Types of Diamonds

Diamonds are specifically classified into four types on the basis of impurities contained by them in themselves or the level of infrared absorption spectrum.

The types of diamonds are classified in two categories Type 1 and Type 2. These two categories are sub classified in further two categories each.

Type 1a, Type 1b, Type 2a and Type 2b. 1a and 1b are the natural forms of diamonds in which they are found.

Type 1

Nitrogen is the main impurity for Type 1a diamonds and can absorb infrared and ultraviolet region by 320 nm. They are about 98% of the total volume of the diamonds. These diamonds are pale or almost colorless due to absorption characteristics of nitrogen in it as a main impurity. They can absorb blue light quite easily. The Type la diamonds are found in huge amount at Cape Town a province of South Africa.

In Type 1b of diamonds nitrogen is found in very low quantity (0.05%). Due to more diffused atoms in these form of diamonds they can absorb green and blue lights and give dark brown and yellow color. This type of diamonds contributes a very less amount of total quantity (0.01%). 

Type 2

In this class of diamonds impurities are immeasurable. These diamonds are about 2% of the total diamonds found and also of gem diamonds. Theses diamonds need very high temperature and depth to be formed. These diamonds show orange, pink, brown, red purple and yellow colors due to its impurities. 

Type 2b diamonds are only 0.1% of the total quantity of diamonds. Boron is the main impurity in this type of diamonds and these diamonds contain the least amount of impurities. Boron makes theses diamonds to absorb red, yellow and orange colors. 

Formation of Diamonds

Formation of Diamonds

Diamond is the hardest but most beautiful element available on earth. The hardness of an element is scaled from 1(soft) to 10(hardest) and diamond falls in 10. The formation of diamond is a lengthy and very rigid procedure. Diamonds require a specific dept, pressure and and other atmospheric conditions to get into existence. It requires a depth of about 150 to 200 kilometers below the surface level and few of them are crystallized at a dept of about 300 kilometers (really a quite deepest level). As it is understood that the more the depth increases the more the temperature goes increasing and it plays a major and vital role in the formation of a diamond. The perfect combination of depth and temperature along with cratons(lithosphere) makes the crystalline form into existence and increases the size of a diamond.

After a deep study of diamond it is noticed that the diamond contain a carbon obtained from organic and inorganic resources. Harzburgitic diamonds are an example of inorganic carbon diamonds and eclogitic diamonds are a fine example of organic diamonds. Diamonds those are found at the surface of the earth are nearly about 21% to 75% of the age of the eath (1 billion to 3.2 billions).

Diamonds are found in the form of macles (euhedral, octahedra and twinned octahedra). The diamond atoms are arranged in a cubic formation and have fine edges and some could be with round faces wrapped in nyf a material like gum-skin. 

Diamond Cutting

Diamond cutting is one of the most difficult and technical work to do due to its hardness. It requires a special set of skills, knowledge, tools and techniques. In this process diamond is transformed from a rough shape to a furnished stone.

In thirteenth century (1375) diamonds was furnished and polished in Germany for the very first time. The cutting of diamond is named as "cut". The "cut" is further classified in two processes. Th first one is the shape of diamond. In which form/shape it is to be cutted down (round, oval, square or any other) and the second process is a special cut in the diamond. The price/worth of a diamond is measured on the basis of its shape and cutting. Diamond is the most hardest element on this earth so, a special diamond coated tools are used in this process. The biggest development in the process of cutting is "Point Cut" and the diamond cutters have removed some impurities by using this process.  

Extraction of Diamonds from Earth Crust

Diamonds require very high depth(150 km) inside the earth to be formed. It is not possible to extract diamond from that depth. There is a natural process in which the earth extracts the diamonds from its crust to its surface. That natural process is known as volcanic eruption. In this process the stone caring diamond is brought to the surface of the earth by eruptions. These stones are carried through volcanic pipes formed in the result of small volcano craters. These pipes starts from the surface of the earth down towards the crust of the earth, many other material along with magma is also found in these pipes like wood and fossils. All the diamond craters are not to be used for the extraction of diamonds because it is not compulsory for all magma pipes to contain diamonds. Many pipes contain a very small amount of diamonds and it is not supposed to be economically suitable to be done. Because of this process diamonds are supposed to be very rare. 

The magma present in pipes do not contain diamonds itself but it takes the diamond from deep down crust of the earth towards the surface of the earth, it is like a carrier. There are some special minerals also present in these pipes like chromium or titanium which brings bright colors to other elements.

