natural colored diamonds

by DiamanteBlu » Jan 8, 2008

I would want to see it to see how the inclusions looked.

I saw a couple of green diamonds this weekend. One was a high clarity [can''t remember - either VS or VVS] and was a nice lime gree with fluoresence so it looke kinda neony. It was probably on the order of 3 or 4 carats. There was a second stone that was an obvious I1 stone. It was a bit smaller. The inclusions were visible and it didn''t look too good.

 

by DiamanteBlu » Jan 8, 2008

Beats me. The pieces I was looking at were larger. You might want to try looking at these sites to get a ballpark:
http://www.fancydiamonds.net/
http://www.icestore.com/
http://www.fancycolordiamond.net/

Hope this helps.

 

by DBM » Jan 8, 2008

clarity is less of an emphasis with fancy colors than whites generally speaking. whether it''s ultimately an "issue" is really up to the individual customer. some it bothers spending alot of money for and having inclusions in. others it doesn''t.

 

by kroshka » Jan 8, 2008

What kind of inclusions are they? Since the inclusions are in the corner, you would also want to be careful that it isn't something like a feather that breaks the surface or a big indented natural.

Would love to see a photo of the stone to see the color if you have one.

 

by kroshka » Jan 8, 2008

It is a very pretty green! Do you plan to have it set? It could be the angle that the photo was taken at, but why does it seem like part of the stone was photo-shopped out or is missing? See circled areas.

Have you seen the stone in person or have additional photos? I would also make sure there is a good return policy before purchasing. I''ve purchased other fancy colors before that looked significantly different to me once I saw them in person. Also, sometimes the inclusions may not look as obvious in the photo because of lighting and angles.

 

by Lorelei » Jan 9, 2008

Ditto Dan, I have heard this too, although I am not in the trade, I have read that with fancy colours, the colour is the main thing and deal maker/ breaker, it is up to the purchaser whether the clarity is an issue if it is on the lower end of the scale.

 

by diagem » Jan 9, 2008

D md,

As kroshka mentioned:

"...I've purchased other fancy colors before that looked significantly different to me once I saw them in person..."

Please put an emphasis on this line!!! When it comes to Fancy Colored Diamonds..., it would be extremely rare for the color of the stone's appearance taken via photograph to equal its true "live" color appearance!!!

If the TRUE color of the Diamond in subject is as displayed in the above picture..., It would be considered an extremely rare and valuable sought after color..., and the clarity would be pretty much neglectible. (if not too bad!!!)

 

by strmrdr » Jan 9, 2008

Good catch it is the result of photo-editing.
Id definatly want more pictures or too see it in person.

 

by elmo » Jan 9, 2008

For something rare unusual and thinly-traded like this shouldn''t you be talking with a specialist like Stephen Hofer or Richard Drucker?

 

by kroshka » Jan 9, 2008

I take it from what you are saying here that maybe you haven''t seen the stone in person with your own eyes? Is the place you are buying from reputable and do they have a return policy? Also, and obviously computer monitors vary, etc, I personally do see why GIA calls it "intense yellowish green". The yellowish tinge is there to me especially with the way the angle the photo was taken at and is more apparent on the left side. Also, are you sure the photo you were given has not been modified in any way? It really shouldn''t have those areas "missing". Do you have other photos you can post of the stone at another angle or in different lights?

I don''t know that you are going to be satisfied with any of the answers you get here in regards to price. Giving a ballpark figure for a rare colored diamond like this is not the same as quoting a ballpark figure for a white diamond. And, most folks are going to feel it would be irresponsible to give a price unless of course they deal with these types of goods all day or specialize in them.

As a consumer myself, all I can say is that natural green diamonds (and ones with colors like this one) are kind of across the board (I''ve seen huge differences in price, but again it''s hard because at any one time there aren''t usually 2 stones that are similar enough to really compare). Clarity for me is somewhat of an issue (I judge it on a stone by stone basis). And while it is true that color is #1, I have to say that if you had 2 stones of the same color intensity, same make, cut, etc but one is an I1+ clarity and the other is say SI1 or better, there will be a significant price difference.

