NATURAL GREEN DIAMONDS: A rare treasure

For centuries, the origins of the green diamond, one of nature's rarest gemstones has been shrouded in mystery. Due to the extreme lack of pure greens in the marketplace, they have yet to make their way into mainstream fashion. Perhaps it is because most diamonds that do receive a grading of green are quickly bought up and hidden away by high-end dealers, collectors and connoisseurs, anticipating the demand for fancy coloured diamonds. Are green diamonds really all that uncommon? According to Stephen C. Hofer, author of Collecting and Classifying Coloured Diamonds , "Natural green diamonds are rare and old and are simply created by a set of unique geological factors." Whatever the numbers of greens available, they are often harder to get a hold of than a brand new Lamborghini.

Colour Grades:

Most green diamonds are on the fainter side of the fancy spectrum. Therefore, the most desirable colour grades are fancy, fancy intense and fancy vivid green. Fancy vivid is the most desirable colour grade and can sell for two or three times that of fancy intense. A fancy deep or fancy dark green often resembles an emerald. The two most common secondary colours found in a green diamond are yellow and blue. A bluish green often resembles the colour of the Caribbean Ocean .

Grading Green Diamonds:

Some coloured diamond dealers contend that green diamonds are harder to grade than other coloured diamonds. Many gem dealers make the same argument about grading other green coloured gems. Most comparably graded fancies will look relatively similar when placed side by side. This is not true with green diamonds. You can have two fancy intense green diamonds and they will both look slightly different in colour. This is why each green diamond is priced individually. The green colour in natural diamonds is caused by the natural radiation of the Earth, probably uranium ore, while the Earth was forming.

Prices:

Natural green diamonds remain strong in price because of the low volume available. There are few public sales which make it hard to track prices, but they are rapidly rising. A carat sized fancy green can wholesale for $60,000-$125,000 per carat. A carat size fancy intense green starts at $125,000 per carat. In 1999 a .90 carat fancy vivid green, VS clarity sold at auction for over $730,000 per carat.

Summary:

Consider yourself fortunate if you have the opportunity to view a natural green diamond in person. To those lucky enough to own a natural green diamond - enjoy.