Can't decide between the sparkle of diamonds and the vibrance of a coloured gemstone? Why not mix them both! You're right— it's the rare and extraordinary coloured diamonds that'll have you swoon. But are these available in the Indian market? Which colours are the most popular? Where to buy them? 

We'll answer all your bubbling questions one by one…

What Are The Types of Coloured Diamonds Available in India? 

In India, you can discover a stunning spectrum of colours to choose from. The most popular ones are blue, pink, and yellow diamonds. Blue diamonds exude luxury and sophistication, whilst pink diamonds add a touch of elegance and femininity. Yellow diamonds, on the other hand, radiate warmth and sunshine. These colours are absolute favourites in India, and it's easy to see why! 

But if you're looking for something even more unique and exclusive, consider the rarest of them all - red, purple, and orange diamonds. Red diamonds are extremely rare and prized for their deep, rich colour.

While all diamonds form under intense pressure and heat deep within the Earth's core, coloured diamonds owe their unique hues to the presence of specific elements.

- Nitrogen: adds majestic yellow or orange tones

- Boron: imparts brilliant blue

- Hydrogen: produces enchanting violet

- Natural radiation: creates vibrant green

- Intense pressure: crafts exquisite pinks, reds, and browns

Mother Nature's subtle variations yield these breathtaking, rare treasures. Let's discuss a few of the most popular ones in detail: 

Pink Diamonds: 

Formation: It's a diamond with a blush of pink! Pink diamonds owe their unique hue to an extraordinary process called "plastic deformation," where intense heat and pressure alter their crystal lattice structure. This phenomenon occurs deep within the earth's mantle, making each pink diamond a rare and precious find.

Colour: What makes pink diamonds special is their classification by colour intensity, ranging from faint to fancy vivid. 

Their grading involves three key parameters: 

• hue (the primary colour), 
• saturation (colour intensity), and 
• tone (lightness or darkness). 
  
  

Some pink diamonds may also exhibit secondary hues, like brown or purple, which can affect their value.

Symbolism: Pink diamonds symbolise luxury, femininity, and love, making them a popular choice for engagement rings and fine jewellery. 

Affordability: While natural and pink lab-grown diamonds share the same physical and optical properties, the rarity and mining costs of natural pink diamonds result in prices that are 5-20 times higher.

Yellow Diamonds:

Formation: Yellow diamonds boast a vibrant yellow body colour due to tiny amounts of nitrogen within their crystal structure. This unique composition is altered by "plastic deformation", resulting in the distinctive yellow hue.

Colour: The intensity of yellow diamonds ranges from faint to vivid, with the most prized being "canary yellow" – a pure, intense yellow. Unlike colourless diamonds, yellow diamonds are graded on the intensity and purity of their yellow colour.

Symbolism: Yellow diamonds radiate happiness, optimism, and joy. Their bright, sunny colour makes them a popular choice for engagement rings and fine jewellery.

Affordability: Now, you can own a stunning yellow diamond without breaking the bank. Yellow lab-grown diamonds combine the vibrancy of yellow sapphires with the twinkle of diamonds, at an affordable price.

Blue Diamonds:

Formation: Blue diamonds form deep within the Earth's mantle, typically at depths over 660 km. Their distinctive blue hue is caused by boron substituting carbon atoms in the diamond's crystal lattice.

Colour: Boron absorbs specific wavelengths of light, making blue diamonds appear blue. Classified as Type IIb diamonds, they lack nitrogen impurities, setting them apart from other coloured diamonds.

Symbolism:  Blue diamonds evoke depth, tranquillity, and luxury. Their rich colour makes them popular for engagement rings and meaningful gifts. Plus the legendary ‘Hope Diamond’ exemplifies their allure and cultural significance.

Affordability: Owing to its rarity, these are quite expensive! But the good news is— you can still have them for 40-90% less priced with Blue lab-grown diamonds. 

Red Diamonds:

Formation: Red diamonds are born from intense pressure that alters the crystal structure of carbon atoms. Through a process called plastic deformation, the diamond absorbs green and blue light frequencies, emerging with a deep red colour. This transformation occurs as the diamond rises through its kimberlite deposit.

Colour: Red diamonds are classified as "fancy red" and boast a pure red colour, sometimes with purplish or brownish undertones. Interestingly, red diamonds are from the same family as fancy pinks, so a "light red" diamond would actually be classified as a pink diamond.

Symbolism: Red diamonds embody rarity, luxury, and exclusivity. Their bold colour is often linked with passion and love, making them highly prized by collectors and investors.

Rarity and Value: With only 20-30 gem-quality red diamonds existing worldwide, these treasures are extremely rare. The Moussaieff Red, weighing 5.11 carats, is the largest known red diamond. Now, red lab-grown red diamonds offer a more accessible alternative, retaining the same beauty and luxury appeal.

Green Diamonds: 

Formation: Natural green diamonds owe their colour to radiation exposure, primarily from uranium or thorium in surrounding rocks. As these materials decay, they emit radiation that alters the diamond's crystal structure, creating vacancies and displacing carbon atoms.

Colour: The green colour in diamonds results from radiation-induced structural changes. The intensity and duration of exposure determine the shade and depth of colour, ranging from light to deep green. Some green diamonds may exhibit secondary colours like yellow or brown. Uniformly coloured specimens are most prized, although many have a surface "skin" of colour due to shallow radiation exposure.

Symbolism: Green diamonds symbolise harmony, balance, and nature. Their unique colouration makes them highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs.

Rarity and Value: Green diamonds are extremely rare, with only a few hundred known specimens. Lab-grown green diamonds replicate the natural process under controlled conditions, offering a more accessible alternative while retaining the same beauty and rarity.

Wondering where to get these beauties? Well, they're just a click away! Angara not only offers sustainable and stunning diamond and gemstone designs, but also offers complete customisations! 

From picking your favourite shade to the metal type and carat weight, make your jewellery one-of-a-kind. Get exploring right away!

FAQs

1. When did coloured diamonds become popular?
Coloured diamonds stole the spotlight in the 90s - and never gave it back!

2. What are the factors that impact the colour of diamonds?
Chemical impurities, radiation, pressure, heat, crystal structure, cutting, and treatment methods impact the diamond colour.