The volcanic pipe brings the diamonds to the surface of the earth and spreads them to a large surface area. These pipes are known as "primary source of diamonds". The surface area on which diamonds spread in known as "secondary source of diamonds".  These diamonds are collected or spread at one place or several places by wind and water.

Pink Diamonds

Pink diamonds are truly one of the world's best kept secrets. In a range of stunning hues and intensities, from a very intense purplish pink to a blush pink champagne, these diamonds are so rare most people will never see one.

The diamonds are mined in the far north of Western Australia, at the Argyle Diamond Mine, where the world's only intense pink diamonds are found.

Kimberley Fine Diamonds has one of the finest collections of loose pink diamonds in Australia which can also be handcrafted into individually designed pieces to ensure your rare diamond purchase is displayed in a wholly unique fashion.

Natural fancy coloured diamonds are very rare and expensive. Pink is one of the rarest and most desirable colours. The Darya-i-Nur diamond is the largest pink diamond in the world at about 185 carats.

Quality for quality, fancy pink diamonds are more expensive than ordinary near-colourless ones. We have seen astronomical prices quoted for pink diamonds, but we manage to source small numbers at reasonable prices. Most pink diamonds, even enhanced ones, are more expensive than white ones of similar quality. There is quite a variation between different shades and hues of pink. Although some of the pink diamonds we have seen have been intensely coloured, some colours are definitely more attractive than others.

Most pink diamonds are only very delicately coloured, from barely perceptable to medium pink, but a few are intensely coloured. The "Tinted Pink" in the ring shown above is a very subtle colour. The stone on the right is more of a medium pink.

This stone was one our favourite colour of pink at the time. The heavy inclusion looks bad in our photograph, but it possibly helped to display the stone's colour. In any case it sold very quickly. Pink diamonds are truly one of the world's best kept secrets. In a range of stunning hues and intensities, from a very intense purplish pink to a blush pink champagne, these diamonds are so rare most people will never see one

Blue Diamonds

Natural fancy coloured diamonds are very rare and expensive. Blue is one of the rarest and most desirable colours. The Hope diamond, which we have viewed in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., is the most famous blue diamond in the world, and the largest at 45.52 carats.

Quality for quality, fancy blue diamonds are more expensive than ordinary near-colourless ones. The processing adds to the costs, so it is generally only worth treating diamonds of high clarity. The diamonds selected for treatment usually start off a one of the less desirable colours such as brown or yellow. There is quite a variation between different shades and hues of blue. Although most of the blue diamonds we have seen have been intensely coloured, some colours are definitely more attractive than others. There is bound to be an element of personal preference when it comes to choosing your favorite color of blue diamond.

The length-to-width ratio of Heart Shape diamonds can vary. Fat hearts will have ratios in the 0.85 to 1 ratio while skinny hearts are will be greater than 1.10. The best ratio for you will depend on your personal preferences so do your shopping to determine what you like best.

This is always a good choice in a shape... they are very optically efficient because the angles of the facets can be consistently set all the way around the diamond. This diamond shape never goes out of fashion like some of the other diamond fancy shapes. "Well cut" Round Brilliant Cut diamonds, with a lot of light being returned back to your eyes can mask low Clarity and Color

Pear Shape Diamonds, This brilliant cut diamond is also called a teardrop for its single point and rounded end. The unique look of Pear Shape diamonds help make it a popular choice for a variety of diamond jewelry.

Yellow Diamonds

The largest known diamond on earth is a yellow diamond weighing in at a huge 616 carats. The Kimberley Octahedron is an uncut diamond that was discovered in South Africa in the Dutoitspan mine about 1972. It was the property of Diamond Trading Company (De Beers) in 2001. The diamond is today exhibited in the "Diamond Vault" of the visitors center of the "Kimberley Big Hole". There is quite a variation between different shades and hues of yellow. Although most of the yellow diamonds we have seen have been intensely coloured, some colours are definitely more attractive than others. There is bound to be an element of personal preference when it comes to choosing your favourite colour of yellow diamond, but we believe there are some guidelines which will help.

