Coloured diamonds are a rare phenomenon. Each colour is created based on the environment in which the crystal structure develops deep within the earths layers, cultivated over millions of years. Around the world the most well known coloured diamond is the infamous, Argyle Pink. But is the pink the rarest colour of them all?
Diamonds are created when carbon is trapped within the earth’s mantle. Coloured diamonds are formed when trace elements, or lack there of, are trapped during the crystal formation. For every coloured diamond created, a different trace element is its cause. There are six coloured diamonds; green, blue, red, pink, purple, and orange.
A green diamonds colour is from natural exposure to radioactive uranium expelled from the earth. Blue diamonds colouring is caused by minute quantities of boron. What makes this so unique is that blue diamonds are found 660km within the lower mantle of the earth, where boron is scarce. While not yet confirmed, pink diamonds have no trace elements within its DNA. Leading scientists believe its colour is caused by a distortion during the formation of the crystal structure. Red diamonds however have zero impurities which is extraordinarily unique. The red colouring is due to a deformity in the internal structure and when light passes through the deformity it bends expelling the red colouring
Colour plays an integral part of a diamonds rarity and greatly influences the price. While a coloured diamond is rare, those which expel intense colours will often generate the highest price per carat. For example, pink diamonds are found in other parts of the world, however those mined from Argyle generate an intense pink like no other. This causes the price per carat to be higher. The more intense the colour the higher the value.
Last year, over 130 million carats of diamonds were mined around the world. In comparison, only 0.01% of that were coloured diamonds. This is largely due to incredibly low numbers of colours available. Even more so with the closure of the Argyle mine in Western Australia. With reduced stock and demand being high, it makes coloured diamonds rare and exclusive.
With limited quantities being found around the world, coupled with the earths unique ability to create such stunning treasures, it is the red diamond that is the rarest colour of them all. During Argyles 30 years of mining, only 13 red diamonds were found and exhibited. Furthermore, only 17 additional red diamonds are known to exist around the world. Making a red diamond the rarest of all the coloured diamonds.
Coloured diamonds are an incredible gift from nature. Owning one is a privilege and a honour. While all coloured diamonds are rare, it is the red diamond that holds the title for the most exclusive of them all.
