Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Blue Diamond
Diamonds have an irresistible sparkle and fire unlike any other gemstone and coloured diamonds are truly in a league of their own. Natural coloured diamonds, especially blue diamonds are exceedingly rare, which makes them a truly unique gift and an ideal investment piece. If you are intrigued by blue diamonds, here is more information
Is It Really a Diamond?
Diamonds are formed as carbon atoms under high pressure begin to bond and grow crystals. They developed in Earth’s mantle between 1 and 3 billion years ago. Forged by heat and pressure, diamonds were delivered to the Earth’s surface by volcanic eruptions or the movement of tectonic plates. Coloured diamonds are identical to clear diamonds, except that naturally occurring minerals penetrate the carbon crystals as they form.
Blue diamonds get their colour from the mineral boron, along with nitrogen.
A Spectrum Of Blues
Coloured diamonds are not unlike snowflakes; each is entirely unique and unlike any other. Each stone has an individual hue, colour intensity, and secondary tones that set it apart. Natural blue diamonds can exhibit a wide range of hues, from pale shades that mimic a clear sky, to vivid steel blue, to an intense deep sea blue. Common secondary hues present in natural blue diamonds are green, violet, and grey. Secondary tones may be subtle or pronounced.
A diamond’s colour is officially graded by professional gemological institutes, led by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), who perform meticulous tests with advanced equipment to examine the colour of the diamond according to three main parameters:
- Hue
- Tone
- Saturation
At the end of the process, the colour definition will be listed in the diamond’s official certificate of authenticity, which also lists its clarity, cut, weight and dimensions.
The Most Famous Diamond In History
The Hope Diamond is a stunning 45.52 carat fancy dark greyish-blue gem. Its illustrious history begins in France and ends in the USA.
A large blue diamond was sold to King Louis XIV of France in 1668. King Louis XV, had the stone reset in a piece of ceremonial jewelry for the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1749. Following Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette’s attempt to flee France in 1791, the jewels of the Royal Treasury were confiscated by the government. During a week-long looting of the crown jewels in September 1792, the French Blue diamond was stolen. It turned up in the UK in 1839 in the gem collection catalogue of Henry Philip Hope, the diamond’s namesake.
Famous jeweller Harry Winston bought the Hope Diamond, but only owned it for a single day before donating it to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C.
Insist on Authenticity
Trying to capitalize on the popularity and extremely high demand for natural blue diamonds, some companies are offering treated blue diamonds, which are created synthetically in laboratories. These are no match for authentic natural blue diamonds. The only way to ensure that you are getting the genuine article is by choosing a reliable jeweller when searching for loose blue diamonds for sale. Trust the diamond experts at Asteria to guide you through the buying process A reputable diamond dealer will ensure that stones are rigorously tested and bear original certificates of authenticity.
The top two diamond certification bodies are:
- GIA (Gemological Institute of America)
- AGS (American Gem Society)
Takeaway
Whether you are looking for a stone as part of an exquisite statement piece or as an investment, blue diamonds breathtaking beauty and unmatched rarity make them the ideal choice. Loose blue diamonds for sale are an excellent investment, sure to appreciate in value over time. Only a trusted expert in coloured diamonds can help you find the exclusive stone that catches your eye. And always insist on an original certificate to ensure that your distinctive stone has the proper documentation.
I hope you got value from this article: Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Blue Diamond
