Diamonds are the rarest gemstones by themselves. But even these sparse precious stones have various popularity levels and are available in different quantities. That’s why their value and price differ dramatically from one stone to another. In this overview, we’ll concentrate on the most exceptional gems in the world. Precisely, we’ll discuss the rarest diamonds in the groups of colored and colorless jewels. Continue reading to meet the most extraordinary stones in the world!
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The Rarest Types Among Coloured Diamonds
The shortest answer to the question “What are the rarest diamonds in the world” is “Colored diamonds.” Any color in these gemstones is unusual, as it contradicts the classic vision on diamonds and the most popular engagement ring design with a colorless round solitaire. At the same time, it’s hard to underestimate the value of these rarest diamonds. Most gemstones are precious enough to be sold even before they are polished.
When it comes to certain colors of the rarest diamonds, their popularity depends on the mine capacity and the celebrity choice. For example, the recent closure of Argyle mine caused a dramatic shortage of pink diamonds on the market. Besides, the popularity of yellow diamonds increased after Enrique Iglesias proposed to Anna Kournikova with a ring featuring the gem of this color. These factors always appear suddenly — and so, are mostly unpredictable.
Aside from these fluctuations, there are some common members in the list of the rarest diamonds in the world. Here, we’ll discuss red, blue, green, orange, and pink diamonds in detail. In any color group, the intensity matters. Fancy Color Diamonds are the rarest gemstones, representing even less than 0.1% of the entire supply.
| Fancy and intense tones are the rarest in any color group of diamonds |
Red Diamonds
These diamonds have the rarest color — in fact, there is no intense tint ever found in this category. Even red diamonds of a muted tone are sparse: there are 30 examples only ever found. These days, the spectrum of red-colored diamonds includes several hues, ranging from orangish to an almost brown tint.
Fancy Reds are mostly found in Australia, in a well-known Argyle Diamond Mine. The most popular representatives of this color are the Moussaieff Red and the Hancock Red, the rarest cases of the top clarity and color in this category.
Blue Diamonds
Blue is also one of the rarest colors in diamonds. For a long time, it was associated with royalty, making it a symbol of power and luxury. These days, blue diamonds come in a variety of hues, ranging from greyish to dark blue. If they appear gray, blue, or gray-bluish, these diamonds belong to the IIb formation type. This type of diamond has a unique chemical composition that includes boron and lacks nitrogen, which allows it to conduct electricity. This fascinating property makes blue diamonds even more interesting.
On the market, blue diamonds can cost tens of millions of dollars, depending on their size and quality. Their striking colors and rarity make them highly desirable for collectors and investors alike. The most remarkable jewels of this color are the Hope Diamond and the Wittelsbach Graff. The Hope Diamond, with its deep blue hue and rich history, is one of the most famous diamonds in the world, while the Wittelsbach Graff is known for its stunning color and clarity. These diamonds are often featured in exhibitions.
Green Diamonds
Green is the color that creates an extremely unusual appearance in a diamond. In nature, intense green is the tint for the rarest diamonds; however, in recent years, artificial enhancements have been used to intensify the green color in some diamonds. Generally, the green color appears on the diamond’s surface only, meaning it may not be evenly distributed throughout the entire stone. This unique feature adds to the character and charm of green diamonds, making them stand out even more.
The list of countries where such diamonds are mined includes Borneo, Brazil, Guyana, Zimbabwe, and India. These regions are known for their rich deposits of colored diamonds, and each location can produce diamonds with different shades and characteristics. The most notable titles in this color category are the Dresden Green and Aurora Green. The Dresden Green is famous for its deep, rich color and historical significance, while the Aurora Green is known for its stunning hue and unique story.
Orange Diamonds
Orange diamonds are extremely sparse, especially if they are dark and have no yellowish tint. That’s because it’s hard to reach the perfect proportion of yellow, red, and secondary tones in a stone of this color. Frequently, orange becomes the secondary tone in brown, yellow, or pink diamonds. To be titled either orange or “orangy,” a gemstone should be of Ib type — all diamonds with this formation are the rarest.
