $59.50 Thanks to the Quicksilver Cypher Illusion Board Short's Diamond Dobby material, you can say goodbye to surf rashes that get in the way of your social life. The one-of-a-kind diamond pattern reduces skin contact and cuts down the chances of rashing.Product FeaturesMaterial: 100% Polyester (Diamond Dobby DLX) Fit: Outseam: 22in (56cm)Leg Opening:Waist: Surf-style tieRise: Pockets: 1 SideFly:Gusseted...

Quiksilver Young Men's Cypher Jdub Boardshort $59.50 Prepare for late-night stealth departures from gated resort pools when you slide into Quiksilver's rowdy Cypher Jdub Board Short.Product FeaturesMaterial: 100% Polyester (Diamond Dobby DLX) Fit: LooseInseam:Leg Opening:Waist: Rise: Pockets: Fly:Gusseted Crotch: UPF Rating: Recommended Use: Surfing, swimmingManufacturer Warranty:...

Smartwool Men Diamond Jim Socks 10 819 $18.95 This Smartwool Diamond Jim Socks features a stylish diamond design....

Wizard of Oz: Munchkins Kelly & Tommy Doll $7.95 In the beloved movie, The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale finds herself a long way from Kansas. She arrives in Munchkin Land with a thump, and with help from Glinda the Good Witch and all the Munchkins, Dorothy finds The Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City and eventually, home. There are three adorable Munchkin figures in this giftset with a The Yellow Brick Road base, including a member of the Lolli...

---

BROWN DIAMOND BRIOLETTES NECKLACE $49500 BROWN DIAMOND BRIOLETTES NECKLACE

1/2ct Brown and White Diamond Band, 10K YG $399 1/2ct Brown and White Diamond Band,10k Yellow Gold

Genuine Diamond Brown & Golden Metal Watch $749.99 Genuine Diamond Brown & Golden Metal Watch

DARK BROWN DIAMOND BATTERY CASE FOR IPOD TOUCH $66.99 DARK BROWN DIAMOND BATTERY CASE FOR IPOD TOUCH

Brown Diamond Hamsa Necklace $425 The brown diamond hamsa necklace has a unique, romantic look, courtesy of sparkling chocolate diamonds and white gold. The passionate feel is reinforced by the stylized inverted heart on the palm of the hand. This is a necklace to fall head over heels for.

---