 

by kroshka » Jan 9, 2008

Also forgot to mention something else I feel is important when seeing these kinds of diamonds - many of them don''t sparkle like you might imagine them to. Meaning, it''s hard to capture the color and a colored diamond''s brilliance in a photo. However, it''s definitely a factor to me when I see a stone. I don''t have a very good example documented to illustrate, but I''ll try to explain anyway.

Look at these two pinks. Both are GIA "fancy pink". The stone at the top in person looked a lot more lively and pretty to me versus the one on the bottom. I also feel the top one has a nicer color. I got lucky when I was photographing them, and they both look nice in the photo. However, the one on the bottom in a lot of different lights looked kind of dead, whereas the top one looks attractive in all kinds of lighting conditions (in my opinion).

 

by DiamanteBlu » Jan 9, 2008

Here''s one from one of the links I posted. Similar size, slightly grayer color. You''ll have to call for clarity. $3,450 list.

This is a "Fancy Intense Greenish Yellow" as opposed to "yellowish green". It is 1 carat VS2 and $7,700 list.

This one is smaller and an SI2. $2,450

 

by diagem » Jan 9, 2008

D md,

I honestly think whatever numbers get thrown at you here on this thread will confuse you...
All the examples shown are not comparable to the green you have posted! (nothing personal Blue...)
And again..., I really doubt the actual color of the Diamond is exactly as in the picture..., call me suspicious!

If the color is exactly the same as shown in the above picture..., it is in a different league compared to a grayish tint or even a chameleon!

 

by CaptAubrey » Jan 9, 2008

I agree with Diagem. The other examples mentioned are apples and oranges. There is a big difference in price and rarity between yellowish green and greenish yellow, though the terms may sound like the same thing to a layman.

If the color is accurate, this is an extremely rare stone and it''s worth more or less what someone will pay for it. You would need an expert appraiser to look at it. I have a "ballpark" figure in mind, but I am not comfortable posting it because colored diamonds really have to be seen in person to be fairly evaluated.

I think those "cut-out" areas were reflections that were removed by an amaturish attempt to crop out the background, and the stone indeed looks yellowish green on my monitor. That term just means that it''s located a bit toward yellow in color space rather than being a pure emerald green. It doesn''t mean the stone will have a visible yellow tint to it.

 

by kroshka » Jan 9, 2008

You may already have it, but in case you didn''t know there is a very interesting book by Stephen Hofer - Collecting and Classifying Coloured Diamonds: An Illustrated Study of the Aurora Collection. It''s quite costly at around $300, but I think it''s worth it if you are really into colored diamonds or a serious collector. To supplement this book, I''d also suggest Forever Brilliant : The Aurora Collection of Colored Diamonds. The pictures are amazing in both books.

 

by kroshka » Jan 10, 2008

Hi diamond,md - did it arrive? How does it look in person? If you have time, please also post photos of your other colored diamond goodies!

kroshka

 

by wildkardde » Jan 10, 2008

I must say I recommend the Stephen Hofer book as well. I am most of the way through and am amazed at all the possibilities. The information given is so in depth and well researched.

I can''t wait to see more pictures either!

 

by diagem » Jan 10, 2008

Here is a goody...

The 40.70 carat Dresden Green, the largest and finest natural green diamond ever found, a rare type IIa diamond, the clarity is VS1 and is potentially flawless.
The GIA graded the symmetry good and the polish very good, surprisingly for a diamond cut in the middle of the 18th. Century.

Anyone dare put a value???

 

by kroshka » Jan 10, 2008

How about a Dresdillion dollars?

 

by diagem » Jan 10, 2008

Forget about the Dollar...

Euro''s is the new monetary Gem...