The fancy yellow diamonds we have seen so far fall into three groups, the first being a light but intense yellow, as the diamond at the top. Our personal preference was the rich golden colour of the marquise shaped stone on the right.
Yellow Diamonds are cherished gem stones for their gorgeous color, exotic appearance and mystic power. Which diamond rings look best with yellow diamonds? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you haven’t seen fancy yellow diamond rings lately, you’re in for a treat. The new diamond rings designs with fancy yellow diamonds are fashionable and alluring. Mellow Diamonds - Yellow Diamonds Want to impress people at a party? Wear yell diamond jewelry such as elegant yellow diamond earrings.
The yellow colored diamond is not just another ordinary gemstone. It is of only yellow color and has no hint of any other shades like green or brown that darken the stone. They are sheer bright yellow in color, like the old world 'canary bird', hence they are referred to as 'canary yellow diamonds'. Yellow diamonds can be found though they are quite rare. Treatments can produce these or additional colors. As long as the treatment is disclosed and is an “approved” treatment (one that is permanent), this is acceptable in the Gem world.

Diamonds 4 All

Diamonds have been a source of fascination for centuries. They are the hardest, the most imperishable, and the brilliant of all precious stones. The word "diamond" comes from the Greek word adamas, meaning "unconquerable".

A diamond is a transparent gem made of carbon, one of the earth's most common elements. The formation of diamonds began very early in the earth's history, when the condensation of solid matter into a sphere caused the centre of the planet to become subjected to incredible extremes of temperatures and pressure. Fancy blue diamonds are available in a wide range of shades, from the blue of the sky to a more "steely" colour than sapphire. Limited quantities of fancy blue diamonds are recovered from the Argyle mine. Natural fancy coloured diamonds are very rare and expensive. Most people believe that yellow diamonds are less desirable and valuable than white diamonds. While this is true of faintly coloured or off-white diamonds, intensely coloured diamonds.

Most pink diamonds are only very delicately coloured, from barely perceptable to medium pink, but a few are intensely coloured. The "Tinted Pink" in the ring shown above is a very subtle colour. The stone on the right is more of a medium pink. The most traditional and popular color associated with the Diamond is Green, or colorless, and is strongly favored as a popular gem in  jewelry. However, the Green colored, or, colorless, diamond is categorised into the following: Colorless, Nearly colorless, Faintly tinted (usually yellow), Lightly tinted (usually yellow) and Tinted (usually yellow but may progress to Greenish).

The world's largest red diamond is known as the Red Shield, and weighs "only" 5.11 carats, compared with over 600 carats for the largest diamond of any kind. It would get anywhere near the list of the world's largest diamonds, yet it is famous for the fact that it is red, one of the rarest colours for diamonds.

Natural fancy coloured diamonds are very rare and expensive. Brown is probably the last colour one would imagine for a diamond, and normally one of the lowest preference colours. It is possible however for brown diamonds to be attractive. Some brown hues are more appealing then others

Green Diamonds

The Dresden Green diamond is a 41 carats  natural green diamond, which originated in Kollur mine in state of Andhra Pradesh in Indian subcontinent. It has a historical record dating back to 1722, when a London news-sheet carried an article about it in its 25 October-27th edition.

It is named after Dresden, the capital of Saxony, Germany where it has been on display for most of the last two centuries. In 2000, American jeweler, Harry Winston arranged to display the Dresden Green in his New York store and then at the Smithsonian in Washington DC, USA, where it was displayed in the Harry Winston pavilion next to the largest blue diamond in the world, the Hope diamond.

Natural green diamonds are so rare that most jewellers have never seen one, and will never own one. In recent years, methods of producing intensely coloured diamonds, including fancy green, have been developed. We believe that the process probably recreates the conditions which existed millions of years ago to produce natural fancy coloured stones

Quality for good quality, fancy green diamonds are more expensive than ordinary near-colourless ones. The processing adds to the costs, so it is generally only worth treating diamonds of high clarity. The diamonds selected for treatment usually start off a one of the less desirable colours such as brown or yellow. There is no certainty about the final colour that any particular stone will be after treatment.

There is quite a variation between different shades and hues of green. Although most of the green diamonds we have seen have been intensely coloured, some colours are definitely more attractive than others. There is bound to be an element of personal preference when it comes to choosing your favourite colour of green diamond. This heart shaped green diamond reminds us of peridot, a very bright apple green, with perhaps a hint of neon. It's the only one of its colour we have yet seen. It was brighter and more attractive than our photograph shows it, due to the limits of our photographic skills.

The green diamonds we currently have available are enhanced or treated. If this fact puts you off owning one, then please stop to consider that every diamond has been enhanced by facetting, and most coloured gemstones are heat treated to enhance their color.

The green color is usually caused by the crystal's coming into contact with a radioactive source at some point during its lifetime, and in geological terms, this is measured in millions of years.