Kenny

[justginger]

Just a quick enquiry about your red - I'd search the forums but it's easier to create a new post from my phone.

Is your red unmodified? What's the weight and dimensions? How do you feel about purchasing reds for a) scientific rarity, b) investment (I know we don't use that word here, but reds are not your normal diamond), and c) personal enjoyment?

TIA.

 

[kenny]

Just a quick enquiry about your red - I'd search the forums but it's easier to create a new post from my phone.

Is your red unmodified? What's the weight and dimensions? How do you feel about purchasing reds for a) scientific rarity, b) investment (I know we don't use that word here, but reds are not your normal diamond), and c) personal enjoyment?

TIA.

http://www.fancydiamonds.net/view_diamonds/5087.htm

Here it is with all its brothers and sisters, which I think gives a better perspective on the red hue than one pic alone.
FWIW, the white round is a 0.22 ct D IF ideal cut, and is included as a reference.



GIA Report:




Here it is "peared" up.



The red hue is unmodified, GIA graded it pure red with material and color of natural origin, 0.10 ct, VS1 per vendor but I can't find anything in it at 10x.
Pure red is more rare than Brownish Red or Purplish Red, but some people prefer the hue of Purplish Red over pure Red.
In person it looks roaring stoplight red, and I see no hint of a secondary modifying hue.

Sure it's cool to own a tiny sample of the most rare of all diamond hues but being more rare does not make it more beautiful, just more of an oddity.
Practically speaking it's so small, and being a radiant the facets are exceedingly small.
Both of these make it not one of my best light-performing diamonds.
It's not so dark that light cannot get out but I just wish it was larger.
It has some scintillation, but it's forte is it's screaming red hue.

In spite of its size, I do enjoy it immensely, especially how it rounds out the rainbow collection.
To think it came right out of the earth this color and has all the remarkable properties of a real diamond is a wondrous thing.
Investment-wise I actually do not know.

We all know we must not think of diamonds as investments since we buy at retail and sell at wholesale but people might think that pure natural red, being the most rare, will rise in value more than other hues.
Keep in mind this may be cancelled out by their MUCH higher initial price; the price of my 10-point Red diamond was about what a 2012 entry-level Lexus lists for today.

Of course I hope it goes up in value (or loses value less), but because of how price varies with hue maybe all FCDs are an equally good (or equally poor) "investments".
With FCDs of the rare colors there are so few samples to offer data points to analyze, and some may have been purchased at higher or lower prices than "average", whatever that is.

Are you considering buying a Red diamond?

 

[justginger]

Thank you for the lengthy and photo-assisted response. I agree that a group shot illustrates coloration well, with many subjects of reference. I still think your smallest stone is one of the most remarkable, it always stands out to me.

I am considering a teeny, tiny purplish red. The vendor photo is spectacular. So is the price. I am trying to take the time to analyze if it is "worth it," whatever that may mean. Is it worth sacrificing a kitchen renovation? A trip to Africa (or two!)? Will it "pay off" - in enjoyment or perhaps revenue in another 20 years? You know, all the tough questions when you're considering spending a boatload on an entirely frivolous purchase.

 

[sonnyjane]

Sorry to threadjack but Kenny, do you have a more recent "rainbow" shot? The one I have seen on here seems to be missing a few of your stones?

 

[kenny]

Sorry to threadjack but Kenny, do you have a more recent "rainbow" shot? The one I have seen on here seems to be missing a few of your stones?

The first pic above, with 13 stones, is the entire collection today.
I spent some time exchanging/upgrading stones, so any FCDs that do not appear in the first pic above were returned for either refund, credit or exchange for another FCD.

The goal was to create the most complete rainbow with the fewest and smallest but best stones I could afford.
Ideally they'd all the be same shape and weight but FCDs are too rare; you take what you can get.
If something comes along there may be future changes.

 

[sonnyjane]

Sorry to threadjack but Kenny, do you have a more recent "rainbow" shot? The one I have seen on here seems to be missing a few of your stones?

The top pic with 13 stones is the entire current collection.
I spent time exchanging/upgrading stones so any FCDs that do not appear in the first pic above were returned for either refund, credit or exchange for another FCD.
The goal was to create the most complete rainbow with the fewest and smallest but best stones I could afford.
If something comes along there may be future changes.

Ha I'm just a sucker for actually seeing them set up in their ROY G. BIV order, like the circle pic, that's all

 

[kenny]

Here they all are in rainbow order, but they are not sharply in focus because the glass cover of the case blurs the focus a bit.

I'll have to take another sharper one soon with them all placed in salt and closer together.
Also, that heart and yellow asscher need to trade places.
Actually the heart doesn't even belong here since I gave it to my SO.

 

[sonnyjane]

Here they all are in rainbow order, but they are not sharply in focus because the glass cover of the case blurs the focus a bit.

I'll have to take another sharper one soon with them all placed in salt and closer together.
Also, that heart and yellow asscher need to trade places.
Actually the heart doesn't even belong here since I gave it to my SO.

Hehe thanks for pandering to my request

 

[webdiva]

Swooon! That is so gorgeous, Kenny! To think those are all natural stones the earth created! Part of the reason I love diamonds and other natural stones (inclusions are fun!)!

 

[madelise]

I love all your photos, Kenny! Your collection is beautiful!

 

[isaku5]

What a beautiful collection! I'm sure you could stare at them all day long.

 

[AN0NYM0US]

Kenny I found this 11 month old post and it shows an increase in red diamond prices similar to yours. I know they are evaluated and priced on a stone by stone basis, so YMMV

Your Post: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/who-wants-a-red-diamond.167338/

Current Leibish Listing: http://www.fancydiamonds.net/view_diamonds/5571.htm

Oct 2011 Price: $58,200
Sept 2012 Price: $65,100

12% increase in 11 months...not too shabby, plus I hear pinks and reds (maybe blues this year) prices tend to go up after the Argyle tender.

 

[kenny]

Thanks all.

Yeah, it's cool the Red has gone up in retail value.
I think white diamonds didn't go up 12% in the last 11 months.

 

[Rockdiamond]

It is truly an amazing collection.
Have you ever thought of setting any, or all of them Kenny?

 

[kenny]

It is truly an amazing collection.
Have you ever thought of setting any, or all of them Kenny?

Thanks RD.
Some day I may put the 0.26 ct., VS2, Fancy Intense Green OEC into a ring.
Overall, it's my favorite.
It even has nice light performance ... actually, for an FCD it has astonishing light performance.

 

[iLander]

Wow!!

Love the green!

Plus this will help me bump this thread for nefarious purposes . . .

 

[mimi72]

My favorite is the aqua blue teardrop shaped one! Stunning!

But then a paraiba tourmaline is on my long term wish list, and I think it reminds me of one of these...(diamond's better of course)