There are many alternative titles for orange diamonds, including “canary” or “saffron.” The rich color comes as a result of nitrogen inclusion in the chemical structure of such diamonds. The most famous gemstone in this color category is The Pumpkin Orange, a 5.54-carat cushion diamond. The other diamond, titled “The Orange,” has 14.82 carats of weight and was sold for a record $35.5 million.
| Argyle Diamond Mine in East Kimberley, Australia, is the place where the rarest diamonds in the world are mined, including red, blue, and pink colors |
Pink Diamonds
The rarest diamonds of this color are the frequent hosts at auctions and are generally loved by celebrities. To satisfy the demand for this type of colored diamonds, many jewelry stores started offering faint pinks to the wide public. But fancy intense hues are harder to find — they are among the rarest diamonds in the world.
Most pink diamonds are found in the Argyle Mine in Western Australia. Also, there are some gemstones of this hue in Brazil, Siberia (Russia), and South Africa. The most remarkable stones in this color category include Graff Pink and Steinmetz Pink (also known as The Pink Star). Also, pink diamonds are loved by Iranian royalty, as Daria-i-Noor and Noor-ul-Ain are among the crown jewels in this country.
Purple Diamonds
Purple diamonds are very rare and special colored diamonds. Their colors can range from soft lavender to deep violet, with the most valuable ones being those that have a strong, rich color. The rarity of purple diamonds is due to the specific conditions needed for their formation, making them hard to find.
Most purple diamonds come from the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia, but you can also find them in small amounts in places like South Africa and India. Some well-known purple diamonds include the Royal Purple Heart and the Purple Orchid. Because there are not many purple diamonds available, they are highly sought after and can be quite expensive. Collectors and jewelry lovers appreciate them for their unique look and the beauty they bring to rings and other pieces of jewelry.
Black Diamonds
Black diamonds, often called carbonados, are unique because of their dark color and interesting appearance. Unlike other colored diamonds, the black color comes from tiny flaws and inclusions within the diamond. This means they don’t shine as brightly as clear diamonds but have a rough, textured look that many people find appealing.
South Africa and Brazil are the countries where the majority of black diamonds are found. Their rarity and distinctive style have made them increasingly popular in recent years, especially in unique and modern jewelry designs. Famous examples of black diamonds include the Black Orlov and the Black Star of Africa. Because of their unusual characteristics, black diamonds symbolize mystery and elegance, making them a favorite choice for those looking for something different and eye-catching.
The Rarest Types Among Colorless Diamonds
Even though colored diamonds are the rarest ones, there are some sparse types among colorless diamonds too. Here, the formation type matters. Among colorless diamonds, Type IIa (or 2 A) is for the rarest samples.
Type IIa diamonds have the title ‘Golconda’ because they are mined in Golconda mine, India. Their hallmarks are the absence of nitrogen impurities and long formation time, which result in the rarest and top-quality characteristics: D color and flawless clarity. IIa type can also be present in the colored diamonds, including light tints of blue, green, and pink. In general, these gemstones are the most expensive, purest, and among the rarest diamonds in the world.
The famous representatives of the rarest colorless diamonds are Koh-i-Noor, Cullinan, and The Lesotho Legend. All of them are Type IIa diamonds.
Where To Get The Rarest Diamonds?
If you can participate in auctions, this is the best place to hunt for a rare diamond pick. But this move requires special knowledge and heavy investment. The most popular auction in the industry is Sotheby’s, the grand event that features contemporary art, wine, and jewelry.
If you can’t handle costly participation in an auction, you can contact us to help you get a rare diamond pick. We’re Diamond Registry, the established diamond information platform that offers consumers the expertise of a diamond expert online. We are committed to providing our clients with the most competitive prices in the industry while also maintaining the highest quality standards. Contact us, and we’ll get you the top diamond for the best price!
